Global Online Casino Awards Winners
We here at NZ Online Casinos do a lot of work researching and rating the best online casinos in New Zealand , but it is also good to take a look at the industry as a whole and check out what insiders think about the best Casino Awards out there. There a few prominent awards for casinos in general that also celebrate the best online casinos and suppliers. One caveat that we must mention is that even though a casino may be the considered the best internationally, they are not necessarily the best for Kiwis. A few software providers restrict their games in NZ like Aristocrat and some casinos that win awards do not focus on the New Zealand market so may not have good payment methods that are available in NZD. Unfortunately, there are also quite a lot of casinos that do not allow New Zealanders to register at all.
That being said, here is a look at some of the Awards that are given out globally and a list of winners in the online casino categories over the past five years or so. First, we will see who is giving out these awards.
Major eGaming and Casino Awards
eGR Casino Awards
The eGR Awards are handed out by eGaming Review, both a magazine and online publication that features news, opinion and analysis across the broad spectrum of eGaming. The focus here is on business news and industry developments, so they have an in-depth knowledge of the inner workings of all facets of the online casino market. The annual eGR Operator Awards are the ones we focus on and are considered to be the “Oscars of the eGaming sector”. The awards span both online casinos and sports betting and they also hand out rising star and game of the year awards as well as supplier awards. The big prize, however, is the Operator of the Year award.
Gaming Intelligence Awards
The GIA Awards are held annually by Gaming Intelligence, also a magazine and website that competes with eGR in the global interactive gaming industry, covers legal, financial and market news as well as analysis and opinion. Their awards started in 2013 and hand out a broader selection of awards to online casinos, sports betting websites and suppliers/software developers. The main categories that focus towards online casinos are Casino Operator of the Year, One to Watch, Operator Innovation, Casino Supplier of the Year and Game of the Year. The awards have been held for over a decade, starting way back in 2004 and some of the best online casinos and software providers have won.
Global Gaming Awards
The Global Gaming Awards are hosted by magazine and gaming news website, Gambling Insider, along with G2E, the Global Gaming Expo. They also use KPMG Europe to audit the awards to ensure impartiality. Judges for the awards come from all areas of the industry and include regulators, CEO’s from software suppliers like Microgaming and NetEnt, CEO’s from online casino operators like 888 and LeoVegas as well as a broad selection of other journalists and experts. There are two award ceremonies per year, one in London that includes online casino awards and one in Las Vegas, that only focuses on land-based casino awards and have been given out since 2014. They include recognition for Online Casino of the Year, Online Casino Supplier of the Year, Product of the Year and Payment Solution of the Year.
International Gaming Awards
The IGA Awards have been given out since 2008 by International Gaming Awards which entails industry leaders and publications iGaming Post and Infinity Gaming Magazine. These magazines and websites aim to connect industry experts and report on news and gaming developments. The awards span both land-based casinos and their digital counterparts with the top categories for online gaming including iGaming Software Supplier, Slot Provider, Mobile Operator and, most importantly, Online Casino Operator of the Year.
WIG Women in Gaming Diversity Awards
IGA also has an award ceremony dedicated entirely to women in gaming. Every year since 2010, women involved throughout the gaming industry are honoured for categories that include Innovator of the Year, Industry Pride, Outstanding Contribution, B2B Excellence, Leader of the Year, Young Star and Young leader. The companies also get awards for Company of the Year and Best Place to Work. There are more recent additions that focus on diversity in the workplace such as Diverse and Inclusive Team of the Year and Diversity & Inclusion.
