EGR Italy Awards 2026: Shortlist for Top Affiliates Announced

The excitement in the European iGaming industry is building as the organizers of the prestigious EGR Italy Awards 2026 have officially released the shortlist for this year's affiliate categories. These specialized awards shine a light on the top performing affiliates driving the Italian market forward. It is not just about raw volume, but primarily about excellence in traffic generation, technological growth, and the quality of partnerships with licensed operators. The celebratory ceremony will take place on October 20, 2026, at the luxurious Rome Cavalieri hotel, where the elite of the industry will gather.

Italy has for years been considered one of the most strictly regulated yet lucrative markets in Europe. The nominations show a mix of established heavyweights and innovative networks that must hold their ground in an environment characterized by strict advertising bans and high regulatory requirements. Affiliates play a crucial role here as a bridge between players and legal offerings by creating value through content and transparency.

Numbers and facts

The shortlist includes four core categories for affiliates. In the prestigious Affiliate of the Year category, companies such as Big4Play.Live, Betandeal, Casino2k, DT9 Group, Hub Affiliations, and iGaming.com are featured. These firms have delivered an exceptional overall performance according to the judges. In the Casino Affiliate sector, almost the same players are competing, underlining the dominance of this group in the casino vertical. For the sports betting sector, which is traditionally strong in Italy, sitiscommesse.com and Sporticos by Hub Affiliations were among those nominated.

A special feature of the EGR Italy Awards 2026 is the auditing process. The awards are adjudicated by Deloitte to ensure that the results are completely transparent and verifiable. In total, the entire award show covers 29 categories spanning the full spectrum of Italian gambling, from operators to service providers.

"The EGR Italy Awards honour the standout achievements that are shaping the future of the Italian igaming sector, celebrating the operators, affiliates and service providers that have excelled in innovation, sustainability, customer engagement and product development in the last 12 months." - Quote from the official EGR Italy Awards event page

Background

The Italian market often serves as a blueprint or a warning for other European nations. With the "Decreto Dignità," comprehensive advertising bans for gambling were introduced several years ago. This fundamentally changed the work of affiliates. They are no longer allowed to advertise in a classical sense but must act informatively and educationally. This year's nominees have proven that they have perfected this model. The host of the evening, sports journalist Anna-Maria Baccaro, will lead the program at the Rome Cavalieri, which is located on Rome's highest hilltop and offers panoramic views of the city.

Why it matters for German players

Although these are awards for the Italian market, many of the nominated companies are also active in Germany. For German players, this is an important seal of quality. An affiliate that receives an award or even a nomination in a strictly regulated market like Italy generally operates according to very high standards regarding player protection and transparency. In Germany, where the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) sets clear rules, this is essential.

German users should ensure that affiliates only promote casinos listed on the official whitelist of the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). These providers adhere to the deposit limit of 1,000 euros per month via the LUGAS system and offer the stake limit of 1 euro per spin on virtual slot machines. The professionalism celebrated at the EGR Italy Awards is often reflected in the quality of review reports and compliance with youth protection requirements, which are also indispensable for the German market under GGL supervision.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators with a German GGL license, such awards are a signal as to which partners might offer particularly sustainable cooperation. Since the GGL monitors very closely how affiliates advertise for casinos, collaborating with internationally recognized and audited networks like Betandeal or DT9 Group is a safety factor. Violations of advertising guidelines in Germany can lead to the revocation of a license. Professional affiliates who master complex markets like Italy are better trained to correctly implement strict German rules for bonus offers and player protection notices.