GVC Holdings has bagged three titles at the 2018 EGR Operator Awards for its commitment to customers, further cementing its position as one of the most influential companies in the industry.
Attending the October 25 award ceremony inside London’s Grosvenor House, GVC representatives were up against the great and the good in gaming. Heading into the event, LeoVegas, Sky Betting & Gaming and the MRG Group were leading the shortlist nominations, but it was GVC that shone.
Expanding GVC Shines
As well as taking gold in the Poker and Casino Operator of the Years categories, GVC Holdings took the overall award for Operator of 2018.
The year got off to a positive start for the gaming brand with reported sales for 2017 topping $1.2 billion. Buoyed by that result, GVC completed its much-anticipated takeover of Ladbrokes Coral in March 2018.
With two established brands added to an existing stable of sites that includes Partypoker and Gala Bingo, GVC turned its attention towards the US in the latter half of this year. Following the demise of the Professional And Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the Isle of Man-based business partnered with MGM Resorts.
The $200 million deal was finalized in July and will see GVC embark on a 50/50 partnership designed to make the two companies leaders in the US sports betting market.
Open Ears for Recognition
In between these corporate moves, the achievement that resonated most with judges was GVC’s commitment to customer experiences.
“[GVC] provided many examples of their growth and improving returns from their customers and showed a real mixture of improving the product and customer interaction, stitched together into an overall strategy. What resonated most was the piece about truly understanding the customer,” read the judges’ comments about Partypoker.
Throughout 2017 and 2018, Partypoker has pushed the player-friendly angle. As well as recruiting pros such as Isaac Haxton and Patrick Leonard to act as ambassadors as well as advisors, the poker operator launched a new tournament series.
Announced in January 2017, Partypoker Live is headed by John Duthie who vowed to listen to players when he took charge in February 2017.
“I believe there is a gap in the market for an operator whose primary focus is poker and who will listen to, and work with, the poker community as this was something that was absolutely key to the growth and success of the EPT,” Duthie wrote on the Partypoker blog in 2017.
Despite being in a fledging state, the tour has struck a chord with players and the judges at this year’s EGR Operator Awards.
