While he was addressing those present during the international gaming conference, iGaming Next which was held in Dar il-Mediterranean, the Minister for the Economy, European Funds and Lands Silvio Schembri said that our country has always remained the jurisdiction the most selected in the gaming industry.
This, the Minister explained, is the result of the Government’s work which has continued to support this industry, understand the challenges and take the necessary measures to create an environment where these companies can remain work sustainably. The iGaming sector in our country employs 10,000 people directly and up to 15,000 if indirect jobs are counted. This means 5.4% of the total workforce in our country. It is a sector that, like other sectors, is evolving and from it in our own country we are seeing new economic niches such as videogame development and esports.
The Minister also made a reference to the amendments in the Gaming Law that were passed by Parliament last week where he said that through these amendments operators who have a Maltese gaming license will be protected, from legal challenges that have no basis. These amendments ensure that the operators continue to comply with the regulatory obligations that are established under Maltese law and their license conditions.
The legal provisions only apply if the action – taken by an operator against a player, or a player against an operator – comes into conflict with, or undermines, the legality of the Maltese regulatory framework , and if it has to do with an activity that is in line with the Gaming Act and other legal instruments that apply to operators with a Maltese gaming license.
Minister Schembri ended his speech by thanking the organizers of iGaming Next and all the gaming companies in our country, Gaming Malta and the Maltese Gaming Authority for their continuous support in this the sector.
