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Illinois Video Gaming: A Year in Review

Well, it’s happening… we are officially moving on from the teens of the 21st century. Although the teenage years we knew so well were awkward and somewhat humbling, it has been truly #AWESOME in the Illinois video gaming industry!

As video slot machines emerged as a mainstream form of entertainment, the opportunities for advancement were endless. Awesome Hand Gaming is honored to have been at the forefront of video gaming in Illinois. Through traditional and digital marketing efforts and constant innovation, we took our service, marketing, and overall entertainment to the next level. 


AHG Marketing Team

Over the course of the last 6 years, our powerhouse marketing team has consistently brought best-practice marketing principles to life in the Illinois video gaming market. Our forward-thinking techniques have effectively built the Awesome Hand Gaming brand and culture. 

In 2019, we launched our sweepstakes initiative, during which we worked to expand our involvement, not only in location-based sweepstakes but in Awesome Hand Gaming-sponsored cash giveaways! In 2018, AHG successfully gave away $10,600 in cash prizes to our loyal Illinois video gamers. In 2019, we increased our sweepstakes and cash giveaways by 466%, giving away over $60,000 in cash and prizes! 

Our Marketing Manager Carrie Draper and Account Manager Lauren Bowen have kept loyal gamer engagement at an all-time high. From custom location-based gamer loyalty programs to ground-breaking marketing techniques, awesome incentives are offered to guests and gamers at dozens of Awesome Hand Gaming Illinois video gaming locations.

 


AHG Events & Promotions

Awesome Hand Gaming continues to be the only Illinois video gaming terminal operator who hosts specialty events and promotional parties. From grand-opening parties and custom events to radio promotions and sweepstakes—Awesome Hand Gaming does it all. It has become apparent to not only our staff and locations but more importantly, to loyal gamers, that 2019 has been an exceptional year. We’ve successfully increased our events and promotions 108.2% this year alone, going from 61 events in 2018 to hosting 127 events in 2019! 

Haven’t had a chance to stop by an Awesome Hand Gaming event just yet? KJ McCann, our Events Marketing Manager, has been with Awesome Hand Gaming for 3 years and has worked tirelessly to ensure that every event will generate Illinois gaming revenueWe have a promotional team of over 30 AHG beauties on staff, many of who have a following of their own. 

In order to keep things fresh, our Illinois gaming and video slot machine events team introduces a brand new event every three months. Want to see what we’ve done this year alone? We’ll let the pictures do the talking. 


January: Deuces Are Wild | Fox Rockers Finale Giveaway at Niko’s Pointers in Marengo, Illinois
Hosted: January 5th, 2019 

          



February:
Industry Night | Late Night Life-Size Battle Pong at Anastasia’s Sports Lounge & Restaurant in Antioch, Illinois 

Hosted: February 26th, 2019 

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March:60s Night | Bar Olympics Bash at Cottage Tap in Grayslake, Illinois
Hosted: March 9th, 2019 

           

 



 

April: Luxury Tax Sweepstakes | Hosted by Offsides Sports Bar & Grill & Awesome Hand Gaming in Woodstock, Illinois
Hosted: April 1st – April 24th, 2019 

      

 


May: Taco De Muerte | Cinco De Mayo Taco Eating Competition at La Campana in Bloomingdale, Illinois 

Hosted: May 5th, 2019 

           

 


June: Awesome Hand Gaming’s Jet Into June | Summer of Sweepstakes  

Hosted: June 1st – June 24th, 2019 

          

 


July: Awesome Hand Gaming’s Lobstermania Insania | Summer of Sweepstakes 

Hosted: July 1st – July 24th, 2019

     

 


August: Awesome Hand Gaming’s Catch Some Cash | Summer of Sweepstakes

Hosted: August 1st – August 24th, 2019 

                                  

 


September:80s Night Bar Olympics at C’mon Inn, in Grayslake, Illinois

Hosted: September 26th, 2019 

          

 


October: Glow in the Dark Battle Pong at At Work Sports Bar in Elk Grove, Illinois 

Hosted: October 18th, 2019 

          

 


November: Trivia Night at Boone Creek Golf Club in Boone Creek, Illinois

Hosted: November 7th, 2019 

          

 


December: 13 Acoustic Guitars of Axe-Mas | AHG & 95 WIIL ROCK Radio Promotion 

Hosted: December 16th, 2019

      

 


Woah, that brought back some seriously #AWESOME memories. 

2019—what a year you have been! We would like to take this last moment to share our appreciation for all of our longtime AHG partners, our 18 brand-new AHG locations, thousands of loyal gamers, and all of our event attendees. 

It’s safe to say that this year was filled with TONS of new challenges. From events like Trivia, Bingo, Life-Size Battle Pong, Singles Mixers, Bar Olympics, N64 Tournaments, and radio sponsorships, to our insane season of sweepstakes—every single event and promotion was a thrill. 

As we bring 2019 to a close, we can’t wait to share what 2020 has in store!