Michael Bregovic: "Winning this award is not a finish line for us"

Michael Bregovic, Head of Casino at Gamblezen, sits down with Casino Guru News to discuss what led to the casino's win in the Most Transparent Casino category at the recently concluded Casino Guru Awards 2026. Bregovic outlines why the company applied in the category specifically, what challenges it faced, and how it felt confident that it would make it through the end.

Q: Gamblezen Casino has just won the Casino Guru Award in the Most Transparent Casino category. How does this feel?

We are truly honored to receive this recognition. Transparency has always been one of the core principles behind Gamblezen, so winning this award feels especially meaningful for our entire team. It is encouraging to see these efforts acknowledged by an independent and respected industry platform such as Casino Guru.

Q: We will be the first to tell you that winning in this category is a sign of exceptional commitment towards player safety. When you first thought about submitting your application in this category, were you confident that it accurately captures what Gamblezen Casino stands for?

Yes, absolutely. We believed this category genuinely reflects the values we aim to build our brand around. For us, transparency is not simply a marketing concept - it affects how we communicate with players, how we handle complaints, how we approach responsible gaming, and how openly we present our terms and processes.

Q: Were there specific challenges when you applied: did you feel that the expectations were higher than what you originally thought?

The process was thorough, which we see as a positive thing. Categories focused on transparency naturally require a higher level of scrutiny and attention to detail. That said, we welcomed the challenge because it also gave us an opportunity to review our own internal standards from a different perspective.

Q: Was there an opportunity for you to learn from participating in the Casino Guru Awards format?

Definitely. Participating in the Awards process encouraged us to take an even closer look at certain operational aspects and player-facing processes. It is always valuable to receive external evaluation, especially in areas related to trust, fairness, and communication.

Q: Has the experience led to a rethinking of what "transparent" means in iGaming, and do you see any room for further improvement now that you have secured the accolade?

Transparency in iGaming is something that constantly evolves alongside player expectations and industry standards. Winning this award is not a finish line for us - it is motivation to continue improving. There is always room to make communication clearer, processes faster, and player interactions more straightforward and user-friendly.

Q: The Most Transparent Casino award is ultimately voted on and recognized by an independent body: what does it mean to receive that kind of external validation as opposed to simply self-reporting your own standards?

External recognition carries significantly more value because it comes from an independent evaluation process. Any company can describe itself positively, but receiving acknowledgment from a respected third party helps validate that these standards are genuinely reflected in practice.

Q: For other casinos that may be considering applying for this category in future editions of the Casino Guru Awards, what advice would you give them, and what do you think separates genuinely transparent operations from those that treat it as a marketing exercise?

Transparency has to be part of the company culture rather than a temporary initiative prepared for an award application. Players quickly recognize the difference between genuine openness and purely promotional messaging. Clear communication, fair terms, responsive support, and consistent treatment of players over time are what truly define a transparent operation.

We would encourage other operators to approach transparency as a long-term commitment rather than a branding exercise.

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