Casino Gran Madrid has positioned itself as a pioneer in user-centered industry recognition through its Gran Madrid Awards, which recently concluded their successful second edition at Casino Torrequebrada. The event marks a significant evolution in how gaming industry achievements are acknowledged, placing players at the heart of the selection process.
Player-Driven Recognition Model
Speaking exclusively about the awards program, José Félix Herreros Fernández, Country Manager of Casino Gran Madrid, emphasized the unique approach that sets these awards apart from traditional industry recognition.
“We want an industry that is more connected with the end user, and these awards are part of that vision”
— José Félix Herreros, Country Manager Casino Gran Madrid
The G|M Awards distinguish themselves through their methodology – winners are determined through actual gaming competitions and real voting within the platform, rather than industry panel selections. This approach creates what Herreros describes as an authentic thermometer of impact that studios, games, and content creators have on the final user experience.
Strategic Evolution from First Edition
The transformation between the 2024 inaugural edition and the current iteration reflects significant growth in scope and ambition. Herreros outlined how the awards have evolved from an innovative initiative to a strategic brand project with greater reach and trajectory.
“If in 2024 the G|M Awards were born as an innovative initiative to give voice to Spain's online gaming sector ecosystem, in 2026 they are consolidated as a strategic brand project, with greater ambition and reach”
— José Félix Herreros, Country Manager Casino Gran Madrid
The core essence remains unchanged – these are awards born from gaming itself, decided by users through various competitions and real voting within the platform.
2024
Inaugural edition year
2026
Consolidation as strategic brand project
2
Total award editions completed
Comprehensive Industry Recognition
The awards structure encompasses the entire gaming ecosystem while maintaining the player at the center. Categories recognize studios, games, live proposals, providers, and streamers, all evaluated through a common lens: the impact each generates on user experience.
The voting system, integrated into gaming dynamics, allows the community to decide which studio, game, or creator has made the difference during the year.
This methodology enables identification of real trends, highlights proposals that make a difference, and fosters innovation oriented toward product quality and engagement.
Award Categories Structure
The G|M Awards cover five distinct categories: gaming studios (for development excellence), individual games (for player engagement), live gaming proposals (for interactive experiences), content providers (for platform innovation), and streamers (for community building and entertainment value).
Strategic Venue Selection
A notable development for the second edition was the decision to relocate the gala from Casino Gran Madrid's flagship location in Torrelodones to Casino de Torrequebrada. This strategic move served multiple purposes beyond mere venue change.
“In this second edition we wanted to go further and move the gala from our flagship casino in Torrelodones to Casino de Torrequebrada, taking advantage of the G|M Awards as an opportunity to present the recent renovation of one of our most emblematic spaces”
— José Félix Herreros, Country Manager Casino Gran Madrid
The venue change allowed Grupo Gran Madrid to showcase their renovated property while demonstrating their commitment to both online and physical gaming experiences.
Multi-Purpose Event Strategy
Gaming companies can maximize ROI from award ceremonies by selecting venues that serve multiple strategic purposes - showcasing facility upgrades, demonstrating brand expansion, or highlighting investment in physical infrastructure alongside digital recognition.
Industry Impact and Future Vision
The first edition's reception validated the concept, with studios, partners, and creators appreciating that actual users selected the winners rather than industry panels. This positive response influenced the organization of the second edition, leading to enhanced format, expanded participation, and elevated gala production.
For Grupo Gran Madrid, positioning as an industry talent catalyst represents both strategic necessity and brand identity. The awards serve as an active investment in talent, innovation, and an industry more connected to end users.
“We use our corporate events not only to recognize industry talent, but also to show how we constantly evolve and invest in offering first-level experiences, inside and outside the digital environment”
— José Félix Herreros, Country Manager Casino Gran Madrid
Player-Centric Recognition Trend
The shift toward user-driven award selection represents a broader industry trend where authentic player feedback becomes the primary metric for success, potentially replacing traditional industry panel judgments with real gameplay data and community engagement metrics.
Bridging Digital and Physical Gaming
The awards program exemplifies Grupo Gran Madrid's vision of seamlessly connecting online and physical gaming experiences. By utilizing physical casino spaces to recognize digital gaming achievements, the company demonstrates how traditional and modern gaming environments can complement each other.
This integration allows the group to highlight their physical casinos as essential components of the Gran Madrid experience while reinforcing their comprehensive approach to gaming entertainment.
Industry Implications and Future Trajectory
The success of the Gran Madrid Awards signals a potential shift in how gaming industry recognition programs operate. By prioritizing actual player experience and engagement over traditional industry metrics, these awards could influence other organizationsons to adopt more user-centric approaches to industry recognition.
The program's emphasis on authentic player feedback creates a direct feedback loop between content creators and their audiences, potentially driving more user-focused innovation across the Spanish gaming sector. This model positions players as active participants in industry development rather than passive consumers.
According to AzarPlus.
