Two gaming industry ‘world leaders’ apply for Maltese licence – Prime Minister

Betsson CEO says company is staying

In his first official engagement following his re-election, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat yesterday announced that two “world leaders” in the gaming industry have applied for a licence to operate in Malta.

Dr Muscat was speaking at the end of a visit to Betsson Group offices in Ta’ Xbiex. In a brief address, the Prime Minister said the government committed to helping the gaming industry flourish further.

During the election campaign, while speaking in a mass meeting in Gozo, Prime Minister Muscat had brushed off claims made by the Leader of the Opposition that major betting companies in Malta would leave the island to set up shop somewhere else.

Dr Muscat said then that on his first day back in office, he would visit this large online betting company and have a nice cup of coffee with them. And that is exactly what he did. As he entered, he looked at Mr Bengtsson and told him “shall we have a coffee?”

Dr Muscat said that apart from Skybet, which applied for a gaming licence last week, two other international gaming companies have filed a licence application.

When asked for further details, Dr Muscat said no further information could be divulged due to a non-disclosure agreement. He noted that in the case of Skybet a waiver had been granted, and hence the name was made public.

Betsson Malta CEO Ulrik Bengts- son said the company had no plans whatsoever to relocate from Malta, despite rumours to that effect.