• The Hippodrome Casino - In 2025 the Hippodrome Casino reaffirmed its position as the UK’s leading gaming and entertainment destination and one of Europe’s most respected casino brands. It became the first casino in Great Britain to open an in-venue sportsbook, a £1.5m collaboration with Flutter’s Paddy Power, transforming new gambling legislation into a seamless experience combining sport, gaming and hospitality. In the same year, the casino expanded its slot provision in line with the new legislation, now offering eighty of the latest machines across its five gaming floors, alongside the UK’s busiest poker room.

• Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer - The operator of the iconic Casino de Monte-Carlo & Casino Café de Paris continued to attract different categories of customers with numerous events throughout the year. On January 11th, together with Aristocrat Gaming, Monte-Carlo SBM organised a drone show in front of the Casino square, to celebrate the European preview of Phoenix Link. It also organised other game premieres, such as Kong, and an exclusive party dedicated to loyal customers on September 13th. All those events led to an increase of 22% of carded customers in the fiscal year.

• Casinos Austria - In 2025, Casinos Austria reaffirmed its leadership in responsible gaming, earning prestigious Global Gambling Guidance Group (G4) recognition for meeting the highest standards in player protection. Its 12 iconic casinos across Austria - from Vienna and Salzburg to Kitzbühel and Zell am See - continue to serve as key tourism and entertainment hubs, attracting both local and international guests. Offering a world-class mix of live games including roulette, blackjack, Macau baccarat, Sic Bo, and globally attended poker events, alongside a rich selection of slots, Casinos Austria delivers an unmatched gaming experience.

• The Victoria - The Victoria on London’s Edgware Road has long been associated with the British capital’s casino landscape and this year saw it complete a £15m renovation. This was the single biggest investment Grosvenor Casinos has ever made across its estate, celebrating "six decades of gaming history" at the property. Innovations included a new entrance, a redesigned first-floor layout, more slot machines, a complete restaurant redesign and more.

• Regency Casino Thessaloniki - In September, Regency Casino Thessaloniki unveiled The Piazza Project, a ground-breaking gaming and leisure complex that unites three of the world's leading slot machine manufacturers, Aristocrat Gaming, IGT, and Light & Wonder, within a unique open-air venue. Featuring four state-of-the-art gaming halls, world-class dining, and live entertainment, The Piazza marks a first-of-its-kind destination in Europe. With its bold design and dynamic calendar of events, it promises to remain a magnet for visitors and a leisure landmark on the European stage. The 3-day launch attracted 12,000 people, who enjoyed live music and VIP events. 

• City of Dreams Mediterranean - In 2025, City of Dreams Mediterranean continued to elevate its status as one of Europe’s most sophisticated gaming destinations. The resort enhanced its casino floor with new installations of EGT’s General Series slot cabinets, expanding its already diverse and premium gaming portfolio and delivering richer experiences for both local and international players. This year also marked key strategic advancements, including a luxury golf partnership with Limassol Greens. Additionally, the opening of its 5,000 sq. m Adventure Park - one of the largest in Cyprus - further solidified City of Dreams Mediterranean as a comprehensive entertainment powerhouse.

• Gran Madrid | Casino Torrelodones - 2025 has been a year of evolution for Gran Madrid. In January, regulars were pleasantly surprised by a partial refurbishment which introduced state of the art machine terminals into the counter of the new bar. This wasn’t the end of the upgrades, with IGT announcing in April that it had installed its PeakBarTop cabinet at the Knockout sports bar in Gran Madrid. And just to emphasise the prestige of the venue, crowds flocked to the CNP Winamax Grand Final at the casino in November. 

• Sun City Hotel and Casino - In 2025, Sun City Hotel & Casino advanced a major R350m (€18m) refurbishment, transforming the property as part of a wider R530m (€27m) investment. The redesigned casino entrance and Africa-inspired interiors - drawing from Tswana artistry - elevate guest flow, luxury and the overall high-end gaming experience. With 24/7 slots, table games and premium facilities, Sun City continues to deliver world-class entertainment while restoring the venue to its legendary status. As the project reaches over 70% completion ahead of the festive season, Sun City stands renewed, culturally resonant and stronger than ever.

• Casino di Campione – In 2025, Casino di Campione continued its remarkable resurgence as one of Europe’s most prestigious land-based gaming destinations, combining architectural grandeur with a revitalised, modern gaming experience. Its expansive casino floor - among the largest on the continent - offers a premium mix of slots, tables, tournaments and high-limit experiences, attracting an international audience from Italy, Switzerland and beyond. In June/July, the casino hosted the first-ever PokerStars Italian Poker Challenge, featuring 10 events and bringing players from across Europe to the stunning Lake Lugano.

• Emperors Palace – 2025 was a transformative period for the South African casino, which successfully brokered new partnerships with the likes of Aristocrat, TCSJOHNHUXLEY, IGT, Gaming Arts, Apex Gaming and more over the course of the year. Roulette Xtra and games, such as Clover Link Xtreme, Dollar Storm, Miner’s Dream are amongst the latest additions to the casino floor. Further, Emperors Palace successfully oversaw a range of giveaway initiatives during 2025, including running its Vegas Dreams promotion for Q4, which saw R2.4m (€120K) handed out to casino contestants.   

The Casino of the Year category is sponsored by SmartSoft:
Founded in Georgia in 2015 by industry experts, SmartSoft set out to create a one-of-a-kind casino games provider that offers high-quality gaming experiences worldwide. By combining interactive features with captivating visuals, we blend gaming and gambling to deliver more engaging, entertaining, and superior experiences. Our mission is not just to attract players but to enhance their enjoyment. SmartSoft is recognized for visually stunning, interactive games that set industry standards. With a diverse portfolio and partnerships in over 70 countries, we have a strong global presence.