Sports Integrity Expert Andy Cunningham Joins 2027 RTG Global Awards Judging Panel

The world of gambling regulation is preparing for a landmark event in 2027. The RTG Global Awards have announced a major expansion of their program, affecting both the number of judges and the award categories. A key addition to the panel is Andy Cunningham, Principal at Praxis Integrity, whose appointment signals a sharp focus on sports integrity and black market disruption.

Cunningham brings over two decades of experience, having supported sporting bodies, law enforcement, and regulators in detecting match-fixing and integrity breaches. He previously led Sportradar’s Integrity Services Partnerships Team for over ten years and headed Betfair’s integrity unit before that. His expertise will now be used to assess initiatives worldwide that fight illegal gambling and protect fair competition.

Numbers and facts

The 2027 RTG Global Awards program has doubled compared to previous years. Instead of six, there are now twelve categories. The six new additions include the "Black Market Disruption Initiative" and the "Sport & Wagering Integrity Initiative." The independent panel consists of exactly 12 experts reviewing global nominations. The timeline is fixed: nominations close on December 21, 2026. Finalists will be announced on February 1, 2027, and the gala dinner takes place on March 9, 2027.

Paul Newson, founder of Regulating the Game and principal at Vanguard Overwatch, highlighted the importance of these awards:

"These awards exist to give standing to the stewards of this sector: the people hardening operators and markets against financial crime, lifting compliance and regulatory capability, reducing harm, protecting the integrity of sport and wagering, and carrying research into practice." - Paul Newson, Founder of Regulating the Game

Newson noted that this work often goes unseen and stands in contrast to the frequent criticism the sector receives. He emphasized that Cunningham adds an international dimension to the panel, which is vital for evaluating cross-border cooperation against illegal operators.

Background

The expansion of categories is a direct response to the most pressing policy issues facing regulators and operators. These include financial crime, gambling harm, and the leakage of players into unregulated black markets. Specifically, the "Black Market Disruption Initiative" targets projects that stop illegal activities by disrupting payment flows, advertising, or using advanced detection tools.

Throughout his career, Andy Cunningham has served as an expert witness in match-fixing disciplinary proceedings and criminal court cases. He has also been part of expert working groups for the International Olympic Committee and the United Nations. With this background, he will specifically judge categories dealing with the fairness and credibility of sports and wagering markets.

Why it matters for German players

In Germany, regulation is strictly defined by the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). German players benefit indirectly from global black market disruption initiatives, as they increase pressure on illegal providers lacking a German license. In Germany, the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL) ensures that only providers on the official whitelist operate. These licensed platforms must adhere to strict limits, such as the monthly cross-provider deposit limit of 1,000 euros and the 1 euro per spin limit on virtual slots.

These limits are monitored via the central LUGAS system. Initiatives recognized at the RTG Global Awards could influence future technical solutions and monitoring methods in Germany, particularly regarding the early detection of problematic gambling behavior. For the local market, channelization into legal offerings remains the primary goal to ensure player protection.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For German operators with a GGL license, international awards like the RTG Global Awards provide a benchmark for compliance best practices. In a market characterized by high regulatory hurdles and intense monitoring, demonstrating excellence in gambling harm prevention is a competitive advantage. The introduction of the "Compliance Advisory" category shows that the role of consultants in designing control frameworks and conducting independent audits is becoming increasingly important.

GGL-licensed casinos must distinguish themselves from MGA or Curacao jurisdictions by prioritizing player safety. While unregulated providers often lure players with unrealistic bonuses, German providers rely on transparency and legal certainty. Strategies discussed at the awards for disrupting black market payment paths could also be of interest to the GGL to further raise market entry barriers for illegal competitors.