They were not nearly as touted as they are now.  The eGaming Review Awards held at a dinner party in London last Friday proved to draw some big names from the online casino industry.  The awards themselves were well received, thus giving them more clout than ever before.Awards were handed out to the biggest names in online sports gambling, including Bodog, Ladbrokes, BetFair, Victor Chandler and SportingBet.  Most of those who were at the awards will be attending the highly anticipated European iGaming Conference this Friday.

The winning results are in for the eGaming Review Awards held in London this past Friday at a most fitting place for online gaming professionals - The Brewery.  In all earnestness, the event, which is one of the largest of its kind in the UK, went very successful in preparation for the European I-Gaming Conference being held Friday, November, 11, 2005.

The biggest players in the online casino and internet betting industry were in attendance, including both U.S. focused gambling operators and those in the UK.  Attracting approximately six-hundred guests, all of which had plenty of sway in their respected fields, the eGaming Awards were timed to catch all of the online casino executives who would undoubtedly be in attendance at the European iGaming Conference.  The Awards ceremony included a fine dinner in a very relaxed, fun and social environment.

It is fair to say the awards were more than just a way of bringing gambling operators together under one roof.  The awards, which were handed out by the ezine eGaming Review (EGR) most assuredly have credibility and esteem.  EGR's website, egrmagazine.com, is a leading source of updated news about the online casino industry.  Although it puts much focus in the European sector, the site does indeed cater to the worldwide industry.

As for the awards, the most recognized names in sports betting topped the list.  Best Casino Operator went to 888.com, Best Poker Operator went to PokerStars, Best Free Play Poker went to Hold'em Poker, Best Non-Traditional Games went to MidasPlayers, Most Socially Responsible went to BetFair, Best Online Marketing went to Bodog, and Best Offline Marketing went to Victor Chandler, to name a few.  Ladbrokes was the only operator to win more than one award, including Best Innovation and Best Non-U.S. Focused Operations.  Not to downplay the US online gambling market, SportingBet took home the honors for Best U.S. Focused Operations.  As for other regional awards, the "Hot Shots" were EasyBets in Asia, BetandWin for Europe, and a surprise for the U.S. Hotshot - World Winner.