Casino.online Named Finalist for Best Affiliate in CEE at GamingTECH Awards

It’s been a memorable few weeks for the team at Casino.online. One of the best casino review site has just learned it’s been shortlisted for ‘Best Affiliate in Central and Eastern Europe’ at the prestigious GamingTECH Awards 2026. And honestly? The news is still sinking in.

“We weren’t expecting this at all,” said Joshua Rawlings, Head of Strategy at Casino.online. “When you look at the other names on that list - these are shops doing seriously impressive work across the region. Just being in the conversation feels like a win.”

What makes the nomination particularly meaningful is how it came about. Unlike awards decided behind closed doors by a small panel, the GamingTECH Awards shortlist was shaped by thousands of votes from across the industry. Peers, partners, and actual players cast their ballots in droves to push Casino.online into the finals.

Rawlings says that kind of grassroots backing resonates deeply with the team.

“Votes came from people we’ve worked with for years and also from folks we’ve never met who just… like what we’re doing? That’s wild to me. It makes all the late nights and Google algorithm headaches worth it. When a partner you respect takes two minutes out of their day to vote for you, or when a player somewhere in Eastern Europe clicks that button because one of your reviews actually helped them - that’s the stuff that keeps us going.”

Casino.online has been quietly building momentum across the CEE region through a combination of technical SEO expertise and a stubborn refusal to publish content that feels generic or rushed. The company’s approach leans heavily on data: tracking what players actually search for, what questions they need answered, and which casino brands deliver on their promises. The result is a library of reviews and guides that reads less like marketing collateral and more like advice from someone who’s been around the block.

“There’s so much noise in affiliate marketing right now,” Rawlings added. “Sites churning out thin content just to rank for a day or two before Google figures it out. That’s not how you build something sustainable. We’re playing the long game. That means being honest when a casino falls short, updating content constantly, and never forgetting there’s a human on the other end of the screen who’s trusting us to point them in the right direction.”

The GamingTECH Awards have earned a reputation for spotlighting genuine innovation across the iGaming landscape. Categories span everything from cutting-edge tech platforms and sports betting integrations to marketing campaigns and affiliate programs that actually do things differently. For Casino.online to land among the finalists in its category signals that the industry is taking notice of its methodical, player-first approach.

The timing also coincides with a broader push by the company to strengthen its presence in Central and Eastern Europe, a region Rawlings describes as “ripe with opportunity but underserved by quality affiliate content.

Winners will be revealed on March 24th in Prague, where the awards ceremony will be held as part of the broader Hipther conference. The event draws industry leaders from across Europe, making it a fitting backdrop for celebrating achievements in gaming tech and affiliate innovation.

The Casino.online team plans to be in attendance, though Rawlings jokes they might need to rehearse a speech just in case.

“We’ll probably keep it short if we somehow take it home. Just a lot of thank-yous to the people who voted, the partners who’ve believed in us, and the team who grinds every day to make this work. And then maybe we’ll find the nearest bar and celebrate however it goes. Either way, it’s going to be a good night.”

For those attending the Hipther conference in Prague, Rawlings extends an open invitation to connect.

“Come find us. We’d love to talk shop, swap stories about surviving Google updates, or just hear what you’re building. That’s what events like this are really about anyway - the people.”

More information about Casino.online, the leading bonus comparison site, including partnership opportunities and its growing library of casino reviews, can be found at www.casino.online. The company also maintains an active presence on LinkedIn, where it shares updates on industry trends and internal milestones.