Malta’s future lies in being the European hub for well-run, compliant and innovative gaming companies.

What are the main benefits and challenges for any iGaming investor looking at establishing a base in Malta today?

Malta offers something unique: a full ecosystem built around iGaming. Regulators genuinely understand the product, there’s a deep pool of experienced talent and businesses have access to the EU Single Market. The infrastructure around key pillars such as legal, tax and operations is battle-tested and has evolved significantly as a result. Regulation is tighter, costs are higher and governance matters. Banks are cautious, and the days of setting up shop almost overnight are long gone. Malta now rewards well-structured, well-capitalised businesses that take compliance seriously. In short, it remains the best base – just not for the unserious.

Can you identify any market gaps that are crying out to be filled?

The biggest opportunities still sit between tech, compliance and player protection. Of course, the industry’s adoption of AI is rapid. However, there’s huge space for smarter regtech that simplifies cross-jurisdiction operations, and for responsible gaming tools that go beyond box-ticking. Payments are another area. Operators still struggle with friction and de-risking, so there’s room for solutions that embrace gaming rather than avoid it. Lastly, we’re missing a stronger talent pipeline – local training that actually connects young Maltese to product, data and compliance roles. These are the gaps that can futureproof the industry here.

How is doing gaming business in Malta today different to how it was in previous years?

It’s more mature and more demanding. A decade ago, Malta was about rapid growth and easy licensing. Today, it’s about sustainability, reputation and long-term presence. The MGA has evolved into a far more proactive regulator, and businesses are expected to show real governance, capital strength and accountability. Talent costs have risen, competition is sharper and ESG is no longer optional. So it’s less about who can launch fastest and more about who can operate best sustainably. The ones that adapt to that reality are the ones still thriving.

What does the future hold for Malta’s iGaming industry?

I see more consolidation and a focus on quality over quantity. Fewer licences, perhaps, but stronger operators and more exportable tech. Malta’s future lies in being the European hub for well-run, compliant and innovative gaming companies. With the Government pushing game-development skills and the MGA leaning even more into technology, there’s real potential to make Malta the benchmark for regulated innovation.

If we keep our edge, good governance, smart talent, and credibility, the industry’s next chapter can be even more valuable than the first.

What one piece of advice would you give to an investor or entrepreneur in the iGaming industry who is considering setting up operations in Malta?

Don’t treat Malta as a mailbox. Treat it as your base. Build something real here – hire locally, invest in governance and engage with the ecosystem.

The companies that give back through jobs, training and community, in my opinion, always find the most success. Malta still opens doors across Europe, but only for those who respect the structure that built the opportunity in the first place.

This island rewards those who play the long game.

Image: Justin Anastasi / Bernard Polidano

This interview was first published in the 2026 edition of Malta Invest, the sister brand to MaltaInvest.mt and produced by Content House Group.