Following hundreds of high-quality applications from companies and individuals across the entire industry spectrum, Casino Guru has narrowed the field to the strongest candidates in each category who demonstrated unfaltering compliance with the format’s requirements.
Casino Guru has officially unveiled the shortlist for the 4th annual Casino Guru Awards 2026.
The 4th edition of the Casino Guru Awards was marked by an increased volume of submissions and the subsequent shortlisting of dozens of candidates who have met their category-specific criteria, showing a commitment to an industry that values both personal achievement and broader impact.
From operator performance to social responsibility, leadership, and innovation, Casino Guru Awards distinguishes applicants for their impact on the industry, succeeding in their field, while also retaining focus on ethics, responsible gambling, and sustainability.
iGaming Changemaker of the Year
Voice of the People
Woman Leader of the Year
Young Changemaker Award
The Most Impactful Social Responsibility Initiative
The Most Transparent Casino
The Fairest Bonus Policy
The Fairest General Terms & Conditions
The Most Effective Handling of Complaints
Players’ Choice
Rising Star in Responsible Gambling
Industry Culture Shaper
The judges will now evaluate the shortlisted candidates. The panel will meet in person and hold a series of calls and discussions with the applicants, starting April 30. During this time, judges will carefully review each application and ask presenters specific, hard-hitting questions, testing the merit of their submissions and helping them make an informed decision in selecting the strongest candidate in every category.
This approach ensures a deep, independent evaluation, which has become the hallmark of the Casino Guru Awards and the pillar of the format, with any participant making the shortlist or indeed winning, feeling that they have achieved something of consequence - an achievement that defines our entire field.
Daniela Sliva, PR & Creative Project Director at Casino Guru, welcomed the news: "This year exceeded our expectations in terms of the volume and quality of the applications we received. The Casino Guru Awards are proud to recognize some of the most influential companies and individuals across a growing range of categories, from operators to innovators, social responsibility leaders, and rising stars, based on clear and no-nonsense criteria designed to help make the space safer and more transparent. We are excited to begin the evaluation process on April 30, discussing each candidate’s application in detail and producing a fair outcome based on the expertise of our dedicated panel of judges."
The results are not the outcome of an industry rubber stamp. Rather, they reflect painstaking work and meticulous planning, which runs from the end of one ceremony to the beginning of another. The recipients of the 4th Annual Casino Guru Awards will be announced during a live ceremony at The Xara Lodge in Malta on May 25, 2026, in partnership with NEXT.io, highlighting the careful evaluation and expertise of our judges.