List of Major Category Winners of Casino Awards
| Online Casino / Supplier | Awards | Category | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gamesys Group | eGR Virtual Awards | Operator of the Year | 2020 |
| GVC Holdings | eGR Virtual Awards | Safer Gambling Operator of the Year | 2020 |
| Bojoko | eGR Virtual Awards | Casino Affiliate | 2020 |
| Kindred Group | eGR Virtual Awards | Casino Operator | 2020 |
| Gamesys Group | eGR Virtual Awards | Employer of the Year | 2020 |
| Iron Dog Studio – Branded Megaways | eGR Virtual Awards | Game of the Year | 2020 |
| Betsson Group | eGR Virtual Awards | Customer Services Operator | 2020 |
| Microgaming | eGR Virtual Awards | Platform of the Year | 2020 |
| Relax Gaming | eGR Virtual Awards | Casino Software Supplier | 2020 |
| Playtech | eGR Virtual Awards | Multi-channel Supplier | 2020 |
| Evolution Gaming | eGR Virtual Awards | Live Casino Supplier | 2020 |
| Kindred Group | eGR Virtual Awards | Mobile Casino Product | 2020 |
| Red Tiger (part of NetEnt) | eGR Virtual Awards | Slot Supplier | 2020 |
| Paddy Power | eGR Virtual Awards | Slots Operator | 2020 |
| Luckbox | eGR Virtual Awards | Rising Star | 2020 |
| MuchBetter | eGR Virtual Awards | Innovation in payment solutions | 2020 |
| 888.com | eGR Awards | Casino Operator | 2019 |
| Kindred Group (32Red/Roxy Palace) | eGR Awards | Mobile Casino Product | 2019 |
| Flutter Entertainment | eGR Awards | Slots Operator | 2019 |
| GVC Holdings (Party Casino+) | eGR Awards | Operator of the Year | 2019 |
| Evolution Gaming | eGR Awards | Game of the Year | 2019 |
| Playtech | eGR B2B Awards | Bingo Supplier | 2019 |
| Red Tiger | eGR B2B Awards | Mobile Gaming Software Supplier | 2019 |
| Betsoft | eGR B2B Awards | Innovation in RNG Casino Software | 2019 |
| Microgaming | eGR B2B Awards | Innovation in Slot Provision | 2019 |
| Evolution Gaming | eGR B2B Awards | Live Casino Supplier | 2019 |
| Play’n GO | eGR B2B Awards | Mobile Supplier | 2019 |
| Yggdrasil | eGR Awards | RNG Casino Supplier | 2018 |
| NetEnt | eGR Awards | Slot Supplier | 2018 |
| Evolution Gaming: Lightning Roulette | eGR Awards | Game of the Year | 2018 |
| William Hill (WMS) | eGR Awards | Slots Operator | 2018 |
| ELK Studios: Wild Toro | eGR Awards | Game of the Year | 2017 |
| LeoVegas | eGR Awards | Mobile Casino Product | 2017 |
| Bet365 | eGR Awards | Operator of the Year | 2017 |
| NetEnt: Guns n’ Roses | eGR Awards | Game of the Year | 2016 |
| Unibet | eGR Awards | Operator of the Year | 2016 |
| Mr Green | eGR Awards | Slots Operator | 2016 |
| NetEnt: Spinata Grande | eGR Awards | Game of the Year | 2015 |
| Gala Coral Interactive | eGR Awards | Operator of the Year | 2015 |
| LeoVegas | eGR Awards | Slots Operator | 2015 |
| Evolution: Immersive Roulette | eGR Awards | Game of the Year | 2014 |
| William Hill | eGR Awards | Operator of the Year | 2014 |
| Quickspin: Big Bad Wolf | eGR Awards | Game of the Year | 2013 |
| 888Casino | eGR Awards | Operator of the Year | 2013 |
| Casumo | eGR Awards | Rising Star | 2013 |
| Mr Green | eGR Awards | Socially Responsible Operator | 2012 |
| 32Red | eGR Awards | Casino Operator | 2011 |
| William Hill | eGR Awards | Operator of the Year | 2011 |
| Bet365 | eGR Awards | Operator of the Year | 2010 |
| 888 Holdings | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Casino Operator of the Year | 2020 |
| Betsson Group | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Socially Responsible Operator | 2020 |
| Monopoly Live By Evolution Gaming | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Game of the Year | 2020 |
