Canada
Malta economy and online casinos
Malta was one of the first countries in the world that recognized the potential of the online casino and iGaming industry in general. Formed in the 1990s, this industry is now worth over $50 Billion and thanks to the early recognition, this small Mediterranean county is now enjoying the benefits that come with this industry. It has a highly positive effect on the country’s economy in so many different ways.
The Malta Gambling Authority was formed way back in the early 2000s and it was part of the country’s strategy for the development of the iGaming industry. Unlike most countries of the time, Malta had a highly affirmative view of this industry from the early beginnings. The MGA was formed in order to issue licenses and support industry development in general. Obviously, the goal was to make this small island one of the best destinations for foreign operators. These days, around 300 global players in the industry are located in Malta.
With such a number of corporations operating in such a small country, there is no doubt that tax collection has had a significant impact on the overall economy. According to some reports, the iGaming industry has a 15% share of the country’s total economic activity. Obviously, that number will continue to grow.
Benefits from iGaming aren’t just displayed in GDP and tax numbers. This industry has also had a big impact on other fields. For example, Malta now has several educational programs specified for the online casino bonus industry.
The reason is obvious. This is a small country and if we look at the numbers, it turns out that 60% of employees in the industry come from overseas. Only 40% belongs to the domestic share. Obviously, one of the strategies is to change that trend and to increase the share of domestic workers. So, educational institutions have increased the offer of their classes, including numerous ones that target gaps that exist in the industry at the moment.
At this point, it is estimated that there are over 6.000 employees working in this industry and if we can trust experts, operators are currently in need of 3.000 additional workers. So, we may expect further arrivals of foreign workforce.
This leads us to another aspect of the iGaming influence on Malta’s overall economy. For example, with such a big number of abroad workers, it’s easy to conclude that demand for real estate has increased significantly. Workers prefer to rent a property, which has increased the rental prices by a notable percentage. According to some reports, the average property prices have been increased by 10% in the past several years.
Another impact of iGaming on Malta’s economy is the fact that offices of operators also have a positive impact on local businesses, such as service providers, restaurants, coffee shops etc.
In the last couple of years, more and more countries are starting with a similar practice as Malta. However, we don’t believe that this could slow down the growth of the country’s online casino industry and the overall economy. This small Mediterranean island will continue to grow, despite the growing competition. Simply, MGA is still one of the highest-reputable bodies in the business, who issues licenses to operators from all over the world. Simply, gaining these licenses is a matter of prestige, so operators who have gained them proudly advertise is, as a way to attract players from all around the world to register on their website.
Simply, the years of experience have provided MGA a kind of reputation that most newer regulatory bodies from other countries will hardly be able to reach. This body has set pretty high standards, whether it’s about player protection, fair gaming, operator accountability.
Founded in 2001, the Malta Gaming Authority also pays a lot of attention to the protection of youngsters and other vulnerable groups, and it is a body that ensures the integrity of games and operators, as well as that the industry is free from criminal activities.
Other than MGA, there are just a couple of more regulatory bodies in the world that can be considered as good. Those would be the UK Gambling Commission, as well as similar regulatory bodies from Gibraltar and Curacao. However, Malta still remains in the leading destination, and we have no reason to believe that things could change much in the future.
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The Swedish gaming giant confirms its entry into another regulated market, with its industry-leading portfolio of games set to launch in Alberta.
Play’n GO, one of the world’s leading casino entertainment providers, has been granted a licence to supply online gaming content in the Canadian province of Alberta, marking another milestone in the company’s expansion across regulated North American markets.
The licence, awarded by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission (AGLC), allows the company to offer its portfolio of premium online casino titles to licensed operators in the province ahead of Alberta’s planned market launch later this year.
Alberta represents an important new regulated opportunity within Canada, complementing Play’n GO’s established presence in Ontario and Quebec, while reinforcing the company’s commitment to operating exclusively in regulated jurisdictions.
Magnus Olsson said: “Being granted a licence in Alberta is another important step in our North American growth journey and further strengthens our presence in Canada.
