Daniela Sliva: "It’s important that winning a category isn’t just about the photo-op with a trophy"

Daniela Sliva is the mastermind behind the Casino Guru Awards, guiding the project from its early stages to its third and most ambitious edition in 2025. In this interview, Sliva highlights the unique judging process behind the Awards, including in-depth analyses, interviews, and follow-up discussions to ensure that only the most deserving companies make the shortlist.

With a strong emphasis on ethics, responsibility, and innovation, everyone involved in the Casino Guru Awards understands that this is not just a personal PR opportunity or an additional task but a meaningful initiative with the potential to shape the gambling industry for the better.

Q: Daniela, you are the visionary behind the Casino Guru Awards, a project driven by your determination and unwavering commitment. As the third edition of the event approaches, are you satisfied with the progress so far, and did you ever imagine it would reach this stage?

When we first launched the project, I couldn’t have imagined that we’d be at this level today—planning a major event comparable to other prestigious award shows in the industry. It’s undoubtedly a significant challenge for us, but one that comes with great responsibility. We are putting our utmost effort into the preparations, and I truly believe this dedication will pay off.

Q: The Casino Guru Awards were designed to challenge traditional trends in award ceremonies. With the involvement of external judges providing input based on data and research, do you think this approach has resonated effectively with both the industry and consumers, and are you happy with the results so far?

I would never underestimate the value of other awards in the industry. Like us, they celebrate excellence in the field, and we all agree on the importance of recognizing outstanding effort, dedication, and results. However, our awards stand out primarily because of our unique winner selection process.

We have almost 30 judges, which is not uncommon, but what sets us apart is the depth of interaction between them. They conduct minimum 30-minute interviews about each shortlisted nomination, ask follow-up questions, and engage in in-depth discussions.

This ensures that every winner is thoroughly vetted and their achievements are well understood. After announcing the winners, we ensure that anyone can clearly articulate why a particular company won in a category. While a trophy picture on LinkedIn is memorable, we aim to elevate the winners’ true accomplishments, adding credibility not only to our awards but also to the winners themselves and everyone involved.

Q: One of the standout features of the Casino Guru Awards is the meticulous selection of categories. The event has placed a strong emphasis on highlighting ethics and social responsibility within the gaming industry. This focus continues to evolve, as demonstrated by the recent expansion of the format, including the addition of the "iGaming Changemaker of the Year" and the "Player’s Choice." What is the logic behind this continuous expansion?

From the very beginning, our awards have focused on safer and responsible gambling, as well as innovation. The addition of new categories is a strategic step in the project’s development, allowing us to reach a broader spectrum of companies and recognize the quality of their work, projects, and processes.

Q: The upcoming edition marks an exciting milestone – the first live ceremony, bringing together judges and applicants at the prestigious Hilton Hotel in St. Julian’s, Malta, on June 6, 2025. Why did you decide to transition to this format instead of continuing with the current format, which was hosted out of the Casino Guru Live Studio?

It’s fair to say the demand came from the ground up. If we hadn’t received such fantastic feedback from shortlisted companies, judges, and the wider public, we might not have embarked on this new journey. As the project grew, it felt like the right decision, and I view this inaugural live ceremony as just the beginning. I’m excited about the prospect of a similar conversation in five years, reflecting on how far the awards have come and what a major project it will have become by then.

Q: As the Casino Guru Awards continue to grow and the volume of applications increases, how are the judges managing this heightened demand? Do judges find the time to properly address every application, and how do you think the format’s jump in popularity would impact the judging process in the future? Do you foresee bringing in additional judges, for example?

While the number of nominations increases each year, it doesn’t necessarily mean more shortlisted candidates. Only companies that demonstrate tangible results make it to the shortlist. So, growth in applications doesn’t translate to an increased workload for judges.

That said, even if the workload grew, I don’t think it would be an issue. It’s inspiring to see how our judges engage with the project—not as a personal PR opportunity or an additional task, but as a valuable initiative. We maintain year-round communication, incorporate their feedback into process improvements, and create opportunities for meaningful networking among top specialists in the field.

We’ve even had inquiries from professionals eager to join our judging panel. For now, we’re happy with the current group, but as the awards expand with new categories, we’re open to the possibility of bringing in additional judges. However, all our steps are focused on maintaining the quality of our processes and preserving strong relationships and personal interactions within the panel.

Q: Awards ceremonies are often perceived as PR-driven events, with companies sometimes accused of doing the bare minimum to secure recognition in a given category. How is the Casino Guru Awards working to challenge this stigma and ensure its distinctions are meaningful and a recognized industry benchmark?

It’s important that winning a category isn’t just about a photo with a trophy for social media. During the awards presentation, we strive for maximum transparency by clearly explaining why each company won. This not only increases transparency but also honors the winner’s qualities, informs the public appropriately, and motivates the industry to achieve similar or even better results.

Q: What are your key aspirations for the Casino Guru Awards in 2025, and how will you judge the success of the event?

This year, we’re hosting a live ceremony, a completely new experience for us. We are approaching it with humility and giving the project our absolute best. Ultimately, the event’s success will be determined by public feedback. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!

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