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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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For the second year in a row, an initiative from the Danish Gambling Authority has been recognised as the best in the world by international peers. At a major conference in Toronto, Canada, the Authority received the Best responsible / safer gambling initiative award for its engaging educational sessions in Danish secondary schools. The jury particularly highlighted how the programme has clearly influenced young people’s attitudes towards gambling.

The award is presented by the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) – a network of 81 gambling authorities from around the world that meet annually to discuss key cross-border issues. Last year, the Danish Gambling Authority won with its campaign The One-Armed Bandit. Now, another trophy is heading to Denmark.

Since 2022, the Danish Gambling Authority has offered free presentations to secondary schools across the country – more than 200 so far.

“Gambling plays a big role in many schools. In some classrooms, gambling has almost become part of the everyday culture. It distracts from learning and can lead to addiction. That’s why we developed our own educational programme to help students understand how gambling works and where to seek help if it gets out of hand,” said Anders Dorph, Director of the Danish Gambling Authority.

The presentations are delivered by a team of eight staff members from the Danish Gambling Authority, typically working in pairs. They are held in individual classes to ensure maximum participation. A real roulette table is a key feature, providing students with a tangible understanding of how games of chance operate.

“Our goal isn’t to tell students never to gamble. It’s to make sure that if they choose to play, they understand that the games are designed so the player will lose money over time,” said Heine Jakobsen, Special Adviser and coordinator of the programme, who accepted the award in Toronto on behalf of the Authority.

Impact studies show a clear shift in students’ attitudes towards gambling. The Danish Gambling Authority conducted surveys before and three months after each visit – and the results speak for themselves:

Before the session, 64% said they gambled to win money. Three months later, that number had dropped to 54%.

The share of students gambling for entertainment rose from 70% to 87%.

This shift – from gambling to make money towards gambling as entertainment – demonstrates that the Danish Gambling Authority’s message is resonating with young people.

The interactive approach and measurable results are key reasons why the Danish Gambling Authority has now received the award for the second consecutive year.

The jury’s motivation read: “For an interactive, school-based education programme that engages young people with practical demonstrations and surveys evidencing shifts away from gambling ‘to make money’ towards safer play and awareness of help services.”

“We are truly honoured to receive this award. It’s vital that young people understand gambling as entertainment – not a shortcut to easy money. By meeting them with honesty and engagement, we’ve managed to make responsible gambling relevant and accessible for our target group. I’m proud that the jury recognised this, and that our work can inspire other regulators around the world,” said Anders Dorph.

The post The Danish Gambling Authority Wins International Award for Education Programme in Secondary Schools appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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The parent company of Betano wins the “Operator of the Year” title for the second consecutive year, while adding a total of six new awards in its collection. 

Kaizen Gaming, one of the world’s biggest GameTech companies and owner of the Betano online sports betting and gaming brand, has retained its title of “Operator of the Year” in the iGaming industry and won a total of six awards at the prestigious EGR Operator Awards ceremony, held on October 22^nd in London.

For the second year running, Kaizen Gaming secured the “Operator of the Year” award, highlighting its leading position in the sector, driven by the company’s international presence in 19 markets and its top place in many of them. At the same time, Kaizen Gaming continues to stand out for its focus on responsible gaming and on innovative products that provide its 13 million users across the world with gaming experiences of the highest calibre. Its success is further strengthened by partnerships with some of the most prestigious organizations in global sports and a commitment to supporting local communities across its footprint.

On top of “Operator of the Year”, Kaizen Gaming won the titles of “Casino Operator of the Year” and “Sports Betting Operator of the Year,” becoming the first company in history to claim all three awards, a testament to its excellence across every aspect of its platform. Especially with regards to its sportsbook offering, Kaizen Gaming also won the “Football Betting Operator of the Year”, “In-Play Sports Operator of the Year” and “Sports Product of the Year” awards.

The complete list of awards Kaizen Gaming won includes:

• Operator of the Year
• Casino Operator of the Year
• Sports Betting Operator of the Year
• Football Betting Operator of the Year
• In-play Sports Operator of the Year
• Sports Product of the Year

George Daskalakis, co-founder and CEO of Kaizen Gaming, said: “At Kaizen we are very honoured when we receive such distinctions but don’t get too caught up with them. For us, it is all about staying humble, being hungry to achieve more, and hustling to turn ambition into action, while continuously evolving the i-gaming experience we offer to our customers. This is the mentality that has given us this award. This year we are especially proud because it marks our second “Operator of the Year” win in a row and the third during the last four years. It is always great to win but it is even more special to repeat and to show consistency over time. We would like to thank the EGR and the judges, as we deem such recognitions great motivation to keep pushing forward. We would also like to thank our customers, whose trust is our ultimate goal and biggest honour. More than anyone though, credit goes to the three thousand Kaizeners whose combined efforts as one team makes it all possible.”

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