Industry News
The MGA publishes a study to better understand the existing skills gap in the gaming industry for the year 2018
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), through its Information & Research Unit, has conducted a survey (second of its kind) among its licensed remote gaming operators in order to obtain a better understanding of the existing skills gap in the gaming industry.
This report highlights the key findings of a survey carried out by the MGA in 2019 (for 2018) and outlines the main elements of similarity and contrast with the results of the previous survey, where relevant.
The following are the key highlights from this survey:
- A total of 730 unfilled positions have been reported by the online gaming companies in Malta as at the end of 2018;
- 68% of unfilled vacancies are primarily at the operational level;
- The majority (69%) of the vacancies remained unfilled for no more than three months;
- Lack of work experience (28%), competition from other firms (27%) and lack of qualifications (21%) are the main reasons for unfilled vacancies;
- According to the survey results, more than one-third of the operators recruit personnel employed by other firms in the sector;
- 35% of firms engage in in-house training activities or mentoring in order to tackle skill shortages;
- The recruitment of workers immediately after the completion of their formal education was reported by 9% of the surveyed firms, confirming the potentially stronger role which could be played by educational institutions;
- Several policy efforts have been made to ensure that training courses are aligned with the industry’s needs. In 2017, the European Gaming Institute of Malta (EGIM) was launched following an agreement signed between the MGA and Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST). In 2018, 56 students applied for the iGaming Diploma at MCAST, and an additional 43 enrolled between January and mid-November 2019;
- By mid-November 2019, 58 students enrolled for the Award in iGaming course at the iGaming Academy – a joint collaboration between the MCAST and EGIM;
- In 2019, 21 students were selected and matched with seven companies through the Gaming Malta’s Student Placement Programme, an initiative that aims to reduce the mismatch which exists between the supply and demand for gaming skills in the Maltese labour market; and
- The majority of the surveyed companies expressed their satisfaction with the training offerings in Malta; however, between 15% and 20% of the respondents indicated that more needs to be done with respect to the availability, quality and value for money of the training opportunities in Malta.
The survey which reflects responses received from 238 individual respondents (companies) looks at the size, nature and causes of unfilled vacancies, the recruitment strategies of the respondents, training and development activities as well as the educational offering to the online gaming industry in Malta.
The MGA’s Chief Officer of Finance & Programme Management, responsible for the Information & Research Unit, Peter Spiteri said:
“We are pleased to publish the second paper on the Skill Gap Affecting the Online Gaming Industry with a view to shed light on the current state of play regarding human capital found on the island.
Recent figures published by MGA through its Interim Performance Report indicate that 69% of employees in the online gaming sector are non-Maltese, highlighting the need for expatriate workers to sustain the ever-increasing demand of the industry.
Whilst acknowledging that significant milestones have been achieved through the establishment of the European Gaming Institute of Malta as well as Gaming Malta’s Student Placement Programme initiative, the study indicates that there is significant potential for the local educational system to contribute in addressing the continuous thirst of the industry for a skilled workforce.”
A full copy of the survey can be downloaded from here.
The slots supplier says its portfolio now exceeds 150 games and highlights recent LatAm expansion from its Buenos Aires base.
Belatra is marking its 33rd birthday with an anniversary campaign running throughout April, the iGaming slots developer said.
The company said it was founded in 1993 and has since transitioned from building gaming machines for land-based casinos to producing digital content. Belatra added that its portfolio has grown to more than 150 games.
Belatra also pointed to its strategic Latin American headquarters in Buenos Aires as a key base for regional partnerships and growth.
Misha Voinich, Head of Business Development at Belatra, said: “We’re only just getting started, but birthdays provide the perfect chance to reflect on our successes and the path that’s brought us here. From launching our innovative ‘multi-universe’ content strategy to our rapid expansion in Latin America, the successful launch of our first Crash game, and multiple high-profile industry award wins — we are always developing, creating, and evolving. 33 years of innovation, dedication, and gaming excellence — and the best is yet to come.”
Belatra did not provide additional detail on upcoming releases or the timing of any new product announcements beyond saying updates will land during April.
The post Belatra marks 33 years with April anniversary campaign appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Founder Surya Palli positions the group as a real-time extension of the brand’s long-form podcast conversations.
iGaming Real Talk said its WhatsApp community has crossed 500 members, marking what the company described as a growth milestone for the group.
The community is positioned as a space for candid discussion among iGaming professionals, including operators, studios, affiliates, and suppliers. The company attributed the group’s growth to its structure, stating it operates with minimal moderation and allows promotions.
Surya Palli, Founder of iGaming Real Talk, said: “Reaching 500 members is a proud moment, but what matters more is the quality of the conversations happening inside the group every day. This community is built on trust, openness, and a genuine desire to help each other grow.
Our long-form podcasts can only cover so much at a given time, but the WhatsApp community is an always-on, real-time extension of those conversations. We’re just getting started.”
iGaming Real Talk said it plans to expand the community through exclusive content, industry interviews, and collaborative discussions.
Those interested in joining the iGaming Real Talk WhatsApp community can join here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K2UoLJdluQdFJXvV1uDw6Z
The post iGaming Real Talk WhatsApp community passes 500 members appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Supplier says new bonus targeting, parallel tournaments and faster content delivery aim to convert sportsbook spikes into casino revenue.
GR8 Tech says it has updated its casino product ahead of anticipated World Cup-driven traffic, focusing on bonus tools, tournament mechanics, content delivery and provider feature integrations.
“A World Cup can bring a lot of new traffic, but that traffic only matters if you give players a reason to stay,” said Lusine Khudaverdyan, Head of Casino at GR8 Tech. “For casino, that means more flexible bonuses, engaging tournaments, strong content coverage, and provider features that help operators convert interest into repeat play.”
On bonuses, the company said it has introduced product-level wagering that lets operators target promotions across slots, live casino and instant games, or combine categories. On tournaments, GR8 Tech said operators can now use the same game across multiple parallel tournaments and allow players to join more than one at the same time.
GR8 Tech said it works with more than 200 casino providers and is investing in infrastructure to speed up content delivery. The company said new provider-specific content delivery solutions can be implemented in about 1 to 2 weeks, and that it is adding roughly a dozen integrations per quarter. It also pointed to a roadmap aligned with demand trends including instant and mini-game formats, which it said are relevant for crypto-oriented brands and younger audiences.
Beyond game access, GR8 Tech said its roadmap is prioritizing integration of provider features it believes can impact engagement, retention and GGR, with the aim of reducing gaps between provider capabilities and what operators can activate on the platform.
The post GR8 Tech updates casino bonuses, tournaments and integrations ahead of World Cup traffic appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
betting platforms6 days agoUS Public Health Debate Intensifies as Boston Hosts Landmark Online Gambling Symposium
-
betting innovation5 days ago
DATA.BET Expands at SiGMA South America 2026
-
8bit Binks6 days ago
S8UL Esports Triumphs in VCSA 2026 Split 1: A Grand Final Masterclass
-
BiS Awards 20266 days ago
Brazil’s Gaming Evolution: EGT and EGT Digital Claim Top Honors at BiS Awards 2026
-
BiS Awards 20266 days ago
EGT and EGT Digital have been honored with the Best VLT Solution prize at the BiS Awards 2026
-
Boston6 days ago
Global Experts to Gather in Boston for First US Symposium on Online Gambling and Public Health
-
casino software6 days ago
QTech Games Expands Emerging Markets Portfolio with Sneaky Slots Integration
-
Brazil4 days ago
Fernando Carvalho outlines new era for prediction markets in Brazil with VoxFi white label technology
