The expert jury of the Best iGaming Experts Annual Awards has formally received the 2026 shortlist and opened deliberation. Over the next two weeks, the panel will decide the winners in all three categories through structured discussion held in three rounds.
The panel
- Vera Vilchek — National Gambling Authority
- Gregory Matesienkevic — Gambling SEO&PPC Club; CEO, Galaxticion LTD
- Nick LeBraune — Charity & Non-Commercial Dept, NDA iGaming Holding
- Craig Himsworthy — iGaming expert and journalist
- Christian Heins — founder of the European Gambling Gathering; commercial iGaming strategy, digital marketing and growth; speaker and moderator
- Karsten Kasteleiner — Head of Public Policy at Tipico
- Alexios Isaakidis — Head of Product, MERKUR eSOLUTIONS
The seven-member panel deliberately spans the full breadth of the industry — regulation, public policy, marketing, commercial strategy, product, social impact and media — so that every finalist is assessed from every angle that matters.
Three rounds to a decision
Deliberation follows the award's published methodology. In the first round, each jury member independently reviews every shortlisted expert. The second round is an open discussion in which finalists are matched to categories and the field is narrowed. In the third and final round, the jury agrees on one winner per category.
Deliberation runs from July 17 to July 31. In keeping with the award's commitment to openness, the jury's final decision will be published on this site on August 1, 2026.
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