Malta Focus 2023
Editor's Letter
Maybe it’s because we’re fresh off our recent trip to G2E, but I can’t get Las Vegas out of my head – even when thinking about Malta. Let me tell you why.
Although the US and Malta are intrinsically different gambling spaces, subject to multiple sets of differing regulations, the select few US states that have legalised iGaming are now witnessing the inevitability of its rise. In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, table games are down, sports betting revenue is growing but subject to sporting results and slot machines are more or less consistent year-on-year.
Online casino, however, is flying. And playing no small part in heavily influencing $500 million-dollar-monthly markets is the tiny archipelago of Malta across the ocean.
Malta, with its Malta Gaming Authority licence that opens access to EU markets, has long been central to the fate of iGaming across global markets, especially in Europe of course. But now we’re seeing the full force of online gaming as far afield as Ontario and the six states where it is legal in the US.
That means two things: design studios in Malta will naturally be responsible for many of the gaming dollars being spent across North America. And the huge impact iGaming revenues are having on state revenue reports – and thereby their tax reports – almost guarantees the legalisation of online casino in further states.
If ever there was a testament to Malta’s impact on the gaming industry, it is iGaming’s evident influence on the US. That partially explains the comparison I’ve made later on in this Malta Focus, where I’ve concluded that – although you cannot match the experience of a land-based casino in Las Vegas – it simply can no longer compete with a mobile betting app for convenience and practicality.
It also explains why we’ve profiled the young history of LeoVegas, producing a timeline on its rise from start-up to a Global Gaming Award-winning company that was bought by MGM Resorts for approximately $607m last year.
If you couldn’t quite grasp why I am comparing Vegas and Malta so often, LeoVegas is the best embodiment of exactly why. Although a Swedish firm originally, the operator has conducted much of its business in Malta (a familiar story to Swedish and other European firms across the sector), and has now become an international powerhouse.
Viva Las Malta?
Stickability: Is iGaming in Malta sustainable?
With the help of inside sources on the island, Gambling Insider explores how sustainable the iGaming industry is for Malta.
In Focus: BetConstruct
BetConstruct discusses its pioneering initiatives, including multi-wallet, B.F.T.H. Arena Awards and Spettacolare promotion.
SiGMA Europe Summit 2023 – Everything you need to know
The latest SiGMA Europe Summit is set to kick off later this November, taking place at the waterside MMH Malta from Monday 13 November to Friday 17 November.
In focus: DS Virtual Gaming
Head of Business Development at DS Virtual Gaming, Araksi Sargsyan, explains what is coming and which markets it is excited by.
In focus: Bombay Live
Gambling Insider spoke with Hub88 and Bombay Commercial Director, Mark Taffler, to discuss entering new markets, the responsibility of Hub88, providing luxury iCasino experiences and more.
Fast Offshore: Licence to game in Malta
Ron Mendelson, Founder and Managing Partner of Fast OffShore, discusses iGaming licences in Malta, Anjouan and exploring bigger markets.
In Focus: Soft2Bet
Gamification: A paradigm shift in the iGaming landscape.
In focus: PopOK Gaming
Gambling Insider speaks with Tsovinar Elchyan, Product Manager at PopOK Gaming, about its live casino offerings and plans for 2024.
Relax Gaming: Pushing the limits of predecessors
Shelley Hannah, CPO at Relax Gaming, provides insights on crafting a slot franchise.
In focus: Evolution Group
Gambling Insider deep dives into casino content provider Evolution Group.
In Focus: iMoon
Experience the future of crash gaming with iMoon’s Crash Royale
Jelly Entertainment CEO: Winning big with the 'right' kind of innovation
David Newstead, CEO at Jelly Entertainment, says operator and player demands are going through a period of change. And, while most developers claim to be innovative, changing the game in a meaningful way requires more than just creativity.
Diversity in gambling at LiveScore Group
Gambling Insider had the chance to speak with LiveScore’s Sam Talbot, Kate Parker and Gabrielle Hone about creating positive workplaces for women in the gambling sector, the importance of a diverse team and creating connectivity with a global team.
In focus: Fastex
Featured in this Malta Focus edition, Fastex is showcasing Bahamut - the first Emirati blockchain, its new consensus mechanism - Proof of Stake and Activity (PoSA) and future developments
In focus: Habanero
Habanero discusses further expansion into the Balkans and Latin America and providing API solutions
Stick or twist?
Gambling Insider looks at how the Maltese gaming market has changed in the past three years, from the culture of the companies to the newest employment trends
In focus: Evoplay
Gambling Insider takes a closer look at iGaming developer Evoplay
In focus: Altenar
Navigating excellence: Altenar as your workspace of choice | Altenar & you
In focus: CreedRoomz
VP of Casino, Sargis Poghosyan at CreedRoomz, talks to Gambling Insider about the company’s new Roba Robot Croupier feature, its live casino, entering the Danish market, the company’s potential in Canada and more
In focus: Praxis Tech
Optimising transaction pathways - Gambling Insider spoke with CTO of Praxis Tech, Guy Karsenti, to discuss the company’s efforts in pioneering iGaming payment orchestration
Online gaming’s round-the-clock advantage
Gambling Insider Editor Tim Poole reflects on the obvious benefits of online gaming – which, remarkably, were highlighted to him during a recent trip to Las Vegas...
In focus: Gibtelecom
Gambling Insider takes a closer look at the telecommunications provider Gibtelecom
In Focus: Boomerang
Boomerang Sportsbook is a unique, data-driven betting platform that emphasises customer-centric solutions and robust analytics, for optimised affiliate partnerships and engaging user experiences
In focus: MiFinity
Revolutionising iGaming payments and user experiences
In focus: Pascal Gaming
Aram Khachatryan, Head of Business Development and Marketing at Pascal Gaming, spoke to Gambling Insider about global expansion, the benefits of its Momentum solution, Pascal’s Gravity retail solution and more
In focus: MioMedia
MioMedia has become one of the most innovative and active affiliate programme specialists since launching two years ago
Why operators must stay vigilant
Martin Cheek, Managing Director of SmartSearch, discusses the increasing threat identified by suspicious activity reports
In Focus: Spribe
Spribe CCO, Giorgi Tsutskiridze, speaks to Gambling Insider about crash games, engaging the next generation and breaking into the US market
