The Global Gaming Awards EMEA 2026 returns to Barcelona on January 19. Self-nominations are open across 16 categories.
The Global Gaming Awards EMEA is heading back to Barcelona for its second year in the Catalan capital.
The prestigious industry ceremony will take place on January 19, 2026, celebrating the best operators, game developers, and innovators across the European, Middle Eastern, and African gaming markets.
After spending decades in London, the awards relocated to Barcelona in 2025, aligning with ICE’s move to the sunnier Spanish city. If last year’s event was any indication, the 2026 ceremony promises another evening of industry recognition and celebration at one of gaming’s most anticipated annual gatherings.
Nomination Process for Operators, Payment Providers, and Suppliers!
Companies across the gaming sector can now submit self-nominations across 16 award categories. The nominations encompass a wide range of entities, including retail and online operators, game suppliers, platform providers, and emerging companies. Self-nominations are open on the Global Gaming Awards website for any company that believes they’ve made significant contributions to the EMEA gaming landscape over the past year.
Once the nomination window closes, an independent judging panel of senior industry executives will review submissions and compile the official shortlist, which is typically released in late December. This gives shortlisted companies a few weeks to prepare before the January ceremony.
Source: As always, here at Casinoplubonus, we use reputable sources, and for this news piece, the information we’ve provided you comes directly from the Global Gaming Awards website.
How Winners Are Decided
The Global Gaming Awards maintains a rigorous judging process to ensure fairness and credibility. Judges with conflicts of interest are excluded from voting in relevant categories, and the entire voting process is independently adjudicated and audited by KPMG in the Crown Dependencies. It’s this oversight that has helped the awards maintain their reputation as one of the industry’s most respected recognition programs.
At the ceremony itself, Mariya Savova, the Global Gaming Awards Event Manager, hosts the evening, while Rick Arpin, Office Managing Partner of KPMG Las Vegas, announces the winners across all categories. Each category recognizes three companies: third place, runner-up, and winner.
2025’s Barcelona Winners Set the Standard
The Global Gaming Awards EMEA 2025 event, held on January 20, 2025, at The Market Restaurant at Fira Barcelona Gran Via, saw some familiar names take home trophies. The Hippodrome Casino claimed Casino Property of the Year. I am personally a fan of the casino, as I visit the establishment often, not just to have a couple of Camden Pale Ales and fish and chips across the street at the Porqupine Pub, but before that, I love to grind on the PokerStars Live tables there.
In the digital space, Light & Wonder’s Squid Game: One Lucky Day won 2025’s Online Slot of the Year, demonstrating that branded content can genuinely resonate with players when executed effectively. The slot clearly struck a chord across markets, combining the popularity of the Netflix series with engaging gameplay mechanics.
Soft2Bet secured Platform Provider of the Year, while Games Global earned Breakthrough Company of the Year, highlighting the continued innovation happening across the gaming technology sector. Other notable winners included Bet365 for Online Sports Betting Operator of the Year, Pragmatic Play for Online Casino Supplier of the Year, and BetMGM for Online Casino of the Year.
The 2025 event drew live attendees and was also livestreamed, allowing industry professionals who couldn’t attend in person to follow along. In total, 49 brands received recognition across the 16 categories, with one category ending in a tie for third place.
What to Expect in 2026
The 2026 ceremony will follow a similar format, bringing together operators, suppliers, regulators, and other gaming professionals for an evening of industry recognition and celebration. For players and gaming enthusiasts, these awards offer insight into which companies are setting the pace in game development, player experience, and responsible gaming practices.
The awards also spotlight emerging trends and innovations that often filter down to player experiences, whether that’s new game mechanics, improved platforms, or enhanced payment solutions. Keep an eye out for the December shortlist announcement to see which companies are in the running for 2026’s top honors.
The Global Gaming Awards EMEA remains one of the industry’s key moments for recognizing excellence, and with Barcelona as its new home, the 2026 event is expected to deliver another memorable evening of celebration and recognition.
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