Regulating the Game has officially opened nominations for the 2027 Global Awards, introducing a pivotal new category to its program: the Black Market Disruption Initiative.
As the global gambling industry faces increasing pressure from illicit and unregulated operators, this new award aims to recognize outstanding initiatives that have actively disrupted, deterred, exposed, or reduced illegal gambling activity.
The category celebrates work that strengthens market integrity, protects consumers, and limits the reach of unlawful operators through strategic, operational, technological, or regulatory action.
“The 2027 program is sharpening its focus on the issues shaping the future of the sector,” said the organizing committee. “The Black Market Disruption Initiative is designed to spotlight practical, measurable action—whether through intelligence-sharing, payment disruption, digital detection tools, or policy reform.”
Nominations for the 2027 RTG Global Awards are open worldwide to a broad spectrum of industry stakeholders, including:
- Operators, suppliers, and technology providers;
- Regulators and government agencies;
- Racing and wagering bodies;
- Advisory firms, researchers, and community organizations;
- Entries are assessed on impact relative to the nominee’s role and scope, making the awards accessible to both large-scale programs and frontline operational work.
Submissions for the 2027 cycle will be evaluated by an expanded, independent panel of senior practitioners and sector experts. Organizers emphasize that judges are looking for evidence, not marketing.
Successful nominations will be expected to clearly articulate the problem, detail the specific actions taken, and substantiate the results with data, metrics, and concrete outcomes.
The distinguished judging panel for 2027 includes representatives from the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), the Responsible Gambling Council, and various regulatory and research institutions.
Nominations for all RTG Global Awards categories officially close on 21 December 2026.
The winners will be announced at the Global Awards Gala Dinner on Tuesday, 9 March 2027, held in the Wentworth Ballroom at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, as part of the Regulating the Game 2027 Sydney conference (8–10 March).
For more information on the categories, criteria, and to start a nomination, visit the official website.
