What does your role at the Responsible Gaming Foundation involve?
Being a compact organisation, my role as General Manager (GM) sees me juggle several skittles, so to speak, be it dealing with financial and HR matters or day-to-day duties any typical GM is expected to carry out. My main focus remains on strategising to ensure that the Foundation’s original objectives are effectively met. I am blessed to have a small yet exceptional team of individuals to whom I give the necessary latitude to achieve those objectives. I also seek to keep in touch with industry players to ensure that the Foundation is constantly abreast of developments in what is still a very dynamic sector.
How much of an issue is problem gambling right now in Malta?
Statistically, Malta would fall into the norm regarding problem gambling prevalence compared to countries within the EU. However, I feel that we should not blindly rely on statistics alone because problem gambling is not an addiction quickly identified compared to other addictions, especially those whose symptoms are not easily concealed. Therefore, I would say that owing to the stigma, shame and embarrassment, people who have lost money through gambling may not be too keen on admitting this openly. In Malta’s case, RGF does its utmost to bring about awareness on problem gambling. My approach is that as long as gambling is a legal enterprise in our country, we have a moral obligation toward those who partake in this activity – no matter how many or few do so –by providing them with the best support possible.
How would you evaluate 2022 from an RGF perspective?
For the RGF, 2022 was an eventful year of creating awareness. After some years of relative stagnation partly owing to the much-dreaded pandemic, this summer saw the launch of our Awareness Campaign, which formed part of the Take Action: Against Problem Gambling in Malta EU-funded project.
The initiative, which cost €1.1m ($1m), also included research and training elements. In line with the Foundation’s strategy, a drive to form strategic alliances with local and foreign organisations, with the express intent of collaborating in various RG initiatives, was also a key goal. I am a strong proponent of teamwork, where the sharing of resources will benefit all stakeholders but mainly, and most importantly, the consumer. This year also provided the Foundation with several opportunities to promulgate its message through a more comprehensive number of local stations and media to reach a diverse audience.
What advice would you give to companies in Malta to promote responsible gambling?
As a Foundation, we acknowledge that gambling is a legitimate and popular means of recreation. However, we are also keenly aware of the potential harm this activity carries with it, so we recognise this dichotomy. We also know regulation and compliance alone can never guarantee complete protection to players. Most operators will likely believe that theirs is an ethical operation simply because they conform to regulatory obligations, but ethics is much more than that. I often ask myself: “Is it unrealistic to expect the gambling industry to prioritise harm prevention over revenue maximisation?” I firmly believe that having a robust ethical framework offers operators a raft of benefits, such as reducing operational risk, attracting and retaining key talent and strengthening the company’s external reputation, to mention a few. In a sense, compliance makes you “acceptable”, but ethics makes you “respectable,” and to me, that makes for a profitable and sustainable business.
It is encouraging to see that, nowadays, operators have started a race to the top regarding enhanced RG practices. It is not a question of fear, but they realise that having an ethical framework and driving ethical principles within all levels of their operation can be a boon to their bottom line; so yes, a win-win situation.
What are the RGF’s main priorities for 2023?
I am looking forward to 2023 with a sense of expectancy because I feel that, as a Foundation, we will start reaping the fruit of our networking efforts over the past months. We have held formal and informal meetings with several organisations and individuals with whom we have shared some innovative ideas and would like to keep this impetus going. It is encouraging to see the RG community continually growing and gaining traction. It is no longer uniquely the subject of academics, which is undoubtedly important in this sphere. However, it has also attracted several unconventional and innovative individuals, enterprising mavericks, who are developing and creating solutions to make gambling safe without making it less entertaining. Therefore, we will undoubtedly explore areas that resonate with RGF’s mission.
We will also aim to enhance all areas of our operation to make them as efficient and effective as possible in reaching the objectives for which the RGF was founded. We will also seek to drive home the mantra that when all stakeholders align their expectations and behaviours – and jointly cultivate an atmosphere of trust, accountability and integrity – the result will be a scenario in which each party achieves their objective. The player has received and enjoyed service and the operator has achieved an economic goal without exposing either party to unnecessary risk. In short, sustainability requires a collective effort.
