FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Muckleshoot Casino Resort Wins Three THEO AWARDS at the 2026 Global Gaming Expo
AUBURN, WA — Otober 9, 2026 — Muckleshoot Casino Resort proudly announced today that it has earned three prestigious 2026 THEO Awards, presented by the Casino Direct Marketing Association (CDMA), recognizing excellence, creativity, innovation, and leadership in casino marketing. The awards were presented during the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas.
Muckleshoot Casino Resort received large casino honors for:
• Best Special Event/Invitational for its highly successful Hot Rod & Custom Car Show
• Best Promotion for the widely acclaimed Your Gift, Your Choice campaign
• Casino Marketer of the Year awarded to Robert Dearstine, Chief Marketing Officer, recognizing his leadership and the outstanding achievements of the resort's Marketing Department
The three awards highlight a landmark year for the Muckleshoot Casino Resort Marketing Team, whose innovative strategies, guest-focused campaigns, and commitment to elevating the brand have helped position the property as one of the premier gaming and entertainment destinations in North America.
"These awards are a testament to the incredible creativity, passion, and collaboration of our entire Marketing Team," said Robert Dearstine, Chief Marketing Officer for Muckleshoot Casino Resort. "While I am deeply honored to receive the Casino Marketer of the Year recognition, this achievement belongs to the talented professionals who bring our vision to life every day. From developing award-winning promotions and events to creating memorable guest experiences, our team continually raises the bar, and I am proud to celebrate this accomplishment with them."
The Marketing Department's success is driven by a brilliant, cross-functional team of promotion and event strategists, creative designers, guest experience operators, digital marketers, audio/ visual specialists, database enthusiasts, coordinators, and operations professionals whose collective efforts have produced measurable business results while strengthening guest engagement and loyalty.
"Winning three THEO Awards on a national stage is an extraordinary accomplishment and reflects the culture of excellence we strive for throughout our organization," said Junior Maldonado, Interim-Chief Executive Officer of Muckleshoot Casino Resort. "Robert's recognition as Casino Marketer of the Year is well deserved and speaks to the leadership, innovation, and vision he brings to our company. Equally important, these awards recognize the exceptional Marketing Team that consistently delivers industry-leading campaigns, memorable events, and meaningful experiences for our guests. We could not be prouder of what this team has achieved."
The THEO Awards recognize excellence in casino marketing by honoring the industry's most innovative campaigns, promotions, special events, and marketing leaders. Receiving three THEO Awards in a single year underscores Muckleshoot Casino Resort's ongoing commitment to innovation, creativity, and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
As Muckleshoot Casino Resort continues to expand its offerings and elevate its brand, these awards further reinforce the property's reputation as a leader in gaming, entertainment, hospitality, and guest engagement.
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Contact:
Muckleshoot Casino Resort
Tony Phongsavath, Digital Marketing Manager
Phone: 800.804.4944 ext. 2841
Email: tony.phongsavath@muckleshootcasino.com
Muckleshoot Casino Resort
Muckleshoot Casino Resort, known as the "Biggest and Best in the Northwest," offers an unmatched experience that blends luxury, entertainment, and comfort. Guests can unwind in one of 401 beautifully appointed guestrooms and suites, take in the serenity of the indoor pool, rejuvenate at the full-service labcəbut spa, or savor exceptional cuisine at the rooftop steakhouse, Smoke & Cedar—featuring sweeping views of Mt. Rainier, the Olympic Mountain range, and the Seattle skyline. As one of Washington’s premier casino destinations, Muckleshoot Casino Resort features the state’s largest selection of games, including over 3,400 gaming machines, 67 table games, and one of the largest smoke-free gaming rooms in the region. Dining options span the globe, taking guests on a culinary adventure, while the Muckleshoot Events Center and Galaxy deliver world-class entertainment year-round. Visitors also enjoy thoughtful amenities like complimentary valet service, Wi-Fi, covered parking, and free electric vehicle charging stations—ensuring every stay is as convenient as it is unforgettable.
https://muckleshootcasino.com/
Muckleshoot Indian Tribe
The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is a Federally Recognized Indian Tribe composed of descendants of the Duwamish and Upper Puyallup Peoples who inhabited Central Puget Sound for thousands of years before non-Indian settlement. The word, Muckleshoot, is derived from the Native name for the prairie on which the tribe’s reservation was established in 1857. Today, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is a major contributor to the local economy and community providing resources to other governments, schools, nonprofits, and churches throughout Washington. The benefits of the Muckleshoot Tribe’s economic revival go well beyond financial contributions. From landmark agreements protecting fish and wildlife habitats and innovative educational programming to hundreds of partnerships with organizations serving those in need throughout the state, the Muckleshoot Tribe is committed to improving the quality of life of its citizens, neighbors and work force while preserving its culture and laying the groundwork for a bright future.
https://www.muckleshoot.nsn.us/