Casino Guru Awards 2026
Casino Guru Awards 2026: Winners and Industry Leaders Reflect on a Night of Celebration, Impact and Inspiration
Following the successful conclusion of the Casino Guru Awards 2026, winners, sponsors and industry leaders have shared their reflections on an evening that celebrated excellence, responsibility, innovation and positive change across the global iGaming industry.
While the awards themselves recognised outstanding achievements across multiple categories, the event also served as an opportunity for professionals from across the sector to come together, exchange ideas and celebrate the progress being made towards a more transparent and player-focused industry.
Hosted in collaboration with NEXT.io and supported by sponsors PayOp, 18Peaches, Bragg Gaming Group, RedCore and SPRIBE, the ceremony brought together operators, providers, affiliates, responsible gambling advocates and industry innovators for an unforgettable evening.
Among the evening’s most successful winners was iWild Casino, which took home three awards: Fairest Bonus Policy, Most Effective Handling of Complaints and the Voice of the People Award.
“It was a real evening of victories for our team! Going on stage to receive the award three times was a real adventure!” said Irina from iWild Casino.
Several winners highlighted the significance of being recognised for their efforts to improve standards across the industry.
“Being seen and recognised as a Young Changemaker is a true honour. A massive thank you to Casino Guru for putting together such an outstanding awards programme. The work you do is absolutely stunning, and I’m so grateful to be part of it as an Endorphina representative,” said Irina Veselkova, Head of Marketing at Endorphina and winner of the Young Changemaker Award.
For GambleAware Nigeria, winner of the Rising Star in Responsible Gaming Award, the recognition carried particular meaning.
“This recognition means a great deal to us, not just as an organisation but for the vulnerable communities we support. What stood out about the Casino Guru Awards was the genuine focus on impact and how it helps people. That aligns deeply with how we work at GambleAware Nigeria.
The evening was a reminder that meaningful change in responsible gaming does not always come from scale or funding, but from staying close to communities, listening carefully, and building solutions that truly meet people where they are,” said Winifred Diete-Spiff, Partnerships Manager at GambleAware Nigeria.
Flutter UKI, winner of the Most Impactful Social Responsibility Initiative Award, also reflected on the importance of external recognition for safer gambling efforts.
“Winning the Casino Guru award is especially meaningful because it reflects the work we do across the business to support our customers, promote safe and responsible play and help drive positive change across the wider betting and gaming industry. We believe we lead the industry in safety and trust and it’s particularly pleasing to have the recognition of external experts,” said Rich Clarke, Flutter UKI Managing Director Product Customer.
Sponsors and partners also praised the event for creating meaningful opportunities to connect and celebrate progress within the industry.
“Being at the Casino Guru Awards was truly a highlight for us. It’s rare to get so many brilliant iGaming minds under one roof, and the energy in the room was just incredible. It was the perfect, relaxed space to actually catch up with everyone, share ideas, and feel the pulse of the industry. The atmosphere was amazing from start to finish,” said Iryna Borkun, Head of Business Development at PayOp.
Andy Barabash, Head of Gaming at RedCore, said: “We’ve been supporting Casino Guru Awards for the second year in a row, and every time it reinforces what this event stands for: integrity, responsibility, and genuine contribution to the industry. Behind Casino Guru Awards are people who move the industry forward through concrete action. Presenting the iGaming Changemaker of the Year Award was especially meaningful to us – driving industry growth and setting trends is one of RedCore’s core missions.”
SPRIBE Chief Commercial Officer Giorgi Tsutskiridze also reflected on the significance of the event.
“The Casino Guru Awards have become an important celebration of excellence, innovation, and responsibility within our industry. It was a pleasure to be part of an event that brings together so many passionate professionals and organizations committed to raising standards across iGaming.
The evening itself was exceptionally well organized and provided a great opportunity to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and recognize the achievements that continue to drive our industry forward. We would like to thank the Casino Guru team for creating a platform that not only celebrates success, but also encourages transparency, trust, and long-term growth across the sector. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees.”
Aleksandar Dasic, Head of Affiliate Marketing, said: “We’re proud to be part of the Casino Guru Awards 2026 and to support an event that highlights achievement, dedication, and positive impact within the industry. It is a valuable opportunity to recognize the people and companies helping move the sector forward in a meaningful and responsible way.”
As conversations from the evening continue across the industry, the Casino Guru Awards remain focused on their core mission: recognising organisations and individuals whose work helps create a safer, fairer and more transparent future for players and operators alike.
The post Casino Guru Awards 2026: Winners and Industry Leaders Reflect on a Night of Celebration, Impact and Inspiration appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Casino Guru
Casino Guru Awards 2026 introduce four new categories celebrating leadership, responsibility, and culture in iGaming
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Casino Guru proudly unveils four new award categories for the upcoming Casino Guru Awards 2026, further expanding its mission to recognize individuals and organizations shaping a fairer, safer, and more forward-thinking iGaming industry.
Following three years of continued growth and rising influence, the Casino Guru Awards remain the only industry awards focused primarily on fairness, transparency, integrity, and responsible innovation. The 2026 ceremony, scheduled for May 25, 2026, at The Xara Lodge in Malta, in partnership with NEXT.io during NEXT Valletta, will spotlight outstanding achievements from across the global iGaming landscape.
This year’s newly introduced categories reflect Casino Guru’s commitment to acknowledging emerging talent, ethical leadership, and positive workplace culture.
