Comanche Nation Casino has been recognized as the No. 1 Casino in the state at Oklahoman’s annual Community Choice Awards. The awards program recognizes destinations throughout Oklahoma that provide exceptional service and experiences to the community and guests.

Award finalists were invited to an awards gala at the Embassy Suites in Oklahoma City. In attendance to accept the award on behalf of Comanche Nation Casino was Shandi Tahhahwah, General Manager, and Megan Norberto, Marketing Manager.

“We are incredibly honored to have received this recognition from our community. We are grateful for our team members’ hard work to give all our guests a fun and exciting experience, including our newest addition of blackjack tables. This recognition reflects our dedicated family, friends and fans and their continued support,” said Tahhahwah.

Comanche Nation Casino, one of six Comanche Nation Entertainment properties, is located in Lawton and features over 800 games, including the latest addition of blackjack tables.

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The casino and its team members also spearhead a community giving initiative known as the Comanche Cares Foundation. Through the initiative, team members organize charitable events year around, with drives for school supplies, food and toys. Regularly donating to local organizations throughout the community, Comanche Cares serves youth, students, hospitals and local community members.

Scientific Games’ Instant Products Account Director Jeff Fain received a 2024 Powers Award from the North American State and Provincial Lotteries Association, honoring those in the lottery industry with the highest achievement, drive and integrity. Fain was nominated by the New Mexico Lottery.

Recognizing professionals who have made outstanding contributions to lotteries and the North American lottery industry, Powers Awards are named in honor of the late Edward J. Powers, the ‘Father of U.S. Lotteries’, and are regarded as one of the highest honors in the industry.

Fain joined Scientific Games in 2012, bringing his finance background and printed product experience to the world’s largest lottery games company. He has worked closely with several U.S. lotteries including the New Mexico Lottery to help responsibly grow their instant game portfolios.

“We’re extremely proud of Jeff’s work with our U.S. customers and appreciate the New Mexico Lottery for recognizing his contributions to the success of its instant game portfolio. He has approached his work with the Lottery as 100% collaborative and cultivated a fantastic customer relationship with its team,” said John Schulz, President, Americas and Global Instant Products for Scientific Games

The company’s business intelligence and insights have driven industry-leading lottery performance, including 18 of the Top 20 performing instant game lotteries in the world (La Fleur’s 2024 World Almanac, based on per capita sales).

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Scientific Games provides retail and digital games, technology, analytics and services to 150 lotteries in 50 countries around the globe.

Talking Stick Resort, an enterprise of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC), announced that it was named “Best Casino” in azcentral.com’s 2024 Community Choice Awards. The casino-resort was nominated along with three other casino properties in the Valley by the public as part of the East Valley, Best of the Desert portion of the awards program.

“For Talking Stick Resort to be recognized is a true honor and one that we deeply appreciate. The fact that this nomination came from the public makes it even more meaningful. It tells us that we are moving in the right direction and that our guests are enjoying what we offer,” said Ramon Martinez, Director of Public Relations for Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort.

The annual Community Choice Awards recognizes more than 600 businesses and organizations. Each business was nominated by the public until five nominees were selected in each category. Among the 220 categories include Beauty & Health, Dining, Shopping, Sports & Fitness, Entertainment & Leisure and many more. Nominees in each were divided among the East and West Valley competitions.

Voting then commenced by the public until the finalists and winners were ultimately selected. Winners were announced at an exclusive awards gala at the Omni Resort & Spa at Montelucia in June.

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Talking Stick Resort’s Community Choice Award comes on the heels of great change at the popular resort. This year, the property unveiled an array of new added or renovated amenities. The new ultra-modern spaces include ARENA Poker Room, the largest in Arizona with 68 tables, the reimagined Showroom with intimate concert seating and 92 LED video screens and walls as well as a new sportsbook and lounges.