| Evolution Gaming | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Casino Supplier | 2020 |
| Skywind Group | Gaming Intelligence Awards | One To Watch | 2020 |
| SG Vision by Scientific Games | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Supplier Innovation Award | 2020 |
| Ninja Casino | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Casino Operator of the Year | 2019 |
| Kindred Group (32Red, Roxy Palace) | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Socially Responsible Operator of the Year | 2019 |
| Red Tiger Gaming | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Casino Supplier of the Year | 2019 |
| Playtech | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Bingo Supplier of the Year | 2019 |
| Playtech | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Supplier Innovation Award | 2019 |
| Blueprint Gaming: The Goonies | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Game of the Year | 2019 |
| Big Time Gaming | Gaming Intelligence Awards | One to Watch Supplier Award | 2019 |
| Pokerstars Casino | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Casino Operator of the Year | 2018 |
| NetEnt | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Casino Supplier of the Year | 2018 |
| Playtech: Age of the Gods | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Game of the Year | 2018 |
| Videoslots | Gaming Intelligence Awards | One to Watch Award | 2018 |
| Amaya | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Casino Operator of the Year | 2017 |
| NetEnt | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Casino Supplier of the Year | 2017 |
| Be The House: Cash Out Roulette | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Game of the Year | 2017 |
| LeoVegas | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Casino Operator of the Year | 2016 |
| NetEnt | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Casino Supplier of the Year | 2016 |
| 888.com | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Casino Operator of the Year | 2015 |
| NetEnt | Gaming Intelligence Awards | Casino Supplier of the Year | 2015 |
| Leander Games | Gaming Intelligence Awards | One to Watch Award | 2015 |
| LeoVegas | Global Gaming Awards | Online Casino of the Year | 2020 |
| Evolution Gaming | Global Gaming Awards | Online Casino Supplier | 2020 |
| Red Tiger Gaming | Global Gaming Awards | Casino Product | 2020 |
| Trustly | Global Gaming Awards | Payment Solution | 2020 |
| LeoVegas | Global Gaming Awards | Online Casino of the Year | 2019 |
| Evolution Gaming | Global Gaming Awards | Online Casino Supplier of the Year | 2019 |
| NetEnt: Jumanji | Global Gaming Awards | Casino Product of the Year | 2019 |
| Kindred Group (32Red, Roxy Palace) | Global Gaming Awards | Corporate Responsibility Programme | 2019 |
| Evolution Gaming: Lightning Roulette | Global Gaming Awards | Product Innovation of the Year | 2018 |
| Bet365 | Global Gaming Awards | Digital Operator of the Yeart | 2018 |
| SG Digital | Global Gaming Awards | Digital Industry Supplier of the Year | 2018 |
| Hero Gaming: Casino Heroes 3 | Global Gaming Awards | Casino Product of the Year | 2018 |
| Mr Green | Global Gaming Awards | Corporate Responsibility Programme | 2018 |
| LeoVegas | Global Gaming Awards | Online Casino of the Year | 2018 |
| NetEnt | Global Gaming Awards | Online Casino Supplier of the Year | 2018 |
| Paysafe | Global Gaming Awards | Payment Solution of the Year | 2018 |
| NYX Gaming Group | Global Gaming Awards | Digital Industry Supplier of the Year | 2017 |
| Bet365 | Global Gaming Awards | Digital Operator of the Year | 2017 |
