The ‘Landmarks’ recognise the extraordinary achievements and successes of individuals and organisations in the gambling space and are based on nominations received from within the industry.

The MERKUR recipients were led by UK General Manager Sascha Blodau, who accepted the Award in recognition of the industry acclaimed MERKUR 360 Program which has raised the bar in terms of safer gambling undertakings in the low stake low prize high street gaming entertainment sector. MERKUR’s 360 Program has pioneered the City and Guilds assured training of 200 Venue Managers, the introduction of Customer Experience Groups in which players discuss their personal gambling management techniques with the insight fed back into team development, its self-exclusion system and age verification protocols including the MERKUR Think 25 Policy.

Matt Bicknell, joint Managing Director of Regal Gaming Technologies was the next to accept an Award which was made in recognition of how the machine operator’s investment in Digital Transformation has been deployed to deliver best in breed business intelligence to pubs throughout the country at the same time as helping to reduce its carbon footprint.

Nigel Davis, MERKUR UK’s Head of Gaming was awarded a Landmark following an amazing 42-year single company career during which he has played a pivotal role in the development of the UK machine sector including the evolution of Section 16 and 21 categories, advances in data retrieval and his contributions to key industry standards notably the Ticket In Ticket Out protocol established by the Gambling Business Group.

Explaining their significance Clarion Gaming’s Stuart Hunter said: “The purpose of the Landmark Awards is to recognise those people and organisations that continue to make a difference as well as the reputation that ICE enjoys as being the fulcrum of positive change both during good and in challenging times. The Landmarks are a true celebration of excellence and I congratulate the team at MERKUR UK!”

Sascha Blodau added: “I am delighted that MERKUR UK has been recognised in such a way. Our aim is to demonstrate how it is possible to combine being a successful commercial organisation with being a good corporate citizen. I believe that the contributions that we are making to raising standards across the board not least the way in which safer gambling has become part of the MERKUR UK culture are a testament to that progressive philosophy.”