The American Gambling Awards is scheduled in September, with an invitation-only celebration in November – and plenty of industry bigwigs will be there, along with the recipients for different award categories, including Online Casino of the Year, Online Sportsbook of the Year, and so much more. So it comes as no surprise that the trophy, a golden eagle statuette, gets a much-talked-about revamp - and the concept, from design to inception, is as symbolic as they come.

Whenever VP of Sales Larry Maloney gazes upon the Golden Eagle trophy, he sees more than just an award; he sees a beautiful icon of professional excellence. As the VP of Sales of Society Awards, Maloney's admiration for the trophy is deeply personal. Society Awards, a US firm renowned for crafting prestigious awards for events such as the Emmys, the Golden Globes, and MTV's Video Music Awards, is also the creator of the Golden Eagle, the centerpiece of the annual American Gambling Awards ceremony hosted by the Gambling.com Group.

Set to take place on November 21 in New York, this year's American Gambling Awards will once again honor the top performers in the online gambling industry. The Golden Eagle trophy, an 11-inch, gold-plated figure finished with a special polygon treatment, stands for the digital nature of the industry. The base of the trophy features a stack of casino chips, also gold-plated, symbolizing success in the US online gambling sector.

According to Maloney, "The award is a luxury art piece and the ultimate manifestation of accomplishment." He has been with Society Awards since 2010.

Seeking out and rewarding excellence in the field

Since its inception in 2019, the American Gambling Awards have recognized the most outstanding organizations, companies, and executives in the national online gambling industry. The ceremony has actually grown alongside the industry, which has seen significant expansion in recent years. Since 2018, for instance, online sports betting has been legalized in 38 states, and online casino gambling, which includes games like blackjack, slots, and craps, is legal in several states with the potential for further growth in the coming years.

The Gambling.com Group's annual awards ceremony celebrates this innovation and leadership within the regulated US market. Charles Gillespie, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Gambling.com Group, said, "The American Gambling Awards are our love letter to the online gambling industry." He adds that as the focal point of the entire online industry, Gambling.com is proud to highlight these extraordinary successes with an exclusive celebration and a bespoke awards program.

Winners of the awards will receive the Golden Eagle trophy, which will be especially engraved and will serve as a testament to their achievements in the industry.

American Gambling Awards categories and key dates

Nominations for this year's awards are open through August 5 in a total of 12 categories, which include Online Casino of the Year, Gaming Product of the Year, Betting Product of the Year, Online Sportsbook of the Year, Platform Provider of the Year, Data Service Provider of the Year, Payment Service Provider of the Year, Responsible Gaming Award, Dealmaker of the Year, Policymaker of the Year, Regulator of the Year, and C-Suite Gaming Executive of the Year.

Meanwhile, the key dates for the awards are as follows:

August 5, 2024: Nominations due

September 13, 2024: Finalists announced

September 27, 2024: Winners announced

November 21, 2024: Invitation-only celebration

The panel, consisting of 20 judges for the awards, includes prominent leaders such as Adam Greenblatt, BetMGM CEO, Jason Robins, DraftKings CEO, and Amy Howe, FanDuel CEO, all of whom also served as judges in the previous year.

The craftsmanship behind the Golden Eagle

Creating the Golden Eagle trophy involves a meticulous process led by Vicky Fotopoulou, the associate creative director of Society Awards. Fotopoulou, who holds a bachelor's degree in traditional animation along with a Master of Fine Arts degree in computer arts from no less than the School of Visual Arts in New York, uses 3D software and advanced computer design tools to bring the concept to life.

On an episode of "The Edge" at Gambling.com, Fotopoulou described the Golden Eagle as a "very unique piece" with a design that exudes determination. The design process involves ensuring that both the eagle and the gaming chips at the base are realistic yet manufacturable. She went on to say, "Small challenges, but it's all fun."

The American Gambling Awards trophy is proudly made in the US, beginning with the design and culminating in the final assembly at a facility in Oklahoma. This commitment to domestic craftsmanship serves to highlight the trophy's prestige and the high standards of the American Gambling Awards.

As the industry continues to grow and evolve year by year, the Golden Eagle trophy remains a shining symbol of excellence and achievement, celebrating the very best in American online gambling.