A Toast to the Most
Even though we all have our foot down, going headlong into 2009, a particularly breezy night back in January was the perfect time to get some hindsight and, ultimately, closure on 2008. Way back then - yes, things do move that quickly in this breakneck industry - companies both big and small were thrown a lot of barriers, curve balls and pitfalls over the 12 months. Some persevered, some struggled through and some faded into online oblivion. But on that particular Tuesday evening at the fabled Café de Paris in London’s Piccadilly, we gathered the cream of the online gaming crop, as voted by GOM readers, for the eighth annual Gambling Online Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards Party.
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It was a healthy and heady mix of the brains behind the technological and financial brawn that put them at the top of their respective categories. Regardless of hardships past and uncertainties that lie ahead, it was a night to celebrate the here and now. And with that kind of collective motivation, the drinks flowed freely while the kitchen whipped up some exceptional food, worthy of an award in its own right. (The mini cheeseburgers and fish-and-chip cones especially.)
The dress code was smart casual but the evening as a whole was an altogether more informal affair, including the awards ceremony. (Less a drawn-out ceremony and more like a lively photo op holding the glass award to commemorate all the hard work.) There were a lot of repeat winners from last year as well as some newcomers that gave the gaming public exactly what they wanted. After all, that’s what it’s all about.
In their appreciation, they came from all over the globe from their glassy corner offices to receive their showcase awards, signifying their continued or fresh dominance in the industry. That was one reason to smile, but the GOM girls certainly helped stoke a joyous atmosphere. As if that wasn’t enough, several massage girls roamed around as well, wielding schooled hands that untied any lingering knots from long-haul flights.
But enough wordiness. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then enjoy these photos from the night, and the fact you don’t have to endure anymore long-winded description of how everything unfolded. All that’s left to say is keep it going for 2009 and see you again next year.
Carl Friedmann
Editor, Gambling Online Magazine
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