Flamingo magician Nathan Burton received the “Merlin Award” yesterday, honoring him as the best comedy illusionist of 2008. Tony Hassini, founder of the International Magicians Society (IMS), along with Flamingo President, Don Marrandino, made the presentation during Burton’s 4pm show on the stage of the Flamingo Showroom. The IMS was founded in 1968 by Tony Hassini, and over the past 40 years, has grown to an organization of nearly 40,000, and is the largest magic society in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records. Winning a “Merlin Award” is the magic community’s equivalent to an Oscar, and past winners include legendary entertainers Siegfried & Roy, David Copperfield, Criss Angel and Penn & Teller, just to name a few. As a TV crew and photographers captured the moment, Burton thanked Don Marrandino and the Flamingo for the opportunity he received to perform his show inside the legendary venu; and also thanked Tony Hassini, the IMS and of course, his fans. “Without my fans, friends or family none of this would be possible,” Burton said backstage after the show. “I appreciate every single person who has come out and supported me over the years.”