American Gambling Awards Evolves with Fresh 'Advisor of the Year' Category, Returns to Michelin-Starred NYC Venue

The American Gambling Awards program is kicking off its 2025 iteration with a refined vision for recognizing industry excellence. Established in 2019 as the inaugural awards program dedicated exclusively to the U.S. online gambling market, the event has matured into a marquee celebration of leadership and innovation spanning five years. This year brings a notable evolution: the introduction of the Advisor of the Year category, which replaces the previous Dealmaker of the Year award and broadens the recognition lens to honor strategic, financial, and legal advisory contributions shaping the sector’s trajectory.

Program Scope and New Recognition Categories

The 2025 American Gambling Awards framework encompasses 12 distinct award categories, casting a wide net across the competitive landscape. The lineup includes Online Sportsbook of the Year, Online Casino of the Year, Gaming Product of the Year, Betting Product of the Year, Platform Provider of the Year, Data Service Provider of the Year, and Payment Service Provider of the Year. Beyond operational excellence, the program also spotlights Responsible Gaming Award, Policymaker of the Year, Regulator of the Year, and C-Suite Gaming Executive of the Year.

The newly redesigned Advisor of the Year category represents a meaningful shift in how the American Gambling Awards acknowledges industry influence. Rather than focusing solely on transactional dealmaking, this award recognizes organizations whose strategic guidance has left an indelible mark on the regulatory, financial, and operational fabric of U.S. online gambling.

Judging Panel Combines Veteran Leadership with Fresh Perspectives

The selection process employs a 20-member judging panel, blending returning industry stalwarts with new voices. Continuing from last year’s cohort are Jason Robins (CEO, DraftKings), Amy Howe (CEO, FanDuel), and Adam Greenblatt (CEO, BetMGM)—figures whose strategic acumen has defined competitive betting and iGaming landscapes.

Complementing these veterans are four new panelists: Jay Deuskar (Co-Founder and CTO, PrizePicks), bringing innovation credentials from the daily fantasy segment; George Rover (Executive Director, Responsible Gaming Affiliate Association), anchoring regulatory and ethical standards; Ryan Spoon (President, Yahoo Media Group), representing media-side expertise; and Thomas Winter, whose track record building Golden Nugget’s digital presence and current role at Rush Street Interactive’s board bring operational depth.

This composition ensures diverse perspectives—from C-suite operators to independent advisors to regulatory specialists—while maintaining rigorous evaluation standards.

Celebrating Excellence: Venue and Trophy Design

Each American Gambling Awards winner receives a distinctive Golden Eagle trophy, a custom-designed 11-inch gold-plated cast-pewter sculpture. The statuette features an American Bald Eagle positioned before a casino chip tower—a symbolic representation of industry achievement. Society Awards, the production firm behind the Golden Globes® and Emmys®, has engineered these bespoke trophies, lending institutional prestige to the accolade.

The awards ceremony and celebratory dinner will take place in New York City at Torrisi, a Michelin-starred Italian restaurant renowned for its exclusivity and culinary acclaim. Following the success of last year’s gathering, this invitation-only event will unite winners, judges, and industry partners in an environment befitting the program’s elite status.

Timeline and Nomination Process

The nomination window for the American Gambling Awards 2025 program is now active. Key milestones include:

• August 8, 2025: Nomination deadline
• August 26, 2025: Finalists announcement
• October 6, 2025: Winners revealed
• November 19, 2025: Invitation-only celebration in New York City

Aspiring nominees can access the nomination form through the official awards portal at www.gambling.com/us/awards.

Industry Context: Why These Awards Matter

Charles Gillespie, Co-Founder and CEO of Gambling.com Group, framed the American Gambling Awards as a cornerstone initiative: “The program was created to recognize the people and organizations driving progress in the U.S. online gambling industry. Now in our fifth year, it has evolved into an elite celebration of leadership, innovation, and excellence. We remain committed to spotlighting the individuals and companies pushing our industry forward.”

Gambling.com Group, listed on Nasdaq under ticker GAMB, operates as a provider of marketing and sports data services for the global online gambling ecosystem. With roots extending back to 2006, the organization maintains offices across the United States and Ireland, serving 19 national markets through portfolio brands including Gambling.com, Bookies.com, and Casinos.com. Its sports data divisions—OddsJam, OpticOdds, and RotoWire—power consumer and enterprise applications in sports betting and fantasy sports.

The American Gambling Awards, now in their fifth year, represent a maturation of industry self-recognition, signaling how competitive and professionalized the U.S. online gambling sector has become.