IGaming idol HR Connect brings together the industry’s top players

iGaming Idol recently organised HR Connect, an HR forum where human resources executives from leading iGaming companies came together to discuss the employment issues they are facing in this ever-growing industry, which today contributes to over 12 per cent of the economy.

The issues discussed included alternative locations where expat employees could find more affordable rental properties, the ongoing difficulties that employees experience when applying for official documents (such as resident cards and identity cards), setting up bank accounts for employees, recruitment and relocation issues. The discussion also included topics that are relevant to ensuring a better infrastructure that will improve the general attractiveness of the island and create a more streamlined process for the employers investing in the industry.

The event was supported by NetEnt, Catena Media and GamingMalta and attended by representatives from Alea Gam- ing, Bethard, Bit8, Cashmio, Cherry, Comeon, the Dragonara Casino, Gaming Malta, GIG, iGaming Academy, Jackpotjoy Group, Microgaming, Netent, Raketech, The Stars Group Inc. and Videoslots.com.

Michael Pedersen, CEO of iGaming Idol, kicked off the event by introducing the concept. He explained that although these companies operate in one of the most competitive arenas, they all experience similar obstacles. He stressed that these can be overcome through discussion and by resolving these issues together. Pedersen added that iGaming idol’s overall vision is more than just facilitate a fantastic industry event and to reward its stars, but to highlight how companies can make a difference in the industry by taking the lead on high-level topics and bringing them to this forum.

Ivan Filetti, head of operations and business development at GamingMalta, commented: “The industry is growing at a rapid pace and iGaming Idol’s HR Connect is an engaging forum in which industry players can discuss the issues they are facing so that they can proactively deal with them internally by sharing best practices and externally by exploring possible solutions with relevant authorities, such as GamingMalta.”

GamingMalta has already taken the first step to tackle the minor issues that employees have with acquiring official documents by coordinating an appointment with an Identity Malta representative as a personalised service to the industry. All industry employees were invited to meet (by appointment) at the Intercontinental Hotel on 8 June between 8.30am and 2pm.

Pedersen added: “We are very happy that GamingMalta has welcomed this initiative and is supporting us. It is imperative that both the authorities and the industry at large work hand-in-hand to overcome the challenges faced by this ever-changing market.”