| Evolution Gaming: Dream Catcher | Global Gaming Awards | Digital Product of the Year | 2017 |
| NYX Gaming Group | Global Gaming Awards | Digital Gaming Innovation of the Year | 2016 |
| Playtech | Global Gaming Awards | Digital Industry Supplier of the Year | 2016 |
| 888 Poker | Global Gaming Awards | Digital Operator of the Year | 2016 |
| Microgaming – Quickfire | Global Gaming Awards | Digital Product of the Year | 2016 |
| Microgaming: VR Roulette | Global Gaming Awards | Digital Gaming Innovation of the Year | 2015 |
| NetEnt | Global Gaming Awards | Digital Industry Supplier of the Year | 2015 |
| Bet365 | Global Gaming Awards | Digital Operator of the Year | 2015 |
| Microgaming: Jurassic Park | Global Gaming Awards | Digital Product of the Year | 2015 |
| NetEnt | Global Gaming Awards | Digital Gaming Innovation of the Year | 2014 |
| GTECH | Global Gaming Awards | Digital Industry Supplier of the Year | 2014 |
| 888.com | Global Gaming Awards | Digital Operator of the Year | 2014 |
| Microgaming | Global Gaming Awards | Digital Product of the Year | 2014 |
| Casumo | IGA Gaming Award | Online Casino Operator | 2020 |
| LeoVegas | IGA Gaming Award | Online Gaming Operator of the Year | 2020 |
| Boomimg Games | IGA Gaming Award | Rising Star of the Year | 2020 |
| Play’n Go | IGA Gaming Award | RNG Casino Supplier of the Year | 2020 |
| Videoslots | IGA Gaming Award | Slots Operator of the Year | 2020 |
| IGT | IGA Gaming Award | Slot Provider of the Year | 2020 |
| Kindred | IGA Gaming Award | Socially Responsible Online Operator | 2020 |
| Casumo | IGA Gaming Award | Online Casino Operator | 2019 |
| Kindred (32Red, Roxy Palace) | IGA Gaming Award | Online Gaming Operator | 2019 |
| Play’N GO | IGA Gaming Award | Slot Provider | 2019 |
| LeoVegas | IGA Gaming Award | Mobile Operator | 2019 |
| Mr Green | IGA Gaming Award | Live Casino | 2019 |
| Yggdrasil | IGA Gaming Award | Innovator of the Year (Supplier) | 2019 |
| NetEnt | IGA Gaming Award | Mobile Product | 2019 |
| Red Tiger Gaming | IGA Gaming Award | iGaming Software Supplier | 2019 |
| LeoVegas | IGA Gaming Award | Best Live Casino | 2018 |
| Microgaming | IGA Gaming Award | iGaming Software Supplier | 2018 |
| Slots Million | IGA Gaming Award | Innovator Operator | 2018 |
| Yggdrasil | IGA Gaming Award | Innovator Supplier | 2018 |
| PlayNGo | IGA Gaming Award | Slot Provider | 2018 |
| Videoslots | IGA Gaming Award | Slots Operator of the Year | 2018 |
| Mr Green | IGA Gaming Award | Socially Responsible Online | 2018 |
| Yggdrasil | IGA Gaming Award | Innovator | 2017 |
| LeoVegas | IGA Gaming Award | Online Casino Operator of the Year | 2017 |
| Mr Green | IGA Gaming Award | Online Gaming Operator of the Year | 2017 |
| PlayNGo | IGA Gaming Award | Slot Provider | 2017 |
| Videoslots | IGA Gaming Award | Slots Operator of the Year | 2017 |
| Amaya | IGA Gaming Award | Socially Responsible Online | 2017 |
| Playtech | IGA Gaming Award | Technology Provider/Supplier | 2017 |
| IGT | IGA Gaming Award | Best User Experience in Mobile Award | 2016 |
| Paysafe | IGA Gaming Award | Corporate Services Supplier of the Year | 2016 |
| Yggdrasil | IGA Gaming Award | iGaming Software Supplier | 2016 |
| Microgaming | IGA Gaming Award | Innovator of the Year | 2016 |
| Mr Green | IGA Gaming Award | Mobile Operator of the Year | 2016 |
| PlayNGo | IGA Gaming Award | Mobile Product of the Year | 2016 |
| LeoVegas | IGA Gaming Award | Online Casino Operator of the Year | 2016 |
| NetEnt | IGA Gaming Award | Slot Provider/Supplier Product of the Year | 2016 |
| Videoslots | IGA Gaming Award | Slots Operator of the Year (Online) | 2016 |
