Inside Asian Gaming has announced the award categories for the 2026 IAG Academy IR Awards, to be held at Manila Ballroom at Manila Marriott on the evening of Tuesday 15 September.
The public call for candidates for the IAG Academy IR Awards is open from today, Monday 8 June, to Wednesday 5 August. Official Nominees will be announced on Monday 17 August. Official Nominees will then have 15 days to submit their supporting documentation.
The IAG Academy IR Awards form part of the IAG EXPO at Manila’s Newport World Resorts from 14 to 17 September 2026, which also comprises networking social Manila After Dark, the inaugural CiG iDEA Summit, the two-day IAG Academy Summit and The Regulators Forum.
The Awards process is explained in full at www.iagexpo.com/process.
The IAG Academy IR Awards – first held in 2021 – will comprise 26 award categories in 2026, three more than last year, including five award categories under a brand-new “Online Gaming Offerings” division presented by Complete iGaming – the iGaming media brand under IAG’s parent company, Complete Media Group. The new division reflects the growing importance of iGaming and its interaction with the land-based gaming sector in the Philippines and beyond.
This year’s IAG Academy IR Awards, which celebrate outstanding industry offerings and participants, are separated into five divisions: Non-gaming Operator Offerings, Gaming Offerings, Online Gaming Offerings, Corporate Awards and Industry Awards.
There are also three Hall of Fame awards, which celebrate outstanding individuals operating in the industry.
The award categories are:
Division 1: NON-GAMING OPERATOR OFFERINGS
Elements of Asia-Pacific based integrated resorts other than gaming
1. Most Instagrammable IR
2. Best IR Resort Attraction
3. Best Overall Retail Offering by an IR
4. Best Overall F&B Offering by an IR
5. Best Facilities Management in an IR
6. Best Hotel in an IR
Division 2: GAMING OFFERINGS
Gaming elements of Asia-Pacific based integrated resorts
7. Best Slot Solution
8. Best ETG Solution
9. Best Slot Game Design Studio
10. Best Table Game Solution
11. Best System Solution
12. Best IR Gaming Floor
Division 3: ONLINE GAMING OFFERINGS
Brought to you by Complete iGaming
13. Best Live Dealer Offering
14. Best Electronic Slot Offering
15. Best iGaming Innovation
16. Best iGaming Supplier
17. Best iGaming Operator
Division 4: CORPORATE AWARDS (Open to Operators and Suppliers)
Elements that relate to overall governance and activities of companies that operate Asia-Pacific based integrated resort businesses, and those that supply them.
18. Best Individual CSR Initiative
19. Best Overall CSR Program
20. Best Workplace
21. Best Marketing Program
Division 5: INDUSTRY AWARDS
Elements relating to the wider industry of and serving integrated resorts in the Asia-Pacific region.
22. Best IR or Supplier Solution
23. Best IR or Supplier Innovation
24. Best Industry Supplier
25. Best Regional Asia-Pacific IR
26. Best Integrated Resort
Hall of Fame
Rising Stars (3 winners)
Industry Icons (3 winners)
Industry Legends (1 winner)
To nominate for any Award, please visit www.iagexpo.com/nominations and fill out the nomination webform. There is no prohibition against self-nomination however judges will be recused from voting on any categories in which they have a vested interest.
For a full description of each award, please visit www.iagexpo.com/awards-categories.
The IAG Academy IR Awards is an in-person, high quality, black tie gala event, primarily celebrating the land-based gaming industry but with the addition of five online categories in 2026. Organizer Inside Asian Gaming is an Asian born and bred company with a more than 20-year history and an in-depth knowledge of the people and companies who have made the industry what it is today.
The public call for candidates closes strictly at midnight Manila time at the end of Friday 5 August 2026, with official nominees to be announced on Monday 17 August 2026. A select committee of the Judging Panel will choose the official nominees for each award category from amongst the candidates received during the public call for candidates period.
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact:
Jadeson Ho
+853 2875 2959
jh@asgam.com
Caroline Iau
+853 2875 2959
ci@asgam.com
For event inquiries, please contact:
Dorothy Loi
+853 6802 1905
dorothy@asgam.com
