Marina Ostrovtsova: "Being a changemaker means being willing to challenge familiar approaches and try new ideas"

Having recently won the Casino Guru Awards' iGaming Changemaker of the Year award, Marina Ostrovtsova, CEO at BGaming, sits down with Casino Guru News to talk about the achievement and what it means in pratctice.

Q: Marina, it’s great to have you with us again. You recently won the Casino Guru Awards’ iGaming Changemaker of the Year award. How does that feel? It’s great to see the work of BGaming team recognized by the industry.

Although the award was presented to me personally, I see it as recognition of what BGaming has been building over the years. We’ve always tried to approach things differently, whether through our games, publishing initiatives, partnerships, or community projects. The award shows that the industry values companies that are willing to experiment, take creative risks, and contribute something new.

Q: Why do you think you deserve the accolade, and what does being a "changemaker" in iGaming mean to you?

I’m not sure I’m the right person to judge whether I deserved it.

What I can say is that BGaming has never been comfortable staying within traditional iGaming boundaries. We constantly look for ways to create value beyond game releases, whether through supporting independent studios, collaborating with creators and public figures, launching charity initiatives, or exploring new product formats.

For me, being a changemaker means being willing to challenge familiar approaches and try new ideas. Not every experiment becomes a success, but progress rarely happens without curiosity and a willingness to move outside your comfort zone.

Q: BGaming has focused heavily on differentiating its iGaming experience in recent months. Do you think this contributed to your success at the Casino Guru Awards 2026?

I think so. Over the past few years, we have invested a lot of effort in building a company that stands out not only through its games but also through how it works with partners and engages with the wider industry.

We launched our Publishing Program to support independent studios, developed branded collaborations, expanded our casual portfolio, and continued investing in community and charity initiatives. These projects may be very different from one another, but they all reflect the same idea: creating something meaningful rather than simply following established formulas.

Q: Now that you’ve won such a competitive award, do you feel additional pressure to push even further as an industry changemaker? What might that look like in practice?

I wouldn’t describe it as pressure. Awards are encouraging, but they don’t fundamentally change our direction. We already have a clear strategy of where we want to go, and this recognition simply reinforces our belief that we’re moving in the right direction.

For BGaming, that means continuing to invest in innovation, supporting new talent through publishing, developing products that resonate with players, and creating partnerships that bring value to operators. The goal isn’t to change the industry overnight. It’s to keep making meaningful contributions over time.

Q: With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, do you see this as another opportunity for BGaming to shine? What are your immediate priorities for the months ahead?

The World Cup is always an exciting moment because it brings together sports, entertainment, and community on a global scale.

Football is particularly important in many of our key markets, especially in Latin America, so naturally we see opportunities there. We recently announced a partnership with Brazilian football legend Julio Cesar and are about to launch a new edition of Penalty Duel featuring him, while continuing to expand our football-themed content portfolio.

Q: Could you walk our readers through the Casino Guru Awards experience: from submitting your application to hearing your name announced at Xara Lodge on May 25? What stood out most about the process?

The Casino Guru Awards involve several stages of evaluation, including public voting and an industry jury assessment. This creates a balanced process that considers diverse perspectives while maintaining professional standards.

From the nomination stage through to the final ceremony, everything was organized very professionally. That’s important because awards carry more value when there is a clear and credible selection process behind them.

Q: Finally, why do you think the Casino Guru Awards matter to the industry?

The categories focus on topics such as social responsibility, transparency, fair treatment of players, industry culture, and positive change. These are areas that may not always generate the biggest headlines, but they have a huge impact on the long-term sustainability and reputation of our industry.

I also appreciate that the awards recognize both companies and individuals who are helping move the sector forward in different ways. It encourages businesses to think not only about performance, but also about the kind of industry we want to build for the future.

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