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Casino Guru is proud and pleased to have been awarded the “Outstanding Contribution to Safer Gambling” at the 2025 Global Regulatory Awards, celebrating the company’s longstanding tradition in bringing a safe, transparent, and responsible experience to players.

The distinction marks the latest accolade Casino Guru has won in the Responsible Gambling field, further highlighting the company’s ethos and philosophy for nurturing a sustainable and accountable industry where players are protected.

Commenting on the achievement, Šimon Vincze, the Sustainable & Safer Gambling Lead at Casino Guru, said: “Speaking on behalf of our entire team, I am humbled to accept this award, which is the latest distinction in Casino Guru’s unflagging efforts to make gambling safer and more transparent. Receiving this distinction from Vixio’s 2025 Global Regulatory Awards, and against a field of more companies that have dedicated efforts to making the industry more responsible, is an honor that motivates us to work harder and contribute to the collective effort.”

Casino Guru’s RG and fair efforts are captured in the very essence of what the company does. The company’s Safety Index has become a carefully curated benchmark that reviews and assigns casino ratings based on player preferences and interactions, prioritizing transparency above all else.

Casino Guru has launched multiple projects to this end, including the Casino Guru Academy, designed to educate industry professionals about the pillars of responsible, fair, and sustainable gambling. Apart from these, the company has also launched the Complaint Resolution Center, similarly intended to help players on their journey in iGaming.

The center has returned over $52 million as of today. Vincze himself has played a crucial role in the promotion of RG and raising awareness about the terminology associated with this, helping it become a more widely understood phenomenon in the industry rather than a tick box companies ought to complete, an effort he has spearheaded through the Global Self-Exclusion Initiative and the Safer Gambling Talks podcast.

Not least, Casino Guru has launched the Casino Guru Awards, a project centered around recognizing and celebrating the most successful and responsible companies in iGaming. The project has grown and is heading into its fourth year with new categories, sponsors, judges, and an expanding format.

All of these achievements have collectively served as the basis of Casino Guru winning this year’s Outstanding Contribution to Safer Gambling distinction.

The post Casino Guru wins Outstanding Contribution to Safer Gambling at 2025 Global Regulatory Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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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.

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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.”

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