Judging the shortlisted: Casino Guru Awards 2025 evaluation phase begins

The Casino Guru Awards 2025 have reached an exciting milestone: evaluation time. On April 22 and 23, our esteemed panel of judges will begin conducting online evaluation calls with all shortlisted candidates across various award categories. These 30-minute sessions offer a unique opportunity for nominees to present their work, explain the vision behind their nominations, and engage in open dialogue with our expert judges.
Interactive, insightful, impactful

The evaluation calls, now a signature part of the Casino Guru Awards process, go far beyond reviewing nomination forms. They bring the human element to the forefront, giving judges the chance to hear directly from the people behind the innovations, initiatives, and platforms.

This year’s process again brings together two panels of judges, featuring both internal Casino Guru experts and external professionals from across the iGaming space. While the written nominations set the stage, it’s these calls that allow judges to ask questions, explore specific areas in more detail, and truly assess how well each nominee embodies the values of the Casino Guru Awards: fairness, transparency, innovation, and social responsibility.

“This part of the process is where the nominations come alive,” says Daniela Sliva, PR & Creative Project Director at Casino Guru and the visionary behind the Awards. “We’re looking for more than good intentions—we want to see passion, preparation, and a deep understanding of what makes an impact in this industry. These conversations are often eye-opening for both sides, and sometimes a call can change the whole perception of a nomination.”

A fair and rigorous selection
All shortlisted candidates will be evaluated through these live sessions, which are a vital piece of the final voting process. After the calls, judges are given time to reflect and reassess, using both written materials and insights gained from the interviews before anonymously casting their votes.

As in previous years, each judge receives three points to distribute among the candidates in each category. The winner is then determined through a transparent point-counting process.
It’s worth noting that even nominees who are unable to attend the calls are still eligible to win—though participating gives them a powerful chance to make their case directly and stand out. The process is intentionally designed to reward engagement, readiness, and integrity.

Looking toward Malta
The anticipation is building toward the Casino Guru Awards 2025 Gala Ceremony, taking place for the first time as a live, invite-only event at the prestigious Hilton Hotel in St. Julian’s, Malta, on June 6, 2025. Here, winners across all categories will be revealed in what promises to be a grand celebration of responsibility and achievement in iGaming.

In addition to the judge-assessed categories, the Players’ Choice and Voice of the People are already open for public voting—further reinforcing the Awards’ mission to reflect both industry expertise and real-world impact.

As the evaluation calls commence, we at Casino Guru celebrate every shortlisted nominee who has made it this far. Your innovation, effort, and commitment to a better gambling environment have already earned you a place among the industry’s elite.