The American Gambling Awards is on the horizon again, and this year, it welcomes new judges, fresh perspectives, and more expertise when it comes to the process of selection. The American Gambling Awards is also set to pick its nominees across 12 categories, including Online Sportsbook of the Year, Online Casino of the Year, a brand-new award, Advisor of the Year, and many more.

The 2025 American Gambling Awards promises to be more influential and forward-looking than ever, as the program welcomes a fresh slate of esteemed judges. This year's panel includes a blend of new and returning leaders, all recognized for their deep expertise and transformative impact on the US online gambling sector.

Influential new voices join esteemed judging panel

Among the latest additions to the panel are George Rover, the executive director of the Responsible Gaming Affiliate Association; Jay Deuskar, the CTO and co-founder of PrizePicks; Thomas Winter, responsible for spearheading Golden Nugget's success online and now serves on the board of Rush Street Interactive; and Ryan Spoon, the president of Yahoo Media Group.

These industry veterans will join returning judges, including Amy Howe, Chief Executive Officer of FanDuel; Jason Robins, Chief Executive Officer of DraftKings; and Adam Greenblatt, Chief Executive Officer of BetMGM. Together, the panel represents a dynamic cross-section of the online gambling ecosystem - from product development and media to regulatory and responsible gaming leadership.

The diverse mix ensures a balanced and insightful evaluation process for award nominees, bringing both technical insight and visionary leadership to the table.

A celebration of excellence and innovation

Presented by the Gambling.com Group, the American Gambling Awards is the only US program exclusively honoring achievements in the online gambling sector. Now in its fifth year, the program has grown into a premier industry event, shining a spotlight on trailblazers and game-changers.

"The American Gambling Awards were created to recognize the people and organizations driving progress in the US online gambling industry," said the CEO and co-founder of the Gambling.com Group, Charles Gillespie. "Now in our fifth year, the program has evolved into an elite celebration of leadership, innovation, and excellence. We're proud to continue shining a spotlight on the individuals and companies pushing our industry forward."

New award category highlights strategic impact

For 2025, the program introduces a new twist with the launch of the 'Advisor of the Year' category. Replacing the former 'Dealmaker of the Year,' this new honor broadens its focus beyond transactions, recognizing firms and individuals whose financial, strategic, or legal advisories have had a lasting influence on the future of the US gambling industry.

In total, there are 12 award categories for this year, including Online Sportsbook of the Year, Online Casino of the Year, Betting Product of the Year, Gaming Product of the Year, Platform Provider of the Year, Data Service Provider of the Year, Responsible Gaming Award, Payment Service Provider of the Year, Advisor of the Year (New), Policymaker of the Year, Regulator of the Year, and C-Suite Gaming Executive of the Year.

Key dates and prestigious ceremony

Nominations are now open and must be submitted by August 8. Finalists will be announced on August 26, with winners revealed on October 6. The celebration culminates in an exclusive, invitation-only dinner on November 19 at Italian restaurant Torrisi in NYC - a Michelin-starred venue known for its elegance and intimate ambiance.

Each winner will be awarded the iconic trophy, an 11-inch, cast-pewter, gold-plated statuette created by Society Awards - the same firm behind the Golden Globes and Emmys. Featuring an American Bald Eagle set before casino chips, the trophy is a symbol of excellence and prestige in the digital gaming world.

As the American online gambling sector continues to evolve, the 2025 American Gambling Awards sets the tone for what excellence means in a fast-growing and increasingly competitive market. With a judging panel brimming with visionaries and innovators, this year's awards are set to be the most impactful yet. For more details, including nomination forms and category descriptions, visit the official awards website at gambling.com/us/awards.