Responsible Business of the Year 2026

Aristocrat - Aristocrat continued to deepen the integration of sustainability across its global operations during FY25, building on its leadership in responsible gameplay through its Empowering Safer Play (ESP) strategy. The company made significant progress across all six ESP goals, including launching the Know Your Max website in the US, expanding Flexi Play to more than 11,000 enabled machines, commencing accreditation of its iLottery business under the WLA Safer Gambling Standard, and establishing research partnerships with UNLV's AI Research Hub and ICRG. Aristocrat also remained committed to decarbonization aligned with the 1.5°C pathway, transitioning its Australian head office to 100% renewable electricity, while continuing to invest in its people and communities, with 31.9% women across its global workforce, more than 25% of US leadership positions held by minority groups, and $3.9m invested in community initiatives.

BMM Innovation Group - BMM continues to redefine responsible business in the global gaming industry through its mission to transform gambling compliance and protect all who gamble. Through BMM Testlabs, BIG Cyber, and RG24seven Virtual Training, the company helps regulators, suppliers and operators create safer gaming environments while strengthening player protection across the Americas. During the past year, BMM expanded its responsible gaming and compliance education through RG24seven, offering free and low-cost training covering Responsible Gaming, Anti-Money Laundering, Human Trafficking Awareness, Compliance, and Tribal Gaming. The company also advanced cybersecurity readiness through BIG Cyber's 360-degree security solutions. Beyond that, BMM continued to support Tribal gaming organizations, veterans' charities, first responders, employee development, and community initiatives across the region.

Esportes Gaming Brasil - Grupo Esportes Gaming Brasil demonstrated its commitment to responsible business by delivering social and environmental initiatives alongside its major sponsorships throughout 2026, like the one provided during Carnival when the operator supported the Projeto Costura Cidadã in Olinda, where more than 80 women received training and income opportunities through textile production. The company also provided equipment and infrastructure for licensed street vendors, while recyclable waste collectors received protective equipment, training and a daily bonus. In addition, Esportes Gaming Brasil expanded its environmental program by implementing carbon offsetting measures and responsible waste management across its Carnival activations. 

Wynn Resorts - Wynn Resorts advanced its environmental, social, and governance priorities in 2025 through significant investments in its people, communities, and environmental sustainability. The company expanded employee development through Wynn University, leadership programs, and its scholarship initiative, which has awarded more than $1.4m to over 110 students since 2018, while recognizing long-serving employees with stock grants during Wynn Las Vegas' 20th anniversary. Across North America, Wynn contributed more than $20.6m in charitable donations and $2.6m in in-kind support, while employee-led fundraising benefited more than 300 nonprofit organizations. The company also advanced its environmental goals through increased waste diversion, with Encore Boston Harbor diverting 57% of waste and Wynn Las Vegas diverting 49% from landfills, while continuing its progress toward net-zero emissions by 2050.

Hard Rock International - From annual sustainability initiatives and LGBTQIA+ advocacy during Pride Month to its annual PINKTOBER campaign raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research, Hard Rock’s commitment to people and planet is woven into the fabric of the brand year-round. Over the past year, Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming expanded their global PlayersEdge RG program, increasing access to player education, self-awareness, and support tools, including the Almond Digital Health app and budgeting tools for slot players. The company also strengthened its global anti-human trafficking program, becoming the first gaming company to be recognized by ECPAT International as a Top Member of The Code, while training more than 143,000 team members. The Twentyfour-Seven QR code, now active across 38 properties, further expands access to support resources for vulnerable individuals.

Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation - The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation continues to set the standard for responsible business through transformative philanthropy, economic empowerment, and cultural stewardship. Building on a legacy of more than $475m in charitable giving, including $34m over the past year, the YSMN continues to create opportunities through its four giving pillars focused on education, community wellbeing, and preserving Indigenous culture. During the year, it awarded a landmark $10m grant to SAC Health, expanding healthcare access for underserved communities in San Bernardino. As one of the largest employers in the region, the Nation has generated $3.2bn in statewide economic impact while continuing to preserve Indigenous traditions and strengthen communities through gaming and strategic partnerships.

BetMGM - Over the past year, BetMGM has continued to demonstrate industry leadership through a responsible gambling strategy that combines public awareness, player education, proactive intervention, employee engagement, treatment access, research investment, and industry collaboration. Rather than treating responsible gambling as a regulatory obligation, BetMGM has embedded responsible gambling throughout the player experience and across the organization. Through initiatives including a second national campaign featuring Connor McDavid, expanded GameSense education, enhancements to its Markers of Protection framework and continued investment in independent research, BetMGM has delivered meaningful progress across multiple dimensions of player protection, including measurable increases in the adoption of responsible gambling tools.

FanDuel - In 2026, FanDuel transformed responsible gaming communications through Play With a Plan, a research-backed campaign that encourages customers to make informed decisions to manage their play. Supported by a national media campaign, it promotes tools such as My Spend and deposit, wager and time limits, with the goal of normalizing responsible play as an everyday best practice. This campaign builds on positive results in 2025, including a 41% year-over-year increase in RG tool usage - resulting in the highest rate in company history. FanDuel further strengthened its leadership by welcoming Erin Andrews as an RG Ambassador. Andrews' partnership brings a new dynamic to FanDuel's existing RG Ambassador program, strengthening its ability to connect with a broader audience of sports fans.

Boyd Gaming - As part of its efforts to help local communities, Boyd Gaming Corporation donated more than $215,000 to non-profit organizations across the US through its 18th annual Trees of Hope charitable competition. The 2025 holiday competition involved 175 non-profit organizations across 10 states, with participants decorating trees at Boyd Gaming properties nationwide. The operator also supports its own employees through the Boyd Gaming Team Member Crisis Fund, as well as organizations such as American Red Cross, Global Gaming Women and the ICRG. Boyd Gaming routinely assists with natural disaster relief funds across various US states, including helping organizations based in Hawaii.

Superbet - Throughout 2026, Superbet continued to strengthen its commitment to responsible business by expanding its player protection framework and investing in consumer support. The company strengthened its player protection framework through a dedicated responsible gambling hub and enhanced customer support. Superbet also achieved an 8.1/10 rating on Reclame Aqui, Brazil's largest independent consumer reputation platform, while responding to more than 99% of customer complaints, reflecting its commitment to transparency and customer care. Beyond player protection, the Super Foundation continued to support health, education, and sport, including sponsoring the first-ever South American stop of the Grand Chess Tour Finals in São Paulo.