Casino Guru opens nominations for 4th Annual Casino Guru Awards 2026

Casino Guru has opened nominations for the 4th annual Casino Guru Awards 2026, honoring fairness, transparency, social responsibility, and innovation in the iGaming industry.

Following three successful editions, the 2026 Awards will culminate in an exclusive live ceremony on May 25, 2026, at The Xara Lodge in Malta, held in partnership with NEXT.io during the NEXT Valletta Summit (May 27–28, 2026).

The 2026 edition introduces four new categories. These include Woman Leader of the Year, recognizing exceptional female leadership; Rising Star in Responsible Gambling, celebrating early progress in promoting safer gambling practices; Young Changemaker Award, honoring professionals under 30 whose innovative ideas and ethical influence have driven meaningful change; and Industry Culture Shaper, highlighting companies that foster transparent, inclusive, and growth-oriented workplaces.

Alongside these additions, the awards will continue to honor excellence across long-standing categories:

• 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, and
• Voice of the People.

The nominations open in October 2025 and close on February 15, 2026. The shortlist will be announced on March 1, with public voting running from March 1 to May 7, alongside judges’ evaluations from April 30 to May 7. The winners will be revealed during the awards ceremony on May 25, 2026, in Malta.

The Casino Guru Awards 2026 will bring together nominees, judges, sponsors, media partners, and industry leaders for an exclusive, invite-only celebration that highlights the people and organizations driving positive change in iGaming. The evening at The Xara Lodge will celebrate integrity, innovation, and collaboration, setting the stage for the upcoming NEXT Summit Valletta 2026 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

“Each year, the Casino Guru Awards grow stronger, not just in scale, but in purpose,” Daniela Sliva, PR & Creative Project Director at Casino Guru and leader of the Awards project, said. “The 2026 edition expands our mission to celebrate those who challenge the industry to be better through innovation, transparency, and responsible practices.”

She added that hosting the ceremony at The Xara Lodge in partnership with NEXT.io is the ideal way to honor the people and companies shaping a fairer and safer iGaming world.