Global Gaming Insider is delighted to unveil the Shortlist for the inaugural Industry Influencer of the Year category at the Global Gaming Awards Americas 2026.
Introduced for the first time this year, the category recognizes individuals across North and South America that have built an influential voice within the gaming industry and use their platform to make a meaningful impact.
While the Shortlist includes prominent content creators and slot streamers who have built highly engaged communities around gaming, the category goes well beyond social media reach or follower numbers.
Industry Influencer of the Year also recognizes those who use their voice and platform to speak about issues that matter to the industry, share knowledge, guidance and expertise, champion important causes and encourage meaningful conversations. As reflected in this year's diverse Shortlist, influence can take many forms, from creators bringing casino gaming to large online audiences to respected advocates, educators and commentators.
Mariya Savova, Marketing Director at Global Gaming Insider, said: "We created this category because there are so many people making a valuable contribution to gaming through the platforms and audiences they have built, and we felt that deserved recognition.
"What I particularly like about this Shortlist is how different the nominees are. Their influence comes from different places and they engage with very different audiences, but each has established a strong voice and is making a meaningful impact within our industry. That's exactly what we wanted this new award to celebrate."
Listed in no particular order, the Industry Influencer of the Year nominees are:
Bennie Mancino: With more than three decades of experience in casino operations and table games, Bennie Mancino has built his influence on deep industry knowledge, trusted relationships and a genuine commitment to advancing gaming. Through his highly engaged LinkedIn presence, Bennie shares insights, operational expertise and commentary that regularly encourages discussion among gaming professionals. He has expanded that influence through B in the Know, interviewing executives, innovators and thought leaders on topics spanning table games, casino operations, technology, AI, sports betting, security and leadership. Bennie’s ability to bring people together, share practical knowledge and give industry voices a platform has made him a respected connector and educator whose influence reaches across the gaming community.
Brian Cristopher: Brian Christopher has helped redefine the relationship between casino gaming and digital content, building BCSlots into one of the industry’s most recognizable creator brands. Through engaging slot content and a highly active community, he has introduced casino entertainment to millions of viewers while demonstrating the growing power of creator-led engagement. His influence now extends well beyond social media. Brian has collaborated with Gaming Arts to co-create his own slot machines, is a DraftKings Casino ambassador, and has developed branded BCSlots Cruises with Carnival and Princess. With millions of followers and views across his platforms, Brian has played a significant role in bringing slot gaming to new audiences and establishing content creators as an influential part of the wider gaming industry.
Paul Speirs-Hernandez: Paul Speirs-Hernandez has spent decades helping shape both the companies and the people behind the gaming industry. Through Steinbeck Communications, he has worked with some of gaming’s most prominent organizations, helping brands and executives communicate their stories and establish influential industry voices. Through Red Wagon Institute, Paul extends that impact directly into leadership development, team building, sales and communications training for operators, suppliers and regulatory organizations. A regular industry speaker and internationally published writer, he has also been particularly active in supporting the development of future Tribal gaming leaders. By combining communications expertise with leadership development, Paul has created a distinctive platform for influencing how gaming organizations communicate, collaborate and develop the people who will lead the industry forward.
Francine Maric: Francine Maric, better known as Lady Luck HQ, has established herself as one of the leading voices in casino content and one of the industry’s most prominent female gaming creators. Through entertaining and relatable slot and casino content, she has built a community of more than one million YouTube subscribers while expanding her influence across multiple social platforms. Her standing within the industry was further demonstrated through an exclusive ambassador partnership with FanDuel Casino, encompassing content, customer events and responsible gaming education. By combining significant reach with an authentic connection to her audience, Lady Luck HQ continues to broaden the appeal of casino entertainment and demonstrate the increasingly important role creators play in connecting gaming brands with consumers.
Dustin Gouker: Dustin Gouker has established himself as one of the most respected independent voices covering sports betting, online gaming and regulation in the US. Through years of reporting, analysis and commentary, he has helped industry professionals and wider audiences understand complex developments at the intersection of gaming, legislation, technology and sports. His knowledgeable and independent perspective has made him a trusted source on many of the biggest issues shaping the sector, with his expertise increasingly reaching audiences beyond the gaming industry. Most recently, Dustin was among the experts featured in Netflix’s 2026 documentary Instadocs: The Prediction Games. Known for cutting through industry noise and bringing clarity to complex topics, Dustin continues to inform debate and help shape important conversations around the direction of the US gaming industry.