New Award Categories for 2026
Woman Leader of the Year
This category celebrates an exceptional female leader whose vision, resilience, and strategic influence have helped transform her company and the industry as a whole.
Judges will look for measurable achievements in 2024–2025, including business growth, crisis management, innovation in user experience, safety, transparency, and responsible gambling.
The award is open to women driving meaningful impact while championing diversity, mentorship, and collaborative progress within iGaming.
Rising Star in Responsible Gambling
Designed to recognize organizations making remarkable early strides in safer gambling initiatives, this category highlights innovation and genuine commitment from companies of all sizes.
Whether through impactful tools, awareness campaigns, or fresh approaches to player protection, nominees must demonstrate provable results that contribute to higher standards of responsibility and safety across the industry.
Young Changemaker Award
Honoring an individual under 30, the Young Changemaker Award shines a spotlight on rising professionals whose ethical innovation, creativity, and forward-thinking actions have made a visible impact in 2025.
Judges will consider originality, leadership ability, and tangible contributions that set a new benchmark for integrity and progress in iGaming.
Industry Culture Shaper
Recognizing that true industry progress starts within organizations, this award honors companies that cultivate positive, transparent, and supportive workplace cultures.
Nominees will be assessed based on measurable outcomes such as employee satisfaction, retention, and productivity, alongside initiatives that support wellbeing, mental health, professional development, and ethical HR practices.
Additional weight will be given to organizations whose efforts inspire better standards beyond their walls through partnerships, advocacy, or shared knowledge.
A broader vision for industry progress
“The addition of these categories marks an important evolution for the Casino Guru Awards,” said Daniela Sliva, PR & Creative Project Director at Casino Guru and leader of the Awards project.
“By spotlighting leadership, emerging talent, responsible innovation, and culture, we are amplifying the people and values that will define the future of iGaming. These awards aim to inspire positive change at every level, from individual contributors to global operators.”
The new categories will stand alongside Casino Guru’s established awards, including The Fairest Bonus Policy, The Most Transparent Casino, The Best Implementation of Responsible Gambling Tools, and others that reflect Casino Guru’s core values.
The post Casino Guru Awards 2026 introduce four new categories celebrating leadership, responsibility, and culture in iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Casino Guru
Nominations now open for Casino Guru Awards 2026: Celebrating fairness, responsibility, and innovation in iGaming
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Casino Guru is proud to announce that nominations are now open for the 4th annual Casino Guru Awards 2026, recognizing fairness, transparency, social responsibility, and innovation that push the iGaming industry forward.
After three successful editions, the Casino Guru Awards continue to honor organizations and individuals making a meaningful difference in online gambling. The 2026 edition will culminate in an exclusive live ceremony on May 25, 2026, at the stunning The Xara Lodge in Malta, held in partnership with NEXT.io during NEXT Valletta (May 27–28).
New Categories for 2026
Reflecting Casino Guru’s ongoing mission to promote integrity, innovation, and responsible growth, this year’s awards introduce four new categories:
Woman Leader of the Year
Honoring an exceptional female leader whose vision and influence have meaningfully shaped her company and the wider industry.
Rising Star in Responsible Gambling
Recognizing organizations that show outstanding early progress in promoting safer gambling practices.
Young Changemaker Award
Celebrating a professional under 30 whose forward-thinking ideas and ethical innovation have already made a visible impact in 2025, setting new standards for iGaming integrity and progress.
Industry Culture Shaper
Acknowledging companies that foster positive, transparent, and growth-oriented workplaces.
Alongside the new additions, the 2026 Awards continue to celebrate excellence across established categories that reflect Casino Guru’s core values of fairness, transparency, and responsibility:
- The Fairest Bonus Policy
- The Fairest General Terms & Conditions
- The Most Impactful Social Responsibility Initiative
- The Best Implementation of Responsible Gambling Tools
- The Most Transparent Casino
- The Most Effective Handling of Complaints
- Players’ Choice
- iGaming Changemaker of the Year
- Voice of the People
Key Dates: Casino Guru Awards 2026 Timeline
- Nominations open: October 2025
- Nominations close: February 15, 2026
- Shortlisted nominees announced: March 1, 2026
- Public voting begins: March 1, 2026
- Judges’ evaluations: April 30 – May 7, 2026
- Public voting ends: May 7, 2026
- Winners announced: May 25, 2026 — The Xara Lodge, Malta
A Celebration of Integrity and Innovation
The Casino Guru Awards 2026 Ceremony will once again bring together shortlisted nominees, esteemed judges, sponsors and media partners, and industry leaders for an unforgettable evening of recognition and connection.
This invite-only live event will celebrate not only the winners but also the spirit of collaboration and innovation driving positive change in iGaming. The evening at The Xara Lodge, surrounded by the charm of the Maltese countryside, will be followed by the NEXT Summit Valletta 2026 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.
Daniela Sliva, PR & Creative Project Director at Casino Guru and leader of the Awards project, shared her excitement: “Each year, the Casino Guru Awards grow stronger, not just in scale, but in purpose. The 2026 edition expands our mission to celebrate those who challenge the industry to be better through innovation, transparency, and responsible practices. Hosting the ceremony at The Xara Lodge in partnership with NEXT.io is the perfect way to honor the people and companies shaping a fairer, safer iGaming world.”
The post Nominations now open for Casino Guru Awards 2026: Celebrating fairness, responsibility, and innovation in iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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