Casino Guru will hold the Casino Guru Awards 2026 on May 25 at Xara Lodge in Malta, ahead of the NEXT Valletta conference. The organiser said the event will recognise companies, initiatives and individuals tied to fairness, player protection and ethical business practices in online gambling.

According to Casino Guru, the awards are positioned differently from typical industry programmes by prioritising “measurable impact and long-term commitment” rather than brand scale or marketing reach.

“The Casino Guru Awards are about recognizing the people and companies that genuinely prioritize players and contribute to a healthier industry,” said Daniela Sliva, PR & Creative Projects Director at Casino Guru. “As we approach the event, we’re excited to celebrate the efforts that often happen behind the scenes but have a real impact on the future of iGaming.”

Casino Guru said around 150 guests are expected to attend, with winners to be announced across multiple categories during an evening programme that also includes networking, dining and an afterparty.

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ESR Group has appointed Philip Doftvik, Gary Nall and Jonas Delin as non-executive directors, completing its newly formed board, the company said today.

The new NEDs are Philip Doftvik, CEO at Qtech Games and a former director at LeoVegas; Gary Nall, founder of PlayBook and former Entain MD; and Jonas Delin, co-founder of Avanti Studios and former founder of Authentic Gaming (acquired by Light and Wonder ).

ESR said the board will support its leadership team across “people (recruitment/HR), transformational growth, GTM strategy and execution, M&A and investment”. The company operates ESR Talent, focused on executive search and embedded HR functions, and ESR Solutions, which provides strategic, investment and M&A advisory services.

Luke Imeson, co-founder and CEO of ESR Group, said: “This incredibly powerful combination of strategic minds and innovative thinkers is a fantastic boon to our already rapidly growing business. While I don’t like to brag, I truly think we’re set to make a huge difference to iGaming businesses worldwide, particularly in areas of executive search.”

Nall said: “I got to know Luke and Helena last year and found them both to be dedicated and genuine: two vital qualities in recruitment. When asked to join their board as a NED, it was an easy ‘yes’ – as working with people of their character ensures I’ll make a meaningful difference.” Delin added: “I’ve worked closely with Luke and the ESR team for the past seven years. What truly sets them apart in a very crowded space is their genuine focus on solving problems big and small, rather than simply chasing fees.” Doftvik said: “We partnered with the ESR team to launch and scale our new tech hub in Malaga from ground zero. Their service was highly strategic and had a positive impact on the growth of our organisation. Excited to now join them as a NED to contribute towards elevating their business”.

ESR Group was founded in 2023 by Imeson and co-founder Helena Scone, and works with iGaming, fintech and tech startups and scale-ups, according to the company.

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Gaming Corps has extended its partnership with bet365 by taking its games live with the operator in Brazil, marking the latest step in the Swedish developer’s push across regulated markets.

The launch expands an existing relationship between the companies and is being delivered through Gaming Corps’ distribution partnership with Light & Wonder, which the supplier said supports market access through its content network.

bet365 players in Brazil will get access to Gaming Corps’ full line-up, including Penalty Champion, as well as franchise titles 3 Pigs of Olympus and 3 Pigs of the Caribbean. The company also said Brazilian players can expect its three-game football suite “in time for the World Cup.”

Juha Kauppinen, CEO at Gaming Corps, said: “Extending our partnership with bet365 into Brazil is an exciting development for Gaming Corps and an important next step in how we grow with major operators across regulated markets. bet365 is one of the most recognised names in online gaming and expanding our reach with them into a market like Brazil underlines both the strength of the relationship and the wider appeal of our portfolio.”

A bet365 spokesperson, added: “Gaming Corps has established a clear identity within the market through a mix of creative game concepts and distinctive mechanics. We are delighted to expand our partnership with the studio into Brazil and look forward to making this content available to our players in the market.”

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