Sofia will host the largest gala in the Bulgarian gaming industry on November 24, with 13 award categories and a new Balkan edition

Sofia is once again a must-see for the gaming industry in southeastern Europe, and at Infoplay we know it well. The Association of Organizers of Gambling and Activities in Bulgaria (AOGGAB/??????) has published the official list of nominees for the Golden Spades Awards 2026. The winners will be announced on November 24 at the Hyatt Regency Sofia, during the Gaming Industry Gala Dinner, which this year celebrates what the organization describes as its largest edition to date, under the slogan "New Horizons".

The big news is the international leap. The awards are divided into two ceremonies: the Golden Spades BG Awards, focused on the Bulgarian market, and the new Golden Spades Balkans Awards, organized together with the Balkan Gaming Federation. The nominees for the Balkan edition will be announced soon. It is another step for an association that at the end of last year was integrated into the Bulgarian Industrial Association.

The Bulgarian awards are divided into 13 categories, starting with manufacturers. Amusnet, EGT, Pateplay, EGT Digital and 7777 gaming are competing for the award for the most successful Bulgarian company abroad. In the category of the most successful international company in Bulgaria, names very familiar to the Spanish reader compete: Merkur Gaming, Novomatic, Pragmatic Play with Arrise Live, Synot Games and IGT. The machine of the year is disputed by Amusnet's Type S32, EGT's Supreme S 55 S ST, Novomatic's Diamond X Quattro 1.55J, Merkur Gaming's MOD EX J55 and IGT's PeakCurve49.

In land-based gaming, the award for operator of the year with up to 15 locations pits Palms Merkur Casino, inbet, Monte Casino & Gaming Clubs, Central and Luxor. Operators with more than 15 locations compete with Gaming Clubs Imperia, efbet, WINBET, Sesame and MagicBet Club. Merit Casino Zenith, GoldenEye Casino, Sofia Princess Casino, Monte Casino and Palms Royale Sofia Casino are nominated as casino of the year. In betting halls, inbet, efbet, alphawin, 8888.bg and Sesame are chosen.

Providers also have their space. Competing as Casino Provider of the Year are Cards Print: Casino Division, TCSJOHNHUXLEY, JCM Global, Patir Casino Seating and Abbiati Casino Equipment. Payment solutions include CountR, iCard, Cashterminal, IRIS and EasyPay ( ePay.bg). The debut of the year is disputed by BETVAM, Betwild, ImperiaBet, LLAMA Games and Light & Wonder, with its Galeforce Studio.

In the online field, the operator of the year will come from inbet, efbet, WINBET, 8888.bg and Palms Bet. As an online gaming provider , Amusnet, EGT Digital, Pragmatic Play, Pateplay and Evolution compete. And on platforms , Digitain, EGT Digital, UltraPlay, Altenar and Dench eGaming Solutions are opting for.

The gala arrives with a good background. In 2024, Jacqueline Mecinas presented the award for Corporate Social Responsibility at an event that Infoplay followed on video. Last year, the 2025 edition brought together giants such as Novomatic, EGT, Zitro and Amusnet. On November 24 we will know who takes the 2026 golden spades.