2026 IAG ACADEMY IR AWARDS
The Official Nominees have now been announced
In accordance with awards process, the Official Nominees were announced on Monday 17 August 2026. The Official Nominees will have until Tuesday 1 September to submit documentation supporting their nomination.
The Official Nominees for 2026 are below.
Division 1: NON-GAMING OPERATOR OFFERINGS
Elements of Asia-Pacific based integrated resorts other than gaming.
1. Most Instagrammable IR read more ...
Awarded to the integrated resort with the most striking exterior and interior visual appeal in the Asia-Pacific region. This award acknowledges broad design and features and sheer overall impact externally, as well as the ambience of internal spaces.
- Galaxy Macau
- Grand Lisboa Palace
- Solaire Resort Quezon City
- The Londoner Macao
- The Parisian Macao
2. Best IR Resort Attraction read more ...
Awarded to the best non-gaming attraction in an integrated resort in the Asia-Pacific region, judged on innovation, popularity and the extent to which the product attracts guests to the resort and diversifies its offerings. Any offering in an IR other than gaming is eligible, including F&B outlets, retail offerings, entertainment, spa and wellness, and architectural spaces.
- City of Dreams Macau for House of Dancing Water
- Hoiana Resort & Golf for Hoiana Shores Golf Club
- Marina Bay Sands for Sands SkyPark
- NUSTAR Resort Cebu for NUSTAR Skydeck
- Paradise City for Cimer
- Resorts World Sentosa for Singapore Oceanarium
3. Best Overall Retail Offering by an IR read more ...
Awarded to the Asia Pacific-based integrated resort with the best overall retail offering. Criteria include the array of retail options on offer, general appeal of the facilities provided and popularity among shoppers.
- Galaxy Macau for Galaxy Promenade
- Marina Bay Sands for Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
- Resorts World Sentosa for WEAVE
- Sands China for Shoppes at Venetian
- Solaire Resort Entertainment City for Shoppes at Solaire
4. Best Overall F&B Offering by an IR read more ...
Awarded to the Asia Pacific-based integrated resort acknowledged as having the best overall food and beverage offering across its total footprint, taking into consideration the breadth of offering as well as the overall quality of all F&B outlets at the resort.
- City of Dreams Macau
- Galaxy Macau
- Grand Lisboa
- Marina Bay Sands
- Solaire Resort Quezon City
5. Best Facilities Management in an IR read more ...
Awarded to the Asia Pacific-based integrated resort that demonstrates the highest standard of facilities management across its property. Criteria include operational efficiency, maintenance standards, cleanliness, guest comfort, sustainability practices, safety, reliability and the overall ability to maintain a complex IR environment at a consistently world-class level.
- Crown Sydney
- Galaxy Macau
- Marina Bay Sands
- MGM COTAI
- The Venetian Macao
6. Best Hotel in an IR read more ...
Awarded to the best hotel offering in an Asia Pacific-based integrated resort, taking all relevant aspects into consideration. Criteria include range and quality of rooms and suites, facilities on offer and overall service provided.
- Crown Sydney
- Galaxy Macau for Capella at Galaxy Macau
- Grand Lisboa Palace for The Palazzo Versace Macau
- Marina Bay Sands
- Paradise City for Art Paradiso
- Wynn Palace
Division 2: GAMING OFFERINGS
Gaming elements of Asia-Pacific based integrated resorts.
7. Best Slot Solution read more ...
Awarded to the industry supplier with the slot solution acknowledged as the best in the industry. Criteria include innovation, player appeal and proven performance across key Asia-Pacific markets.
- Aristocrat for Dragon Link
- Aruze for Summit Reach
- IGT for Rising Rockets Link
- Jumbo Technology for Mǎn Fú Bǎo
- Konami for Fortune Hearts
- Light & Wonder for Super Hot Flaming Pots
8. Best ETG Solution read more ...
Awarded to the industry supplier with the electronic table game solution acknowledged as the best in the industry. Criteria include innovation, player appeal and proven performance across key Asia-Pacific markets.
- Alfastreet V8 Sicbo/Craps
- EGT for Compact 6 Roulette
- Interblock for Dragon SicBo
- Novomatic for NOVO LINE Novo Unity II
- Spintec for Spintec Charisma
9. Best Slot Game Design Studio read more ...
Awarded for the slot game design studio acknowledged as producing the most outstanding game content for Asia-Pacific markets. Criteria include creativity, mathematics, visual and audio design, player engagement, cultural relevance, game performance and the studio’s ability to deliver consistently compelling slot products.