| Playtech | IGA Gaming Award | iGaming Software Supplier | 2015 |
| PlayNGo | IGA Gaming Award | Mobile Product of the Year | 2015 |
| Mr Green | IGA Gaming Award | Online Casino Operator of the Year | 2015 |
| NetEnt | IGA Gaming Award | Slot Provider/Supplier Product of the Year | 2015 |
| LeoVegas | IGA Gaming Award | Slots Operator of the Year (Online) | 2015 |
| Skrill | IGA Gaming Award | Corporate Services Supplier of the Year | 2014 |
| Playtech | IGA Gaming Award | iGaming Software Supplier | 2014 |
| NetEnt | IGA Gaming Award | Innovator of the Year | 2014 |
| Mr Green | IGA Gaming Award | Online Casino Operator of the Year | 2014 |
| IGT | IGA Gaming Award | Slot Manufacturer/Provider Online or Land Based | 2014 |
| Playtech | IGA Gaming Award | iGaming Software Supplier | 2013 |
| Mr Green | IGA Gaming Award | Online Casino Operator of the Year | 2013 |
| Skrill | IGA Gaming Award | Payment Solutions Provider Company of the Year | 2013 |
| Bally | IGA Gaming Award | Technology Provider/Supplier | 2013 |
| 32Red | IGA Gaming Award | Online Casino Operator of the Year | 2012 |
| WIG Diversity Postponed to 2021 | WIG Awards | All Categories | 2020 |
| Britt Boeskov – Kindred | WIG Awards | Outstanding Contribution | 2019 |
| Kirsten Openshaw – Mr Green | WIG Awards | Industry Pride | 2019 |
| Christina Haralambous – Kambi | WIG Awards | B2B Excellence Award | 2019 |
| Bede Gaming | WIG Awards | Best Place to Work | 2019 |
| Play’n GO | WIG Awards | Best Use Of Technology | 2019 |
| Betsson Group | WIG Awards | Company of the Year | 2019 |
| IGT | WIG Awards | Diverse and Inclusive Team | 2019 |
| Microgaming | WIG Awards | Diversity & Inclusion | 2019 |
| Elaine Gardiner – Global Gaming | WIG Awards | Innovator | 2019 |
| Alexe Reichert – Mr Green | WIG Awards | Leader of the Year(Operator) | 2019 |
| Melissa Summerfield – Pragmatic Play | WIG Awards | Leader of the Year (Supplier) | 2019 |
| Lauren Iannarone – Playtech | WIG Awards | Industry Achiever | 2019 |
| Christine Chou – Jackpotjoy | WIG Awards | Employee of the Year | 2019 |
| Lucy Owen – Playtech | WIG Awards | Industry Pride of the Year | 2018 |
| Marieanne Carmody Weir – Aspers | WIG Awards | Outstanding Contribution | 2018 |
| Angela Houslay – IGT | WIG Awards | B2B Excellence Award | 2018 |
| Les Ambassadeurs Club | WIG Awards | Best Place to Work | 2018 |
| Microgaming | WIG Awards | Company of the Year | 2018 |
| Lorraine Sammut – Videoslots | WIG Awards | Innovator of the Year | 2018 |
| May Maceiras – The Stars Group | WIG Awards | Industry Achiever | 2018 |
| Debbie Wyatt – Aspers | WIG Awards | Employee of the Year | 2018 |
| Sarah Sculpher – Caesars | WIG Awards | Industry Pride of the Year | 2017 |
| Lydia Barbara – Microgaming | WIG Awards | Outstanding Contribution | 2017 |
| Janine Woodford-Dale – Microgaming | WIG Awards | B2B Excellence Award | 2017 |
| Little Star Media | WIG Awards | Best Place to Work | 2017 |
| Play’n GO | WIG Awards | Diversity Award | 2017 |
| Maris Bonello – Kindred | WIG Awards | Innovator of the Year | 2017 |
| Frida Östberg – NetEnt | WIG Awards | Industry Pride of the Year | 2016 |
| Nicola Hodgson – Crown Melbourne | WIG Awards | Outstanding Contribution | 2016 |
| Ebba Arnred – Play’n GO | WIG Awards | B2B Excellence Award | 2016 |
| Janine Jules – LeoVegas | WIG Awards | Affiliate Manager of the Year | 2016 |
| Cari Blomquist – IGT | WIG Awards | Employee of the Year | 2016 |
| Elizabeth Dutton – Playtech | WIG Awards | Industry Achiever | 2016 |
| Lydia Barbara – Microgaming | WIG Awards | Innovator of the Year | 2016 |