Dr. Roberta Metsola, the Malta Member of the European Parliament, visited the Betsson offices this week, accompanied by Reuben Portanier from the Lotteries and Gaming Authority, Joe Tanti from the Malta Business Bureau and Peter Agius, head of the European Parliament Information Office.
Responsible gaming and the local iGaming industry were all discussed, with the emphasis on player protection, the protection of minors and the development of the online gaming sector in Malta.
Betsson Malta CEO Ulrik Bengtsson revealed that the Swedish betting company is investing more than Euro 5 million in new premises on the island, with the first team of Betsson employees due to move in during October.
Betsson has been operating in Malta since 2006 and with 516 employees, it is the largest employer in the local gaming industry.
“We like the regulatory environment here, particularly due to its predictability and the opportunities it offers for long-term investment,” Bengtsson said. “Skills availability is another one of Malta’s attractive elements; in fact Malta has become a mini Silicon Valley for the gaming industry.”
A company executive told the visitors that 15 percent of potential clients are turned away by Betsson due to unclear verification of identity, age and verifiable bank accounts.