- Aristocrat for HRG Studios
- Jumbo Technology for Jumbo
- Konami for Konami Studio
- Light & Wonder for ELK Studios
10. Best Table Game Solution read more ...
Awarded to the industry supplier with the table game solution acknowledged as the best in the industry. Criteria includes innovation, player appeal, operational efficiency, ease of deployment and proven performance across key Asia-Pacific markets.
- Angel for Smart Table System
- LT Game for Live Multi-Game System
- Tangam for Table Games Yield Management
- Walker Digital Table Systems for Perfect Pay
11. Best System Solution read more ...
Awarded to the industry supplier with the best system solution as acknowledged by the industry. Criteria include ease of use, value, features and quality of management reports.
- ACE Systems for ACE Casino Management System
- EGT for Spider CMS
- IGT for IGT Advantage
- Konami for SYNKROS
- Novomatic for myACP Casino Management System
12. Best IR Gaming Floor read more ...
Awarded to the IR operator with the most outstanding gaming floor in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Galaxy Macau
- Marina Bay Sands
- MGM COTAI
- Solaire Resort Entertainment City
- The Venetian Macao

Division 3: ONLINE GAMING OFFERINGS
Brought to you by Complete iGaming.
13. Best Live Dealer Offering read more ...
Awarded for the best live dealer offering serving Asia-Pacific markets. Criteria include game range, streaming quality, dealer professionalism, user experience, localization, reliability, innovation and the overall ability to deliver an engaging and trusted live casino product.
- Bally’s Colombo for Ballysbet
- Casino Plus for Casino Plus Live Dealer
- Evolution
- MT Live for MT Live Interactive Live Dealer Experience
- SA Gaming
14. Best Electronic Slot Offering read more ...
Awarded for the best electronic slot offering serving Asia-Pacific markets. Criteria include breadth and quality of game content, player appeal, platform performance, user experience, localization, innovation and demonstrated popularity among online slot players.
- Amusnet for Candy Palace 1000
- JILI for JILI Slots
- Light & Wonder for OpenGaming System
- SimplePlay for SimplePlay Slots Games
15. Best iGaming Innovation read more ...
Awarded to the iGaming operator or supplier responsible for the most outstanding recent innovation serving Asia-Pacific markets. This may include product, platform, technology, payments, compliance, responsible gaming, marketing, data or operational innovation, judged on originality, effectiveness, scalability and positive impact on the iGaming sector.
- Casino Plus for Bathala
- Crucial Compliance for Markers of Harm
- DigiPlus for Homegrown Livestream Digital Bingo and Perya Games
- QTech Games for QTech Hybrid
- Solaire for FUNalomax
- Sumsub for Non-Documentary Verification
16. Best iGaming Supplier read more ...
Awarded to the iGaming supplier offering the most outstanding products and/or services to Asia-Pacific-facing iGaming operators over the past year. Criteria include product quality, innovation, reliability, service delivery, market relevance, commercial performance and overall contribution to the growth and development of the iGaming industry.
- Amusnet
- EGT Digital
- Omniplay
- Pronet Gaming
- QTech Games
- Sumsub
17. Best iGaming Operator read more ...
Awarded to the iGaming operator judged to have delivered the strongest overall performance in Asia-Pacific-facing online gaming over the past year. Criteria include product quality, customer experience, brand strength, innovation, compliance, responsible gaming, market growth and overall operational excellence.
- 747
- Casino Plus
- DigiPlus Interactive Corp
- FUNaloMAX
Division 4: CORPORATE AWARDS (Open to Operators and Suppliers)
Elements that relate to overall governance and activities of companies that operate Asia-Pacific based integrated resort businesses, and those that supply them.
18. Best Individual CSR Initiative read more ...
Awarded to the Asia-Pacific integrated resort operator or industry supplier that developed the best single CSR initiative over the past year, judged on innovation and positive impact for the community.
- Casino Plus for Project Bigkis
- Galaxy Entertainment Group for Sports for Good Community Program
- NagaWorld for Clean and Green School Programme
- NUSTAR Resort Cebu for Project Anahaw
- Sands China for Sands Shopping Carnival
- Tecnet for “Small Actions. Lasting Impact.”
19. Best Overall CSR Program read more ...
Awarded to the Asia-Pacific integrated resort operator or industry supplier that has offered the strongest overall contribution in all areas of corporate social responsibility, with the most positive impact for the communities in which it operates as well as broader societies in the Asia-Pacific region.
- FBM for FBM Foundation
- Galaxy Entertainment Group for Inspire Youth Program
- Jumbo for Jumbo Together – Community Impact Program
- Marina Bay Sands for Sands Cares
- Melco Resorts & Entertainment for Simple Acts of Kindness
- Resorts World Sentosa for RWS Cares
20. Best Workplace read more ...
Awarded to the Asia-Pacific integrated resort operator or industry supplier that provides the best workplace for its employees. Criteria include overall corporate culture, training, workplace health and safety, and opportunities provided for career advancement.
