Customer Loyalty Program of the Year 2026

J&J Gaming - Player PAYBACK®  - Player PAYBACK® on the J&J Gaming App is the central focus of the patron experience in Illinois, designed to enhance the patron journey while providing deeper insight. Through continuous, real-time data, the program tracks on-site check-ins, validates foot traffic into gaming areas and drives engagement through tiered rewards, prize redemptions, sweepstakes and customized Location Rewards and Specials & Events. Over the past year, Player PAYBACK® has evolved with the addition of Achievement Badges to incentivize repeat visitation, Refer & Earn to drive peer-to-peer acquisition, and expanded e-gift card options to increase redemption flexibility. Player PAYBACK® drove a 49.8% increase in app downloads from Q1 ‘25 to Q1 ‘26, reflecting new patron acquisition. During the same period, participating locations offering Location Rewards experienced nearly 6% YoY growth in Net Terminal Income, supported by increased daily check-ins and funds-in activity.

MGM Resorts - MGM Rewards - MGM Rewards continued to redefine casino loyalty by introducing a series of member-focused enhancements that deliver value both on and beyond the casino floor. In 2025, it launched Milestone Rewards, giving members new benefits between tier levels, including Rollover Tier Credits that accelerate progress toward elite status. MGM also expanded its partnership with Marriott Bonvoy, extending tier matching benefits across more than 10,000 hotels worldwide, while enhancing cruise benefits with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, including new onboard FreePlay and expanded Annual Cruise Benefits. Additional innovations, including the launch of an MGM Rewards eGift Card and the Iconic World Elite Mastercard, provide members with even more ways to earn, redeem, and enjoy rewards across MGM's integrated resort portfolio and beyond.

Caesars Entertainment - Caesars Rewards - Caesars Rewards continues to set the benchmark for customer loyalty by delivering seamless benefits across gaming, hospitality, dining, entertainment, and digital channels at more than 50 destinations nationwide. Over the past year, the program introduced the Caesars Rewards Prestige Visa Signature card, giving members accelerated paths to Tier Status alongside benefits including complimentary hotel stays, dining credits, Slot Play, and enhanced earning opportunities. Caesars also expanded redemption options through the new Caesars Rewards Shop, allowing members to use Reward Credits for Bonus Spins and Casino Bonus Cash directly within the Caesars Palace Online Casino app. By continually enhancing how members earn, redeem, and enjoy rewards both on property and online, Caesars Rewards remains one of the gaming industry's most comprehensive and innovative loyalty programs.

Hard Rock International - Unity - Unity by Hard Rock brings together gaming, hospitality, entertainment, dining, retail, and travel within a single global rewards ecosystem spanning more than 200 Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming locations. Over the past year, the program further enhanced the member experience through the full integration of Hard Rock Bet, allowing players to seamlessly earn Tier Credits across retail and online play while transferring points between digital and on-property rewards. Unity also expanded its reciprocal partnership with Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, giving members exclusive benefits on land and at sea, while continuing to reward everyday spend through the Unity Mastercard. At the conclusion of 2025, Hard Rock Bet began Unity by Hard Rock Week, featuring double reward points and double tier credits for online casino players. 

Yaamava' Resort & Casino at San Manuel - Club Serrano - The signature loyalty program of Yaamava' Resort & Casino delivers highly personalized rewards, exclusive access, and elevated experiences across gaming, entertainment, dining, hospitality, and travel. Members enjoy access to more than 1,500 promotions each year, including headline-worthy prizes such as a 1987 Buick GNX hand-picked by Jay Leno, a rare replica of the infamous Ferrari from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, luxury watches and priceless memorabilia. To celebrate Yaamava's 40th anniversary, one Club Serrano member won a prize package worth more than $1.6m, including travel for life, a mortgage payoff, and a brand-new Ferrari. Members also enjoy exclusive benefits at premier partner destinations, including Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas and Monarch Beach Golf Links in California. 

Live! Casinos & Hotels - Live! Rewards® Players Club - Live! Rewards is the gold standard for casino loyalty, multi-tiered, cross-property, and built around real guest value. With over two million members and counting, the program has driven measurable retention across Live!'s five properties, rewarding members through Comps, Flex Points, and Tier Boosters redeemable across gaming, dining, hotel, and retail. The program continues to evolve through its mobile app, which features digital hotel key access, an exclusive veteran membership tier with special benefits, ensuring consistent value whether a member is in Philadelphia, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Louisiana, or Virginia.

Station Casinos - my|Rewards Boarding Pass - my|Rewards Boarding Pass continues to be one of Las Vegas' leading casino loyalty programs, rewarding members across gaming, dining, hospitality, entertainment, and sports betting throughout the Station Casinos portfolio. The program further enhanced the member experience through the STN Mobile app, giving guests real-time access to rewards balances, tier status, exclusive offers, a digital Boarding Pass, and STN Cash for cardless slot funding and digital wallet functionality. Members earn and redeem points seamlessly across casino gaming, restaurants, hotels and amenities, while enjoying tier-based benefits ranging from complimentary hotel stays and concert tickets to cruise rewards, VIP services, and exclusive promotions. By combining a comprehensive rewards program with an intuitive digital experience, my|Rewards Boarding Pass continues to drive engagement and loyalty among one of the industry's strongest regional customer bases.

Fanatics - FanCash - FanCash connects betting with the wider Fanatics ecosystem. It enables users to earn and redeem value as they shop, bet, and collect across Fanatics' retail, collectibles, and sportsbook & casino businesses, seamlessly integrating loyalty across the company's diverse portfolio. Over the past year, Fanatics further enhanced the program through personalized promotions, including a 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign offering new customers up to $1,000 in matched FanCash. The company also partnered with Pointsville to launch new capabilities for FanCash distribution. Through the Pointsville platform, organizations can distribute FanCash through customized campaigns and promotions using a variety of digital and in-person delivery mechanisms - including unique codes, links, QR codes, and more.

Circa Resort & Casino - Club One - Club One rewards members across gaming, hospitality, dining, entertainment, and sports throughout Circa Resort & Casino, The D Las Vegas and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino. Members earn and redeem points across casino play, hotel stays, restaurants, bars, and Circa Sports, creating a seamless loyalty experience across one of downtown Las Vegas' leading resort portfolios. Over the past year, Club One continued to enhance member value through exclusive promotions, tier-based rewards, and access to premium experiences across the properties. By combining generous rewards with one of Las Vegas' most distinctive integrated entertainment destinations, Club One continues to drive customer engagement and repeat visitation.

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas - Cherry Rewards - Last year, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas debuted its Cherry Rewards program, delivering a fully integrated rewards experience across gaming, dining, hospitality, retail, and resort amenities. Members earn and redeem points on almost every dollar spent throughout the resort while enjoying exclusive room rates, cabana access, and priority access to shows and concerts. The program features five reward tiers, ranging from Hello to All-Access, unlocking benefits including priority cashier access, reserved slot machines, preferred table games, and other exclusive privileges. In 2026, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas further enhanced the program with the launch of Cherry Rewards Local, an exclusive offering for Nevada residents featuring tier-based gaming point multipliers, expanded resort benefits, and exclusive dining and hotel offers, further strengthening engagement with the local market.