Worley, Idaho (May 23, 2025) – Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel was named “Tribal Gaming Operator of the Year” on May 14 at the SBC Americas Awards held at Hard Rock Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. SBC Awards Americas honors the outstanding companies representing the gaming and betting industry in North America and Latin America.
Rasmus Sojmark, Founder and CEO of SBC, said: “When we launched SBC Summit Americas, our vision was to spotlight the incredible depth of talent across both continents. The SBC Awards Americas gives us the perfect platform to celebrate that talent. The standard this year has truly exceeded all expectations. A huge congratulations to the well-deserved winners.”
The Tribal Operator of the Year award “honors the company that demonstrated exceptional achievements across multiple areas, including operational excellence, market growth, branding expertise, innovation, commitment to responsible gaming, and dedication to tribal community development,” SBC Americas stated.
Innovation helped Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel earn Operator of the Year distinction. Research-driven decisions were made to bring in new, unique casino amenities like Aescape massage. It was added to the casino’s Spa Ssakwa’q’n (pronounced Sock-wah-kin). Using advanced AI technology to deliver an automated, customizable massage experience, Aescape gives spa guests a rejuvenating new way to receive massages. Traditional massages remain on the spa menu for people who prefer human touch, but Aescape appeals to those who prefer solitude, privacy, and controlling things like where the massage is applied, the level of pressure applied to various areas of the body, and more.
Another innovative investment by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, which owns and operates the casino, is Circling Raven Golf Suites, a sports-bar-like social venue where individuals and groups can play virtual golf year-round and other sports games. With food and beverage, merchandise, televisions, and video gaming machines, the unique amenity taps into the substantial growth occurring in the number of people playing non-traditional forms of golf in America, which has exploded nationally according to the National Golf Foundation (NGF). NGF research finds that participation in off-course forms of the game has eclipsed on-course play in each of the past three years (2022-2024), and nearly tripled since 2014, from 14.3 million to 36.2 million (Source: NGF Golf Industry 2024 – Key U.S. Statistics). The Golf Suites complement and are an extension of Circling Raven Golf Club and its critically acclaimed 18-hole course that draws stay-and-play golfers from near and far. With the golf club closed from November through March, the Golf Suites enable year-round play while simultaneously bringing in more and new visitors to the casino.
Discovery Den is another example of Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel’s non-stop innovation. It is the only casino in the Northwest to be used as a testing location by leading manufacturers for new video gaming machines. Guests get the opportunity to play these games first – sometimes exclusively nationwide – and help determine which ones will remain based on user feedback through their play. Discovery Den sees new arrivals every quarter with a complete refresh of video gaming machines.
Customer satisfaction and community development are other factors that were weighed by SBC Americas Awards’ judges. The casino has made life better for Tribal members and area residents. It has donated more than $36.5 million to educational institutions and programs, as well as other entities that support community members dealing with cancer, homelessness, hunger, and those who need help through the holidays. The casino is well known for its genuine, experience-enhancing customer service. “Welcome Home” is the defining sentiment team members draw upon as they cater to customers. This stems from the Tribe and its inherent philosophy and way of living.
“Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel is humbled to be named the Tribal Gaming Operator of the Year,” said Laura Penney, CEO. “We strive to provide excellent service, top-notch entertainment, and a variety of leisure experiences for our valued patrons. It’s gratifying to see that the research and investment we put into achieving our operational objectives has been recognized as best-in-class by casino industry leaders.”
The casino offers 300 guest rooms and 14 suites, 1,200 video gaming machines and high stakes bingo. Additional amenities include a 15,000 square foot spa, 40,000 square feet of meeting space, indoor and outdoor wedding locations, a variety of casual and fine dining experiences, and Circling Raven Golf Club. The 18-hole course has earned accolades from leading U.S. golf media in several categories including Top 15 U.S. Casino Courses, No. 1 Idaho Public Course, and as a Top 150 U.S. Public Course out of more than 15,000. A new taco-themed eatery will make its Food Court debut this summer, barring unforeseen circumstances, adding another new amenity for guests’ added enjoyment.
Visit www.cdacasino.com or call 800-523-2464 for more information about Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel and its amenities.