Due to the move of the 2020 Casino Marketing & Technology Conference going to a virtual platform, the 2020 Romero Awards will not be taking place this year. The Romero Awards will resume in 2021 with winners announced at the live Casino Marketing & Technology Conference scheduled for July 2021 in Las Vegas. More information will provided in the new year.
Eligibility:
Open to the following types of properties: Class III and Class II casinos, racinos, card clubs, VLT and slot route facilities. Submissions may come from casinos, their advertising agencies or from other marketing vendors such as direct mail companies, PR firms, CRM companies, etc. International casino companies and non-North American casinos are also eligible.
Principles:
In the spirit of John Romero’s more than 45-year crusade for measurable, accountable marketing expenditures, all entries must include the cost of the promotion or event and the revenue generated. Each entry must be approved by the general manager of the property.
Casino Categories:
There are two casino categories for the Romeros:
- Smaller to mid-size casinos and gaming facilities (less than 1,500 total gaming positions)
- Larger casinos (1,500 or more gaming positions)
Award Categories:
Diamond, Gold and Silver
Romeros may be awarded in the following Casino Marketing Categories:
- Direct Mail Marketing (single or campaign)
- Community Relations (charity, cooperative business programs)
- Casino Floor Promotion
- VIP Promotion (for top-rated players)
- Online Marketing (website and social media)
- NEW CATEGORY: COVID-19 Re-Opening Initiatives*
*Recognizing the best marketing initiatives connected to the impacts of the pandemic
Entry Limitations:
Casino organizations may submit up to three (3) Romero entries in any single casino marketing category.
Judging Criteria:
Entries will be judged on the following:
- Was the marketing tactic measurable and accountable, and did it stay within the final approved budget?
- Did that marketing tactic result in a meaningful increase in revenue?
- Were the strategy and tactics behind the entry different and innovative?
- Did the promotion or event result in a distinct competitive advantage?
- Did the promotion or event enhance the casino’s relationship with customers, employees and/or communities?
The Judges:
The judging criteria and format is rigorous and thorough. As a matter of fact, the hand-picked team of judges has returned year after year so competitors know that the process has been incredibly consistent.
In Support of Your Entry:
In addition to the brief description of the promotion in the entry, you may back up your submissions with photographs, video and advertising of all types by uploading files with your submission, not to exceed five minutes in length. You may also submit additional materials including, but not limited to – collateral materials, proforma overview, results evaluation or copy.
2019 Romero Award Winners
Casino Floor Promotion
Large Casino
Diamond: Snoqualmie Casino, $10,000,000 Anniversary Celebration
Gold: Snoqualmie Casino, $1,000,000 Cruisin’ Into Summer
Gold: Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, Wheel or Deal Drawings
Gold: Westgate Casino Resort, March Madness: Play+ Concierge
Silver: Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, $100,000 Anchor Away Drawings
Silver: Niagara Casinos, Hot Gifts Giveaway – Money Booth Edition
Silver: Fallsview Casino Resort, Fallsview Casino Resort’s Chinese New Year – Year of the Pig Promotion
Silver: Gila River Hotels & Casinos, The Jacket Giveaway
Casino Floor Promotion
Small/Mid-size Casino
Gold: Painted Hand Casino, King and Queen of the Mechanical Bull
Gold: Sevenwinds Casino, Lodge & Conference Center, Experience Something New
Community Relations (Charity, Cooperative Business Programs)
Large Casino
Diamond: Gila River Hotels & Casinos, Celebrating 25 Years with Gila River
Gold: Snoqualmie Casino, Snoqualmie Casino donates $27,500 to local non-profits on behalf of team members
Silver: Gila River Hotels & Casinos, Gila River Cares Night of Giving
Community Relations (Charity, Cooperative Business Programs)
Small/Mid-size Casino
Gold: Gold River Casino, Back to School Supply Drive
Direct Mail Marketing (Single or Campaign)
Large Casino
Diamond: Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, Bankers Bucks
Direct Mail Marketing (Single or Campaign)
Small/Mid-size Casino
Silver: Celebrity Cruises/Fortunes Casino, Alaska Sailings Direct Mail
Electronic Marketing (Email and Mobile)
Large Casino
Silver: Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, Rivers Bet Ticket Launch
Electronic Marketing (Email and Mobile)
Small/Mid-size Casino
No awards given for this category.
Online Marketing (Website and Social Media)
Large Casino
Diamond: Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Resort, Pro Football Frenzy and Pro Football Playoff Challenge
Silver: Gila River Hotels & Casinos, A World Record Bingo Extravaganza
Online Marketing (Website and Social Media)
Small/Mid-size Casino
No awards given for this category.
VIP Promotion (For Top Rated Players), Large Casino
Diamond: Snoqualmie Casino, Get In The Game Invitational – Seahawks Partnership VIP Event
Diamond: Gila River Hotels & Casinos, NYE James Bond Golden Gala
Gold: Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, Surf & Turf Drawing
Gold: Gila River Hotels & Casinos, A Taste of Little Italy – The Feast of San Gennaro
Gold: Rivers Casino Pittsburgh, Baskets & Brackets Event
Silver: Fallsview Casino Resort, Haunted High
Silver: Resorts World Catskills Casino Resort, Glitz & Glam New Year’s Eve Soirée
Silver: Gila River Hotels & Casinos, “Run for the Roses” Kentucky Derby Viewing Party
VIP Promotion (For Top Rated Players)
Small/Mid-size Casino
Gold: Batavia Downs Gaming, Fall Ball
Silver: Lake of the Torches Resort Casino, VIP Appreciation – Willy Wonka