GamingMarkets | Independent Editorial Recognition | 2026
26 for ’26
The People Shaping Global Gaming
An independent international editorial recognition initiative by GamingMarkets, identifying 26 individuals whose documented achievements and contributions have meaningfully shaped the global gaming industry in 2026.
Inaugural Edition | Unranked Selection | Evidence-Led Research
Recommend an IndividualAbout the Initiative
GamingMarkets 26 for ’26 recognizes individuals whose work has made a meaningful contribution to the development of the global gaming industry during 2026. The selection focuses on documented achievements, identifiable personal contributions and their professional or commercial significance.
The initiative examines leadership across casino gaming, iGaming, sports betting, lottery, gaming technology, industry infrastructure, investment and related professional fields. Individuals from companies of all sizes and markets may be considered.
The central principle: recognition is based on demonstrated contributions, not popularity, job title, media visibility or the size of an individual’s employer.
The Edition
26 Individuals
A focused international editorial selection.
The Presentation
Unranked
Honorees will be presented alphabetically, not from first to twenty-sixth.
The Decision
Independent
GamingMarkets retains full editorial authority.
Methodology
What We Evaluate
The editorial assessment considers five areas. They guide professional judgment and are not presented as a scientific scoring system. Exceptional impact in one area may justify consideration; candidates do not have to excel in all five.
01. Demonstrable Impact
Material developments or results that can be supported by evidence, rather than announcements alone.
02. Industry-Wide Influence
The significance of a contribution for markets, partners, businesses or professional practices beyond the immediate organization.
03. Personal Leadership
Evidence of an individual’s strategic, executive or professional role in delivering a meaningful outcome.
04. Innovation & Transformation
New technologies, products, business models or professional practices with demonstrable relevance.
05. Scale & Significance
The reach and importance of the achievement in its relevant market or specialist field, without automatically favoring larger companies.
Evidence & Editorial Review
A documented company achievement does not automatically establish an individual’s personal contribution. Research therefore separates three questions: what occurred in 2026, what the individual materially contributed, and why the outcome matters to the industry.
Relevant evidence may include official disclosures, transaction records, financial reports, product launches, independent reporting and other credible primary material. Material claims are reviewed against sources appropriate to those claims.
Before a final decision, GamingMarkets also considers relevant background information, potential conflicts of interest and comparable candidates. The editorial assessment recognizes significant contributions; influence alone does not guarantee an honor.
Industry Perspectives
Recommend Someone Who Made a Difference
GamingMarkets is inviting perspectives from professionals across the global gaming industry. Recommendations can help identify important work that deserves closer editorial examination, including contributions that have received limited international visibility.
You may recommend up to three individuals. One name is welcome. A detailed explanation is not required, although a short reason or a relevant source link is helpful.
For an independent industry recommendation, please do not recommend yourself or anyone currently working for or leading an organization you work for or lead, including its corporate group.
Individuals and companies may separately submit factual information about their own achievements. Such information is treated as research material, not as an independent recommendation, and provides no advantage in selection.
Send a Recommendation
Please include the individual’s name and, if possible, their organization and a brief indication of the contribution made in 2026.
Email GamingMarketsSubmitting a name does not constitute a vote or guarantee consideration, selection, publication or an individual response. Please do not send confidential information without authorization.
Editorial Independence
GamingMarkets makes the final editorial decisions. Recommendations are not votes, and the number of recommendations received does not determine who is selected. Candidates do not need an external nomination to be considered.
No payment is accepted in exchange for nomination priority, favorable treatment or inclusion. Advertising, sponsorships, partnerships and commercial relationships do not determine the selection.
The honorees will be presented in alphabetical order, without numerical ranking. The selection represents documented editorial judgment, not an objectively exhaustive list of the world’s most influential individuals. Read the GamingMarkets Editorial Independence Policy.
2026 Editorial Timeline
JANUARY–NOVEMBER 2026
Research Period
Research examines achievements occurring during 2026, with November 30 as the planned research cutoff.
DECEMBER 2026
Inaugural Publication
Publication is planned for December, following evidence review, editorial approval and final fact-checking.
The final publication will identify the research cutoff actually applied. Timelines may change if editorial verification requires more time.