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Industry Awards

IGT CEO Global Lottery Renato Ascoli Inducted into Lottery Industry Hall of Fame

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International Game Technology PLC announced that Renato Ascoli, IGT CEO Global Lottery, will be inducted into the Lottery Industry Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2024. Ascoli will be honored later this year at an event hosted by the Public Gaming Research Institute (PGRI) in conjunction with the World Lottery Summit in Paris.

“With nearly 20 years of experience serving in high-level positions in the lottery and gaming industries, Renato Ascoli is an accomplished senior executive whose leadership has been paramount in driving new business and innovation. Renato has a keen ability to identify and realize business growth opportunities, and his contributions will benefit the lottery industry for years to come. IGT congratulates Renato on his well-deserved induction into this year’s Lottery Industry Hall of Fame,” Vince Sadusky, CEO of IGT, said.

“I am incredibly honored to be inducted into the Lottery Industry Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024. Working in the lottery industry with many great leaders and innovators has been an absolute privilege. The future of the lottery industry is bright, and I look forward to helping our customers propel the modernization of lottery worldwide while continuing to generate funds for philanthropic causes,” said Ascoli.

In his current role, Ascoli is responsible for global lottery and iLottery sales and operations, product and sales development, and technology and support for IGT’s 90-plus lottery customers worldwide. Since the merger of GTECH and IGT in 2015, Ascoli has successfully led both the Global Lottery and Global Gaming business units for the Company. Some of the key achievements within his tenure have been launching sports betting with the Rhode Island Lottery, partnering with the Mississippi Lottery to initiate operations, deploying lottery terminals in Walmart retail stores, and rolling out IGT’s proprietary Cash Pop draw game, which is now live in over 15 jurisdictions.

Ascoli previously served as General Manager of GTECH S.p.A. (formerly known as Lottomatica Group S.p.A. and Lottomatica S.p.A.) and President of GTECH Products and Services, where he was responsible for overseeing the design, development, and delivery of state-of-the-art platforms, products, and services. Renato had also served as Head of Italian Operations in which he was responsible for the strategic direction and operations of the Company’s Italian businesses.

During his tenure leading Lottomatica, one of the largest lotteries in the world, Ascoli sustained the launch of the Gratta e Vinci (Scratch & Win) instant ticket brand in Italy. Additionally, he was instrumental in gaining the exclusive Lotto concession in Italy with a consortium led by IGT, Lottoitalia S.r.l. The Italian Lotto, and its associated games 10eLotto and MillionDAY, which are among the most popular and successful games in Italy.

The Lottery Industry Hall of Fame was founded by PGRI in 2005 as a means of honoring those who have done the most to make the lottery industry the great success that it is today. Membership is reserved for lottery professionals who have promoted excellence and integrity throughout their careers. Each year, former inductees nominate and vote on the final recipients.

The post IGT CEO Global Lottery Renato Ascoli Inducted into Lottery Industry Hall of Fame appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Judging the shortlisted: Casino Guru Awards 2025 evaluation phase begins

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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.

The post Judging the shortlisted: Casino Guru Awards 2025 evaluation phase begins appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Industry Awards

Wicked Games joins as sponsor for the 2025 Casino Guru Awards

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Casino Guru is excited to announce that Wicked Games will be joining the prestigious list of sponsors for the upcoming 2025 Casino Guru Awards, marking an exciting addition to this highly anticipated event. The awards, which celebrate excellence in the iGaming industry, will take place on June 6, 2025, at the Hilton Hotel in St. Julian’s, Malta.
The 2025 edition of the Casino Guru Awards promises to be a night of exceptional recognition, spotlighting those who lead the way in innovation, social responsibility, transparency, and positive influence within the industry. This year’s event will feature an exclusive live ceremony, offering an unparalleled opportunity to connect, celebrate, and raise the bar for the future of iGaming.
A commitment to excellence
Wicked Games joins a distinguished group of sponsors backing the Casino Guru Awards, an event that upholds the values of fairness, responsible gambling, and ethical business practices. By supporting this important initiative, Wicked Games is reaffirming its commitment to pushing for higher standards within the iGaming sector.
“Wicked Games is proud to support the Casino Guru Awards, an event that recognizes those driving transparency, responsibility, and forward-thinking in iGaming. Celebrating the industry’s best and pushing for higher standards is something worth backing, and we’re looking forward to an incredible evening in Malta,” said Karl von Brockdorff, Wicked Games‘ Head of Brand.
A night to celebrate industry leaders
The Casino Guru Awards 2025 will bring together the brightest minds, innovators, and trailblazers in the iGaming industry for a memorable evening of celebration and recognition. With its commitment to responsible gambling and industry leadership, the event is a must-attend for those dedicated to elevating the standards of the iGaming world.
Wicked Games joins other renowned sponsors including PayOp, Medier, BGaming, Evoplay, PIN-UP Global, and Winfinity, who are instrumental in ensuring the success of the Casino Guru Awards 2025.
The Casino Guru Awards 2025 will honor leaders across ten categories, including the newly introduced Players’ Choice and iGaming Changemaker of the Year awards.

The post Wicked Games joins as sponsor for the 2025 Casino Guru Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Amusnet Named Content Provider of the Year at the Italian Gaming Awards 2025

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Amusnet has announced that it has been awarded Content Provider of the Year at the prestigious Italian Gaming Awards. The ceremony took place on April 9 as part of the Italian Gaming Expo & Conference (IGE) at the Salone delle Fontane in Rome. This recognition highlights Amusnet’s commitment to delivering top-tier gaming content and maintaining excellence in one of Europe’s most dynamic and competitive markets.

The Italian Gaming Awards celebrate the best in the industry, honouring companies that are shaping the future of gaming in Italy through outstanding products, practices and performance. With over 110 nominees across 21 categories, this year’s event brought together leading operators, suppliers, regulators and public representatives to recognise achievement and leadership across the sector.

“It’s a great honor to be named Content Provider of the Year. This recognition reflects the dedication and passion of our incredible Amusnet Italy team. We remain committed to further strengthening our position in the Italian market by delivering engaging content that enhances the player experience and expanding our strategic partnerships,” said Polina Nedyalkova, Director at Amusnet Italy.

 

 

The post Amusnet Named Content Provider of the Year at the Italian Gaming Awards 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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