The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region has frequently stood out as a leading example of gaming’s success across all major markets, while the industry’s recognition of such instances was brought to new heights following the Global Gaming Awards APAC launch in 2021. Preparing to celebrate its fifth anniversary on 2 June, the Global Gaming Awards APAC will once again honor the region’s very best performers over the previous 12 months.

The Awards are powered by Global Gaming Insider and feature a rigorous and transparent judging process independently adjudicated by KPMG US. With the self-nominations window having closed on 9 March, Shortlisted companies for any category in the APAC region will be contacted directly by 20 April. The Global Gaming Awards serve as the only industry Awards to publicly disclose the reasons behind every nomination, ensuring credibility and trust across the entire process.

Operators take center stage

One of the most sought-after awards will be returning to Manila in June, as Casino Operator of the Year celebrates those who have gone above and beyond to create the best possible customer experience across all its properties. Galaxy Entertainment Group took home the honor for a second consecutive year in 2025, with Sands and Wynn Resorts finishing as runner-up and third, respectively. Each of last year’s acclaimed operators will hope to return to the podium in 2026, while fellow casino entities such as Melco Resorts and Grand Korea Leisure could also make a push to enter the fray given both’s success over the past 12 months.

DigiPlus & Casino Plus were honored with the Digital Operator of the Year award as part of last year’s event, while Light & Wonder went from Casino Supplier of the Year runner-up in 2024 to finishing first in the category for 2025. With notable suppliers such as Interblock and Aristocrat Gaming also in contention at Global Gaming Awards APAC 2026, Casino Supplier of the Year is sure to drive as much intrigue as its prior year renditions.

Regular star performers

Aristocrat didn’t leave the Global Gaming Awards APAC 2025 empty-handed, however, as the supplier was able to take home the Casino Product of the Year award for its Big Fu Cash Bats title. Wynn Resorts walked away with the Corporate Social Responsibility of the Year award despite its third-place finish for Casino Operator of the Year, having been recognized for the broader lengths it extends to ensure corporate responsibility.

Daisy Ho, Chairman & Executive Director of SJM Holdings, was honored with the Executive of the Year award at the Global Gaming Awards APAC 2025 and now heads into her eighth year under the position. Fellow APAC leaders have also made waves across the 12 past months, building anticipation for which key executive will be awarded in Manila on 2 June from the SiGMA Asia Summit.

Fellow honors such as Digital Casino, Digital Sports Betting Supplier, Integrated Resort and Table Game Product of the Year will also be recognized as part of the Global Gaming Awards APAC 2026, rounding out the highest benchmark of achievement in global gaming. As always, winners will be selected by an exceptional panel of senior industry executives with deep expertise in the Asia-Pacific 
gaming market.

"Integrity and excellence"

“The enthusiasm we’ve seen from operators, suppliers and stakeholders across the region towards our Awards truly highlights how strongly this industry believes in integrity and excellence. We’re incredibly grateful for the trust and support we’ve received over the past five years, and we’re excited to carry that momentum into 2026,” Global Gaming Insider Marketing Director Mariya Savova said.

“We look forward to bringing the industry together once again to celebrate innovation, leadership and achievement at the very highest level. We’re also sincerely thankful to our friends at SiGMA for hosting us as part of their summit and for their continued partnership.”

Gaming in the APAC region continues to return to normalcy after the effects of Covid-19, with Macau having reported a 24% year-on-year increase in gross gaming revenue to MOP 22.6bn ($2.8bn) for January 2026. The result exceeded analyst forecasts and marked the strongest monthly performance since October, extending a recovery trend which saw industry revenue grow 9.1% during 2025.

January 2026 also represented the eighth time in nine months that Macau’s monthly gaming revenue surpassed $2.48bn, reinforcing the market’s expectations of continued normalization in visitation and spending. Observers attributed the stronger outcome to favorable currency dynamics, improved VIP play and sustained mass-market demand from mainland China visitors.

As previously mentioned, the Global Gaming Awards APAC 2026 will be held in the same week as the SiGMA Asia Summit in Manila, Philippines, which drew 16,000 delegates from around the world in 2025. The conference featured over 250 speakers, 300 exhibitors and sponsors and 3,100 operators, with 87% of total attendees confirming they would likely return for the 2026 event.

Champions – and the future

Building upon its sister awards in the Americas and EMEA, the Global Gaming Awards APAC 2026 is sure to continue their legacy as the most prestigious and trusted Awards event in the global gaming industry. Savova continued: “I can’t believe it’s already been five years since we first brought the Global Gaming Awards to Asia Pacific. Watching the event grow into one of the most anticipated celebrations in the region has been 
incredibly rewarding.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be returning to Manila for the 2026 edition – a city that continues to be a vibrant hub for the industry. The way the Awards have been embraced across APAC has exceeded all our expectations.”
Various operators, suppliers and executives will be looking to join the illustrious list of Global Gaming Awards APAC winners over the event’s four-year history, including those which were able to generate positive momentum heading into 2026. Sands reported 32.2% revenue growth for its Marina Bay Sands property during FY2025 to $5.6bn, as well as $2.6bn of revenue from The Londoner Macao for an increase of 28.8%.

Not to be outdone, Galaxy Entertainment Group – which took home the Integrated Resort of the Year award for its Galaxy Macau property – increased revenue by 14% to HK$12.2bn (US$1.6bn) during Q3 2025. The operator also witnessed a 14% rise in adjusted EBITDA for the quarterly period to $422.1m despite slower travel periods in September, as well as the presence of Typhoon Ragasa which prompted a 33-hour Government-ordered casino closure.

The Global Gaming Awards APAC have come a long way even with just a half-decade legacy approaching, given the event first began online with a virtual ceremony until its in-person debut during 2024. Much like the region it annually recognizes, the Global Gaming Awards APAC have continued to grow throughout the years and now represent a mark of excellence any operator, supplier or executive sets out to achieve.

Voting for the Global Gaming Awards APAC 2026 will open on 4 May, when the judging panel will cast votes to determine a winner and runner-up in each category. Judges are excluded from voting in any category where a conflict of interest exists, guaranteeing the highest standards of integrity and impartiality. The official Shortlist will be unveiled to the public on 10 May, featuring the complete list of nominees alongside the reasons why each was Shortlisted for the Global Gaming Awards APAC 2026.

The Shortlist represents an incredible achievement any company or individual in gaming should be extremely proud of and is the key representative of their achievements over the past 12 months. Gaming in the APAC region enthralls millions every year, and it’s almost time to celebrate those who help power the industry to the highest extent.