Industry Awards
Judging the shortlisted: Casino Guru Awards 2025 evaluation phase begins

The Casino Guru Awards 2025 have reached an exciting milestone: evaluation time. On April 22 and 23, our esteemed panel of judges will begin conducting online evaluation calls with all shortlisted candidates across various award categories. These 30-minute sessions offer a unique opportunity for nominees to present their work, explain the vision behind their nominations, and engage in open dialogue with our expert judges.
Interactive, insightful, impactful
The evaluation calls, now a signature part of the Casino Guru Awards process, go far beyond reviewing nomination forms. They bring the human element to the forefront, giving judges the chance to hear directly from the people behind the innovations, initiatives, and platforms.
This year’s process again brings together two panels of judges, featuring both internal Casino Guru experts and external professionals from across the iGaming space. While the written nominations set the stage, it’s these calls that allow judges to ask questions, explore specific areas in more detail, and truly assess how well each nominee embodies the values of the Casino Guru Awards: fairness, transparency, innovation, and social responsibility.
“This part of the process is where the nominations come alive,” says Daniela Sliva, PR & Creative Project Director at Casino Guru and the visionary behind the Awards. “We’re looking for more than good intentions—we want to see passion, preparation, and a deep understanding of what makes an impact in this industry. These conversations are often eye-opening for both sides, and sometimes a call can change the whole perception of a nomination.”
A fair and rigorous selection
All shortlisted candidates will be evaluated through these live sessions, which are a vital piece of the final voting process. After the calls, judges are given time to reflect and reassess, using both written materials and insights gained from the interviews before anonymously casting their votes.
As in previous years, each judge receives three points to distribute among the candidates in each category. The winner is then determined through a transparent point-counting process.
It’s worth noting that even nominees who are unable to attend the calls are still eligible to win—though participating gives them a powerful chance to make their case directly and stand out. The process is intentionally designed to reward engagement, readiness, and integrity.
Looking toward Malta
The anticipation is building toward the Casino Guru Awards 2025 Gala Ceremony, taking place for the first time as a live, invite-only event at the prestigious Hilton Hotel in St. Julian’s, Malta, on June 6, 2025. Here, winners across all categories will be revealed in what promises to be a grand celebration of responsibility and achievement in iGaming.
In addition to the judge-assessed categories, the Players’ Choice and Voice of the People are already open for public voting—further reinforcing the Awards’ mission to reflect both industry expertise and real-world impact.
As the evaluation calls commence, we at Casino Guru celebrate every shortlisted nominee who has made it this far. Your innovation, effort, and commitment to a better gambling environment have already earned you a place among the industry’s elite.
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HERMES Climate Protection Prize
NOVOMATIC Wins Coveted HERMES Climate Protection Award

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NOVOMATIC was awarded the prestigious HERMES Climate Protection Prize for the construction of its photovoltaic system at its headquarters. Covering an area the size of three soccer fields and featuring more than 4600 solar panels, the PV system already caused a stir when it was inaugurated last fall in 2024.
By constructing the photovoltaic system on an area of 20,000 square meters, the company is sending a strong signal for climate protection and a sustainable future. The system generates around 2 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually, enabling the gaming technology group to cover a significant portion of its energy requirements at the site with emission-free energy. This corresponds to carbon dioxide savings of more than 1100 tons per year, comparable to the compensation of over 90,000 trees. The project is the largest among the group-wide PV installations at international company locations, such as Germany, Italy, Spain and Australia, and impressed this year’s expert jury at HERMES.
Mag. Stefan Krenn, CEO of NOVOMATIC AG, said: “With the photovoltaic system at our headquarters, we have reached a significant milestone in our sustainability strategy and are sending a clear signal for a strong and environmentally conscious energy future. The HERMES award is therefore an important recognition of our efforts in the area of sustainability.”
At the festive “Gala of the Austrian Economy” on October 10 at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, with around 400 invited guests, the HERMES Climate Protection Award was accepted by Christoph Neubauer, Director Group CR & Sustainability, and Florian Saiko, Director Group Finance.
The HERMES Climate Protection Award is presented annually to Austrian companies that are actively committed to a climate-friendly future through innovative projects. The climate projects submitted from all sectors of the economy show that climate protection and successful business can go hand in hand.
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2025 Global Regulatory Awards
Vixio Announces the 2025 Recipient of the Compliance Lifetime Achievement Special Award