- Angel
- Hann Casino Resort
- Interblock
- Sands China
- Solaire Resort Quezon City
21. Best Marketing Program read more ...
Awarded to the Asia-Pacific integrated resort operator or industry supplier whose overall brand marketing program best personifies its unique selling proposition in a creative, impactful and effective manner. Careful consideration will be given to the breadth of communications tools deployed.
- Aristocrat
- Bloomberry Resorts Corporation
- Galaxy Entertainment Group
- Marina Bay Sands
- Melco Resorts & Entertainment
Division 5: INDUSTRY AWARDS
Elements relating to the wider industry of and serving integrated resorts in the Asia-Pacific region.
22. Best IR or Supplier Solution read more ...
Awarded to the Asia-Pacific integrated resort operator or industry supplier that has developed the best industry land-based solution. This solution can serve either gaming or non-gaming operations and can be a long-standing solution.
- Alfastreet for V8 Sicbo/Craps
- Angel for Table Games Supplies
- Aristocrat for Dragon Link
- Interblock for Stadium and Pulse Arena
- Walker Digital Table Systems for Perfect Pay
23. Best IR or Supplier Innovation read more ...
Awarded to the Asia-Pacific integrated resort operator or industry supplier that has developed the best recent industry land-based innovation. This innovation can serve either gaming or non-gaming operations and should be a relatively new development.
- Aristocrat for Baron Upright
- Cammegh for Mercury 360 RRS – Random Rota Speed
- Gameworkz for Social Gaming Ecosystem
- Konami for SYNK Vision
- Marina Bay Sands for Autonomous Mobile Robots
- ReadyLinks for Comprehensive Smart IR Networking Solutions
24. Best Industry Supplier read more ...
Awarded to the industry supplier offering the most outstanding products and/or services to the Asia-Pacific integrated resort industry over the past year, considering all relevant factors including product range, service delivery and value to the industry as a whole.
- Angel
- Aristocrat
- Casino Plus
- EGT
- Interblock
- Light & Wonder
25. Best Regional Asia-Pacific IR read more ...
Awarded to the best integrated resort (with gaming) in the Asia-Pacific region not located in the multibillion-dollar investment hubs of Macau and Singapore.
- Crown Sydney
- Hoiana Resort & Golf
- Newport World Resorts
- NUSTAR Resort Cebu
- Paradise City
- Solaire Resort Entertainment City
26. Best Integrated Resort read more ...
Awarded to the most outstanding integrated resort (with gaming) in the entire Asia-Pacific region.
- Galaxy Macau
- Grand Lisboa Palace
- Marina Bay Sands
- Studio City
- The Venetian Macao
- Wynn Palace
Hall of Fame
Rising Stars read more ...
Awarded to three industry performers turning 40 or younger in the year of the Awards (date of birth 1 Jan 1986 or later), who have demonstrated consistent leadership and innovation, with great potential for more to come. Previous IAG Academy Rising Star Award winners are ineligible.
- Matthew Ankenmann (Tangam)
- Michael Barsin (Ainsworth)
- Erwin Desembrana (Angel)
- Maksim Gojković (Spintec)
- Jayden Ieong (LT Game)
- Eren Kereci (Tecnet)
- Yaping Kitamura (ReadyLinks)
- Gladys Lei (IGT)
- Mariana Manchina (EGT)
- Meisy Ng (APE)
Industry Icons read more ...
Awarded to three senior industry executives who have demonstrated consistent contribution to the overall growth and success of the industry with lasting results, through great leadership, innovation and/or other activities, and who have gained the respect of their industry peers.
- Stephen Ho (Macau Slot)
- Michael Hu (Interblock)
- Keijiro Kan (Angel)
- Tony Macmillan (Bally’s Casino Colombo)
- Panos Makridis (MGM China)
- Chen Si (Resorts World Sentosa)
- Alan Teo (Hoiana)
- Han Tian (MGM China)
- Harold Tsakmaklis (Crown Resorts)
Industry Legend read more ...
Awarded to just one person each year, this award recognizes a senior executive who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision and impact over the decades, leaving a lasting mark on the industry. It is intended for an individual who has spent a significant portion of their career leading day-to-day industry operations: driving strategy, motivating teams, and navigating complex challenges, rather than someone in a founder or owner role. The Industry Legend will have consistently contributed to the growth, innovation and success of the business or businesses they have worked in, as well as the broader sector, through hands-on, executive-level leadership.
- Grant Bowie
- Linda Chen
- Rui José da Cunha
- Robert Goldstein
- Ken Jolly