As the only iGaming awards originating from Norway, the Kongebonus Awards are decided entirely by open player voting, offering a rare, unfiltered view into what truly resonates with a dedicated gaming community. Kongebonus Editor-in-Chief, David Nilsen, explains how this year’s results reflect shifting player expectations, highlight both emerging and established studios, and contribute to wider industry conversations around quality, innovation and long-term engagement.
The Kongebonus Awards are now in their fourth year. How have you seen them evolve since the first edition?
Since the first edition, the Kongebonus Awards have grown both in reach and in significance. What started as a way to highlight standout games for our Norwegian audience has developed into a recognised annual moment where player sentiment is clearly reflected back to the industry. Each year we see greater engagement from the community and more awareness among studios and suppliers about what the awards represent. The structure has also matured, with categories that better capture the diversity of modern game development. Most importantly, the awards have become a consistent reference point for which games and providers have truly connected with players over the past year, giving the results increasing weight within the wider iGaming conversation.
This year’s awards were presented in connection with ICE Barcelona. How important is it to connect a Norwegian, player-driven initiative with the wider international industry?
Connecting the awards to an international event like ICE Barcelona helps bring local player insight into the global industry spotlight. While the voting comes from Norwegian players, the studios and games involved operate across many markets. Presenting the results in that setting underlines that player preferences in Norway are part of wider trends in iGaming. It also allows international stakeholders to see how a Nordic audience responds to different styles of games, mechanics and themes. That perspective can be valuable for product planning and market strategy.
This year’s winners were decided through open public voting. Why is it important that the results reflect the voice of players so directly?
Having the winners decided through open public voting ensures the results are grounded in real player experience. The recognition comes directly from the people who have spent time with the games, formed opinions and chosen their favourites. That gives the awards a strong sense of authenticity. It moves the focus away from internal industry perspectives and places it firmly with the end users. For studios, this kind of recognition signals that their work has genuinely resonated with players, not just performed well commercially. Player-led results offer a clear and transparent indicator of which games and providers have built lasting appeal, and that makes the outcomes especially meaningful within the industry.
The awards focus not only on commercial performance, but also on quality, innovation and player experience. From this year’s winners, what stood out most to you?
What stood out most was the balance between creativity and accessibility. Players clearly reward innovation, but only when it is paired with strong execution and an enjoyable overall experience. Many of the recognised titles combine distinctive mechanics with clear game identity and smooth gameplay. There is also evidence that consistency matters. Studios that repeatedly deliver engaging, reliable experiences tend to build strong followings, and that loyalty is reflected in the voting.
How do categories such as Rising Star Game Developer and the Readers’ Hall of Fame help ensure the awards spotlight both emerging studios and more established names?
These categories make sure the awards reflect the full spectrum of achievement in the industry. The Rising Star category gives visibility to newer studios that are already making a strong impression with players through innovation and creativity, even if they do not yet have the scale of the largest providers. In contrast, the Readers’ Hall of Fame recognises games that have achieved lasting popularity and become long-term favourites. Including both perspectives shows that excellence is not limited to one stage of growth. It highlights that players value both fresh ideas and proven experiences.
Looking ahead, how do you expect the awards to continue growing, and what role do you see Kongebonus playing in shaping player-led conversations in the industry?
As player expectations continue to change, the awards will develop alongside them. The aim remains to document and highlight the studios and games that genuinely stand out from a player perspective. Over time, this may mean refining categories or exploring new ways to reflect emerging trends, while keeping open voting at the core. Kongebonus will continue to act as a bridge between players and the industry, translating community sentiment into insights that studios and suppliers can learn from. By keeping the focus on player experience and feedback, the awards can play a growing role in encouraging the industry to prioritise quality, innovation and long-term player engagement.
To find out more about this year’s Kongebonus Awards and see the full list of winners, visit: https://www.kongebonus.com/nyheter/vinnere-av-kongebonus-awards-2025/