“Regulated markets are the foundation of our business, and Alberta represents an exciting opportunity to expand our footprint in a jurisdiction that shares our commitment to high standards, player protection and long-term sustainability.”
The Alberta licence forms part of Play’n GO’s broader strategy of expanding through regulated markets, working closely with licensed operators to deliver compliant, high-quality gaming content focused on innovation, responsibility, and long-term commercial value.
As part of its market entry preparations, the company has aligned its technology and game portfolio with Alberta’s regulatory standards and requirements, with an initial batch of titles already undergoing certification to ensure launch readiness.
About Play’n GO
With more than 20 years of experience in mobile-first gaming, Play’n GO is a global leader in casino entertainment and the creator of some of the industry’s most iconic online titles, including Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead, Reactoonz, and Moon Princess.
A pioneer in the sector, Play’n GO was among the first to recognize the potential of mobile gaming, developing casino content for mobile devices as early as 2005, before the smartphone era.
Today, the company offers a portfolio of more than 450 premium titles, available to regulated operators across over 35 jurisdictions.
Play’n GO is strongly committed to a fully regulated, sustainable gaming industry built around entertainment, safety, and long-term collaboration.
The company works closely with operators, regulators, and research institutions to promote responsible gaming standards across all markets in which it operates.
With a deep understanding of both operators’ and players’ needs, Play’n GO focuses on creating high-quality, enduring content designed for long-term engagement.
In addition to game development, the company also provides backend services and solutions that support operators in delivering a seamless gaming experience.
Beyond gaming, Play’n GO has expanded into complementary entertainment verticals with Play’n GO Music and Play’n GO Shop, and is also a proud partner of the TGR Haas F1 Team.
For more information, please visit www.playngo.com
The post Play’n GO granted Alberta iGaming licence, expanding Canadian market footprint appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Play’n GO has been granted a licence to supply online gaming content in Alberta, as the province prepares to launch its regulated online market later this year.
The licence was awarded by the Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis Commission (AGLC). Play’n GO said the approval allows it to provide its online casino games to licensed operators in the province.
Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer at Play’n GO, said:
“Being granted a licence in Alberta is another important step in our North American growth journey and further strengthens our presence in Canada.
“Regulated markets are the foundation of our business, and Alberta represents an exciting opportunity to expand our footprint in a jurisdiction that shares our commitment to high standards, player protection and long‑term sustainability.”
Play’n GO said it has aligned its technology and game portfolio with Alberta’s regulatory requirements, with an initial batch of titles undergoing certification ahead of launch. The supplier is already active in Canada, with an established presence in Ontario and Quebec, according to the company.
The post Play’n GO secures Alberta iGaming supplier licence from AGLC appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Dan Keene, who served as the interim CEO of the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC), has been appointed to the role permanently, effective April 21, 2026. Under his leadership, AiGC will launch Alberta’s regulated iGaming market on July 13. Keene has played a pivotal role in shaping the province’s gaming landscape, both through his work standing up AiGC and in his previous roles at the Alberta Gaming, Liquor, and Cannabis Commission (AGLC).
“Dan brings deep operational experience and a strong track record in gaming and market development. His leadership will be essential as the Alberta iGaming Corporation prepares for launch and delivers a regulated market built on social responsibility and player protection,” said Sanjeev Kad, Board Chair, Alberta iGaming Corporation.
About Dan Keene
Serving as Vice-President, Gaming at AGLC since July 2022, Keene overseen a broad portfolio, including gaming retail services, technical operations, compliance, online gambling, player loyalty, supply chain, electronic gaming, and product development across Alberta. He has been instrumental in advancing consumer-focused initiatives. He co-led the creation of Winner’s Edge, Alberta’s first province-wide casino loyalty program, and guided the operations of PlayAlberta.ca, currently, the province’s only regulated online gambling platform. Previously, Keene worked at AGLC as Manager, Casino Products. In this role, he led a team of specialists responsible for selecting slot games and terminals for Alberta’s 30 casinos and 750 VLT locations. Before joining AGLC, he completed successful tenures with Molson Breweries and Century Casinos Inc.
The post Alberta iGaming Corporation Appoints Dan Keene as its CEO appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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