The clock is ticking. With less than two weeks remaining, Casino Guru is calling on the global iGaming community to submit nominations for the 4th annual Casino Guru Awards, recognizing the people and companies genuinely shaping a better future for online gambling.

Nominations close on February 15, 2026, marking the final opportunity to put forward organizations and individuals whose work goes beyond commercial success and actively contributes to fairness, responsibility, innovation, and a healthier industry culture.

Now firmly established as one of the most value-driven awards in iGaming, the Casino Guru Awards continue to spotlight those who lead by example, raise standards, and prove that integrity and business success can go hand in hand.

A celebration of meaningful impact in iGaming

Since their launch, the Casino Guru Awards have stood apart by focusing not on revenue or scale, but on real, measurable impact - transparent terms, fair player treatment, responsible gambling practices, and ethical leadership.

The 2026 edition, now in its fourth year, will culminate in an exclusive live ceremony on May 25, 2026, held at The Xara Lodge in Malta, in partnership with NEXT.io during NEXT Valletta (May 27-28). The invite-only event will once again bring together shortlisted nominees, judges, sponsors, media partners, and industry leaders to celebrate progress across the iGaming ecosystem.

New award categories for 2026

Reflecting the industry’s evolving priorities, the Casino Guru Awards introduce four new categories this year, reinforcing Casino Guru’s ongoing mission to promote integrity, innovation, and positive workplace cultures.

With the nomination deadline fast approaching, Casino Guru especially encourages submissions for these new categories:

• Woman Leader of the Year: Honoring an exceptional female leader whose vision and influence have meaningfully shaped her company and the wider iGaming industry.
• Rising Star in Responsible Gambling: Recognizing organizations that have demonstrated outstanding early progress in implementing 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.
• Industry Culture Shaper: Acknowledging companies that foster positive, transparent, and growth-oriented workplace cultures.

These additions place a strong spotlight on leadership, responsibility, and the people shaping the future of iGaming, not just today, but for years to come.

Established categories rooted in fairness and transparency

Alongside the new awards, nominations remain open across Casino Guru’s established categories, reflecting the platform’s core values and long-standing commitment to player protection and transparency, including:

• 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

• 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

Recognizing those who move the industry forward

The Casino Guru Awards 2026 ceremony will once again serve as a dedicated platform to recognize progress, responsibility, and innovation, and to give visibility to those actively raising standards across iGaming.

Commenting on the final days of nominations, Daniela Sliva, PR & Creative Project Director at Casino Guru and leader of the Awards project, said:

"As the nomination deadline enters its final stretch, we encourage the industry to shine a light on the people and companies who are genuinely raising standards. The Casino Guru Awards exist to recognize those who prove that fairness, responsibility, and innovation can go hand in hand, and with less than two weeks left, this is the final chance to ensure their work is seen."

With nominations closing soon, Casino Guru invites the iGaming community to ensure outstanding achievements do not go unnoticed, and to help shape a celebration of integrity, leadership, and positive change at the Casino Guru Awards 2026.