Casino Guru opens entries for 2027 awards with player protection category

Casino Guru has opened nominations for the Casino Guru Awards 2027, the fifth edition of the awards. Entries can be submitted until 15 February 2027. The 2027 programme introduces a Player Protection Advocate of the Year category alongside 12 others.

The 2027 edition builds on the 2026 awards, when several new categories were added, among them honours for female leadership, emerging responsible-gambling talent, young change agents and workplace culture. The 2027 programme comprises 13 categories in total, covering social responsibility, transparency, contract fairness and complaints handling.

The shortlist also features prizes for social responsibility work and for the strongest use of responsible-gambling tools, plus honours for sector innovators, female leaders, emerging responsible-gambling talent, young change agents and workplace culture. Rounding out the programme are categories recognising operator openness, fair contract terms, effective dispute resolution, and the direct verdict of players through Players’ Choice and Voice of the People.

Simon Vincze, Casino Guru's head of sustainable and safer gambling, said player protection has always been closely linked to the awards. He said the new category is intended to give greater visibility to people in the industry who influence policies, develop better practices and encourage collaboration between organisations on player protection.

Entries are open to companies and individual professionals, who may nominate themselves or put forward other people or organisations. Applicants select a category and complete the official form on the awards website, and may submit a more detailed nomination letter with documentation and supporting materials for the jury's assessment.

A panel of Casino Guru specialists and external industry professionals will assess the entries, reviewing the submitted materials and holding online interviews with finalists. Most awards will be decided by the expert panel, while Players’ Choice and Voice of the People will be determined entirely by public vote.

Nominations close on 15 February 2027, with finalists to be announced on 1 March. Public voting opens the same day and runs until 7 May, and jury assessments take place from 30 April to 7 May 2027. The awards ceremony will be held on 26 May 2027 at the Casino Maltese in Malta, alongside the NEXT Summit Valletta 2027, and is invitation-only.