Casino Guru Awards adds industry experts Duncan Garvie and Monica Shafaq to panel of judges

Casino Guru announced the addition of two distinguished industry professionals, Duncan Garvie and Monica Shafaq, to the panel of judges for the upcoming Casino Guru Awards 2025.

The Casino Guru Awards 2025, now in their third edition, celebrate excellence, transparency, and social responsibility in the iGaming industry. "With Garvie and Shafaq joining the judging panel, the awards continue to uphold their commitment to fairness and integrity," according to a press release.

Duncan Garvie

Garvie has been a leading advocate for consumer protection in the gambling industry for over a decade. As the founder of ThePOGG, the first affiliate-based complaint service approved as an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) provider, Garvie has pioneered initiatives to improve player safety and resolve disputes fairly.

In 2017, he founded BetBlocker, a registered charity offering free tools to help individuals manage their gambling habits. Today, he continues to champion responsible gambling as Chair of the Board of Trustees for BetBlocker.

Garvie commented: "I'm thrilled to participate as a judge for the Casino Guru Awards 2025. Casino Guru has been setting the bar for the affiliate sector with their player protection initiatives for years now, which have significantly improved the dialogue around several key areas in the safer gambling space. Being invited to take part in the judging process is an honor in itself."

Monica Shafaq

Shafaq brings a wealth of experience from the charity sector, with a focus on mental health and gambling addiction. Since January 2024, she has served as CEO of Gordon Moody, an international charity addressing gambling addiction and raising awareness. Previously, as CEO of the Kaleidoscope Plus Group, Shafaq led the organization to multiple accolades, including inclusion in The Sunday Times 'Top 100 Companies to Work For'.

Beyond her charity work, she is a recognized leader in promoting equality, diversity, and social justice through various non-executive roles in football and public health. Her dedication has earned her recognition as one of Europe’s Top 50 most influential Muslims.

Shafaq said: "I'm thrilled to join the panel of judges for the Casino Guru Awards 2025, an initiative that celebrates excellence and innovation in the gambling industry. This is a fantastic opportunity to recognize the individuals and organizations driving positive change and promoting responsible practices. I look forward to collaborating with my fellow judges and contributing to the selection of outstanding nominees and winners."

The Casino Guru Awards recognize achievements in the iGaming industry across categories such as fairness, responsible gambling, and social responsibility. This year’s event introduces two new categories:

• Players' Choice: Empowering players to vote for their favorite game provider.
• iGaming Changemaker of the Year: Honouring individuals whose leadership and projects have significantly influenced the online gambling sector.

The awards will culminate in a live ceremony on June 6, 2025, at the Hilton Hotel in St. Julian’s, Malta. This invite-only gala promises an unforgettable evening of recognition, networking, and celebration, Casino Guru said.

The Casino Guru Awards 2025 welcomes nominations until February 28, 2025. Shortlisted nominees will be announced in March, with the public voting for select categories opening soon after. 

For more details about the awards, judging panel, and event, visit Casino Guru Awards.