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Vixio, a leading provider of regulatory intelligence solutions, is delighted to announce that Wes Himes will receive the Compliance Lifetime Achievement Special Award at the 2025 Global Regulatory Awards. This prestigious honour recognises individuals whose exceptional contributions have advanced the culture of compliance and regulatory standards across the gambling industry.
Throughout his distinguished career, Wes has been at the forefront of shaping modern gambling regulation, from founding the Interactive Gaming, Gambling and Betting Association (iGGBA) in 2000 to serving as Executive Director of Standards and Innovation at the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) and now as a Partner at Intrepid Partners. “I am truly humbled to be receiving this award… When I started in this industry 25 years ago, I had no idea how dynamic and exciting the sector would later become,” stated Wes Himes. Himes added: “It has been a privilege and a pleasure working with so many colleagues that I call friends, and I can not thank enough the operators and other stakeholders who have been so supportive of my work and career.”
As part of this announcement, Vixio has released a special episode of the Regulatory Radar Podcast. Vixio’s Chief Analyst, James Kilsby, sits down with Compliance Lifetime Achievement Special Award recipient Wes Himes to discuss his 25-year journey in the gambling sector, from navigating policy debates to building bridges between regulators, operators, and policymakers. Listeners will gain insight into how compliance has evolved into a cornerstone of sustainable growth and hear Wes’s perspective on the future of regulation and responsible gaming. A thoughtful and inspiring conversation with one of the most respected voices in the field, don’t miss this look back at a remarkable career and what lies ahead for the industry. To listen to the episode in full, please visit the Vixio website or follow the link here.
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Alpha Hub
Flutter and Beyond Sport launch global Tech4Good Awards to transform lives through the power of sport and technology

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Flutter Entertainment, in collaboration with Alpha Hub and Beyond Sport, has launched the Flutter Tech4Good Awards 2025 – a global initiative looking to uncover and accelerate bold, technology-driven solutions that harness the power of sport and physical activity to build healthier, more active communities.
Despite the well-documented benefits of physical activity, 31% of adults globally are not meeting recommended activity levels. This inactivity contributes to declining physical and mental health across populations.
The Awards will support bold, tech-driven innovations that go beyond addressing physical inactivity — they’ll push the boundaries of what’s possible for healthier, more connected communities. Whether it’s grassroots initiatives or scalable digital platforms, Flutter and Beyond Sport are seeking five standout organizations using technology to inspire movement, improve public health, and advance community wellbeing.
Kerry McNally, Head of Communities & Engagement at Flutter said: “The Flutter Tech4Good Awards reflect our commitment to using technology as a force for good, in line with the ambitions of our Positive Impact Plan. By backing innovative, tech-driven solutions, we aim to inspire healthier, more active communities and address the growing challenges of physical inactivity. Leveraging the Flutter Edge, we’re proud to support organizations that are using technology to deliver meaningful, long-term impact on health and wellbeing.”
The Awards will offer a total of £60,000 in funding, alongside a bespoke support program to maximize long-term impact and growth. The Awards are open to organizations around the world that are leveraging any sport or physical activity to drive health outcomes through technology-based innovation. Eligible applicants may include nonprofits, startups, social enterprises, or other mission-driven entities with a focus on public health and physical activity.
Applications for the Flutter Tech4Good Awards 2025 are open from Monday 6th October 2025 until Friday 31st October 2025, with the winners announced in January 2026. For more information on how to apply, visit https://beyondsport.org/awards/flutter-tech4good-awards-2025/criteria/.
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