Regulating the Game has opened nominations for the 2027 RTG Global Awards, expanding the program to 12 categories for its second edition. The awards will culminate at a gala dinner on 9 March 2027 at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth in Sydney.
The 2027 program adds six new categories: Gambling Harm Prevention Campaign, Research Impact, Sport and Wagering Integrity Initiative, Compliance Advisory, Black Market Disruption Initiative, and Distinguished Contribution. These join six returning categories introduced at the inaugural awards in March 2026: Leadership Voice, Safer Gambling Champion, Compliance Excellence, RegTech Solution, Community Impact Initiative and Emerging Leader.
Regulating the Game positioned the new Black Market Disruption Initiative category as a response to growing pressure from illegal and unregulated gambling activity in regulated markets. In the release, the organisation cited measures such as payment and ISP blocking, cross-border intelligence sharing, enforcement action and litigation, and disruption of payment rails, affiliate and advertising channels.
Nominations will be assessed by an independent judging panel. Confirmed panellists include Khalid Ali (International Betting Integrity Association), Kai Cantwell (Responsible Wagering Australia), Peter Cohen (The Agenda Group), Professor Paul Delfabbro (University of Adelaide), Don Hammond (Leagues Clubs Australia), Tracy Parker (Responsible Gambling Council), Dan Rule (Endeavour Group), Tess Salmon (Aube Communications), and Dan Waugh (Regulus Partners). Regulating the Game said further appointments will be confirmed, including “a senior gambling regulator of international standing.”
Nominations are open worldwide to individuals, organisations and initiatives for eligible work undertaken within the past 12 months, with self-nominations and third-party nominations accepted. “The inaugural awards showed the appetite across our sector to recognise the people and organisations lifting standards, strengthening integrity and improving outcomes,” said Paul Newson, Founder of Regulating the Game and Principal at Vanguard Overwatch. Nominations close on 21 December 2026, finalists will be announced on 1 February 2027, and winners will be recognised on 9 March 2027.