Hillary McAfee: Hillary McAfee has established herself as an engaging and increasingly influential voice within the gaming industry, using digital media to bring industry conversations and personalities to a wider audience. As owner and host of MaxBet Podcast, Hillary has interviewed executives and innovators from across gaming, creating candid conversations around the people, ideas and issues shaping the sector. Her influence extends beyond the podcast through an active LinkedIn presence, regular commentary for industry media and appearances as a moderator and speaker at major gaming events. She also supports the advancement of women across the industry through her work with Global Gaming Women. By combining gaming expertise, marketing knowledge and an authentic approach to content, Hillary has built a platform that informs, connects and gives a voice to the people shaping the future of gaming.
Val Martinez: As the founder of Betting Ladies, Val Martinez has created a platform dedicated to making sports betting more approachable, engaging and inclusive for women. In an area of gaming that has traditionally been marketed predominantly toward men, Val has built a community centered around education, conversation and confidence, helping women better understand and participate in sports betting. Through content, events and community building, she is challenging traditional perceptions of what a sports bettor looks like while demonstrating the opportunity that exists when the industry speaks authentically to underserved audiences. Her work through Betting Ladies represents an important contribution to diversifying the sports betting conversation and bringing new voices and perspectives into the industry.
Melissa Aarskaug: Melissa Aarskaug has built a reputation for connecting people and encouraging meaningful conversations around leadership, technology and professional development. Alongside an extensive career within the gaming technology and cybersecurity sectors, she founded Executive Connect, a platform bringing senior executives and entrepreneurs together to discuss transformation, leadership and the challenges shaping modern business. Through the Executive Connect Podcast, Melissa has interviewed more than 100 changemakers, using storytelling and open conversation to share knowledge and amplify different perspectives. Her work as a speaker, mentor and community builder, combined with her experience within gaming, has enabled her to create valuable connections across industries and encourage leaders to think differently about how they develop themselves, their teams and their organizations.
Daniel Oliveira: Daniel Oliveira, also known as Daniel Fortune, has emerged as one of Brazil’s most influential gaming content creators, building a significant social media following while using his platform to promote player education and responsible gaming. Rather than simply showcasing online gaming, Daniel regularly educates his audience about the risks associated with gambling, how to identify regulated platforms and why betting should be viewed as entertainment rather than a source of income. He became the first iGaming influencer and affiliate to partner with EBAC, which supports people experiencing problem gambling, and has engaged with Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting and Conar on responsible gaming and advertising. His influence has also led to partnerships with major regulated operators, including Superbet, where the collaboration focuses on player education and safer gambling. Through his content, partnerships and advocacy, Daniel is demonstrating the positive role influencers can play in Brazil’s rapidly evolving gaming market.
Stephen Matt Morrow: Stephen Matt Morrow, also known as Vegas Matt, has rapidly become one of the most recognizable personalities in casino entertainment, building a huge and highly engaged audience around his distinctive approach to gambling content. Combining high-stakes play with humor and great storytelling, he has made casino gaming entertaining and accessible to audiences far beyond traditional gambling enthusiasts. His influence has led to partnerships with major industry brands, including an exclusive ambassador agreement with FanDuel Casino encompassing digital content, responsible gaming education and customer events, as well as partnership with Virgin Voyages and Peppermill Reno. Through his enormous digital reach and growing presence within the industry itself, Vegas Matt has demonstrated the increasingly powerful role creators play in connecting gaming brands and products with consumers.
As you can see above, every nominee has been shortlisted for a reason.
The winner will be selected by the Global Gaming Awards Americas' Judging Panel, comprising senior executives from across the gaming industry. The voting process is independently adjudicated by KPMG US, ensuring fairness and transparency.
The winner of Industry Influencer of the Year, alongside the winners across all other categories, will be revealed at the Global Gaming Awards Americas 2026 on Monday, September 28, at The Venetian Las Vegas during G2E.
The Global Gaming Awards are powered by Global Gaming Insider. KPMG US acts as the official voting adjudicator. Interblock is the Lead Partner of the event, with Gold Sponsors Soft2Bet, Aristocrat Gaming, NOVOMATIC, Light & Wonder and Playtech, and Silver Sponsors SPRIBE, Greentube, MGR Casino Chairs, Betting Jobs, BETER, LT Game, Games Global, IGT & Sightline Payments.
The full Shortlist across all categories will be revealed on Global Gaming Insider’s website at the start of September. Companies can now reserve their tables for the Awards presentation ceremony via the official Global Gaming Awards site.
The Global Gaming Awards Americas 2026 presentation ceremony will be held on the Monday of G2E, September 28 at The Venetian Las Vegas.
