Gaming technology: The challenge from within
The International Casino Exhibition, the ICEi 2007 Expo held recently at London's Earls Court, attracted thousands of visitors from all over the world who came to see the latest in gaming technologies and to close business deals that will help shape...
The International Casino Exhibition, the ICEi 2007 Expo held recently at London's Earls Court, attracted thousands of visitors from all over the world who came to see the latest in gaming technologies and to close business deals that will help shape the face of the industry to come.
The Malta pavilion was not only the largest presence of the Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority to date, but many of the exhibitors at the expo, including big names in the industry, already have a licence from Malta and were offering their services in Malta. Other jurisdictions competing with Malta were completely marginalised by the strength of the Maltese presence.
The greatest contribution that the gaming industry has made in Malta is probably the flourish of skills and services that have sprouted around the industry; skills and services that will survive the industry itself. Malta has shown that when given an opportunity it can run farther and faster than most other nations and indeed the gaming industry is a proud chapter in the history of our nation.
Despite the success of the event, fears abound in the industry. The UK is determined to compete with Malta and to offer an alternative to Malta for gaming licences. The linchpin of this assault on Malta will be the tax incentives that the UK will offer to attract business. Without these, it is unlikely that gaming operators will be interested in being licensed from the UK.
Malta is a respectable jurisdiction and the Maltese government's commitment to the industry has been amply demonstrated when operators based in Malta were challenged by Italy or France. On top of that, the dynamic business community that has grown around the industry makes Malta a prime location for operating in this sector.
The biggest challenge to the industry probably comes from within, with ever more companies crowding the industry just as the number of new applications plateaus. The industry is also witnessing fragmentation, with several professionals leaving their companies to set up on their own, adding significantly to the number of firms that compete in this industry. With such a saturation of the market taking place, there is bound to be a drop in the quality of services and the effort that is put in this industry.
Still exhausted and hoarse, the Maltese contingent returned to Malta confident and ready to take on the challenges and surprises that the 2007 will offer.
En.g Bezzina is a consultant in the industry and a key official on a number of gaming licences. He was also one of the exhibitors at ICEi.
The Malta pavilion was not only the largest presence of the Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority to date, but many of the exhibitors at the expo, including big names in the industry, already have a licence from Malta and were offering their services in Malta. Other jurisdictions competing with Malta were completely marginalised by the strength of the Maltese presence.
The greatest contribution that the gaming industry has made in Malta is probably the flourish of skills and services that have sprouted around the industry; skills and services that will survive the industry itself. Malta has shown that when given an opportunity it can run farther and faster than most other nations and indeed the gaming industry is a proud chapter in the history of our nation.
Despite the success of the event, fears abound in the industry. The UK is determined to compete with Malta and to offer an alternative to Malta for gaming licences. The linchpin of this assault on Malta will be the tax incentives that the UK will offer to attract business. Without these, it is unlikely that gaming operators will be interested in being licensed from the UK.
Malta is a respectable jurisdiction and the Maltese government's commitment to the industry has been amply demonstrated when operators based in Malta were challenged by Italy or France. On top of that, the dynamic business community that has grown around the industry makes Malta a prime location for operating in this sector.
The biggest challenge to the industry probably comes from within, with ever more companies crowding the industry just as the number of new applications plateaus. The industry is also witnessing fragmentation, with several professionals leaving their companies to set up on their own, adding significantly to the number of firms that compete in this industry. With such a saturation of the market taking place, there is bound to be a drop in the quality of services and the effort that is put in this industry.
Still exhausted and hoarse, the Maltese contingent returned to Malta confident and ready to take on the challenges and surprises that the 2007 will offer.
En.g Bezzina is a consultant in the industry and a key official on a number of gaming licences. He was also one of the exhibitors at ICEi.