The Casino Guru Awards 2025 announced that the evaluation phase is underway. The panel of judges has already begun conducting online evaluation calls with all shortlisted candidates in various award categories. The awards ceremony will be held for the first time at an in-person, invitation-only event at the Hilton Hotel in St. Julian’s, Malta, on June 6, 2025.
According to explanations, these 30-minute sessions offer “a unique opportunity” for nominees to present their work, explain the vision behind their nominations, and engage in an open dialogue with the expert judges.
The evaluation calls, now a prominent part of the Casino Guru Awards process, go far beyond reviewing nomination forms. According to the announcement, “they put the human element at the forefront, giving judges the opportunity to hear directly from the people behind the innovations, initiatives, and platforms.”
This year’s process once again brought together two panels of judges, including in-house experts from Casino Guru and external professionals from across the iGaming landscape. While written nominations set the stage, it is these calls that allow judges to ask questions, explore specific areas in more detail, and 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 nominations come to life. We are looking for more than good intentions: we want to see passion, preparation, and a deep understanding of what impacts this industry. These conversations are often revealing for both parties, and sometimes a call can completely change the perception of a nomination,” said Daniela Sliva, Head of Public Relations and Creative Projects at Casino Guru.
After the calls, the judges have time to reflect and reassess, using both written materials and insights gained from the interviews before casting their votes anonymously. 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 is worth mentioning that even nominees who are unable to take the calls are still eligible to win, although participating gives them a powerful opportunity to present their case directly and stand out.
In addition to the categories evaluated by the judges, the Player’s Choice and Voice of the People categories are already open to public voting, with organizers seeking to reflect both industry expertise and real-world impact.
