Casino Guru has officially kicked off the Casino Guru Awards 2027, and nominations are now being accepted. This year, the awards include a new category dedicated to individuals who actively enhance player protection. Nominations will be open until February 15, 2027.
The Player Protection Advocate of the Year award joins the roster in its fifth edition, building on the success of the 2026 season which saw the introduction of several innovative categories such as Woman Leader of the Year, Rising Star in Responsible Gambling, Young Changemaker Award, and Company Culture Shaper.
The new Player Protection Advocate of the Year accolade aims to honor those who significantly contribute to player safety by addressing and reducing gambling-related harm. "Player protection has always been closely connected to the Casino Guru Awards. With this new category, we want to give more visibility to the people across the industry who influence policy, develop better practices and bring organizations together around player protection," stated Simon Vincze, Head of Sustainable & Safer Gambling at Casino Guru.
The Casino Guru Awards 2027 will span across 13 categories, including:
– The Most Impactful Social Responsibility Initiative
– The Best Implementation of RG Tools
– Player Protection Advocate of the Year
– iGaming Changemaker of the Year
– Woman Leader of the Year
– Rising Star in Responsible Gambling
– Young Changemaker Award
– Company Culture Shaper
– The Most Transparent Casino
– The Fairest T&Cs
– The Most Effective Handling of Complaints
– Players’ Choice
– Voice of the People
Nominations can be submitted by individuals or organizations either for themselves or another nominee. Participants must select a category and fill out the official nomination form, and they are encouraged to provide a detailed nomination letter and supporting evidence to assist judges in their evaluations.
Winners will be chosen by a panel that includes Casino Guru experts along with external industry professionals. The selection process will involve reviewing nominations, public voting, and online interviews with selected candidates. The public will have a significant role in deciding the Players’ Choice and Voice of the People awards exclusively through voting.
The awards ceremony will be held in Malta on May 26, 2027, as a part of the NEXT Summit Valletta 2027, where winners will be announced in an invite-only event attended by shortlisted nominees, judges, and industry professionals.
Important dates to remember include:
– Nominations open: October 2026
– Nominations close: February 15, 2027
– Shortlisted nominees announced: March 1, 2027
– Public voting begins: March 1, 2027
– Judging period: April 30 to May 7, 2027
– Public voting closes: May 7, 2027
– Winners announced: May 26, 2027, at Casino Maltese, Malta.
