Drumbeat of success
Take a look at the photo on the right. That's right. That is a guitar and an eletronic drum kit there on the cupboard. Think of them as perks of the job, something that sets Betsson apart as an employer. The online gaming company's offices in Ta' Xbiex...
Take a look at the photo on the right. That's right. That is a guitar and an eletronic drum kit there on the cupboard. Think of them as perks of the job, something that sets Betsson apart as an employer. The online gaming company's offices in Ta' Xbiex are spread across two floors, with relaxation rooms and chill-out areas at every turn. The working areas are finished in stimulating orange and red, with huge windows letting in natural light.
Betsson wants to be seen as a good employer because it needs recruits... and plenty of them.
When present CEO Thomas Kalita came to Malta in 2006, the company had 19 staff and operated from small offices in Sliema. It moved to Ta' Xbiex and has just extended its offices by 800 sq.m. to cope with the 101 staff it now employs - and there are 70 empty workstations waiting to be filled.
"Given our rate of growth, I am already wondering how long it will be before we need even more space," he said.
The two brands, Betsson.com and CasinoEuro.com, cater for 15 markets (US and Maltese residents cannot use the sites) and Mr Kalita expects the company to grow even faster than the 25-30 per cent increase in the overall market. "The key driver of this growth is increased internet access, which is drawing players away from physical casinos or betting shops to the comfort of their own homes."
Every time the topic of online gaming comes up, so does the danger of gambling addictions. Is gambling in the privacy of your home more likely to lead to problems?
"There have been a few studies on addiction which show that around 1-2 per cent have problems but that figure does not seem to vary. We take this very seriously and have special areas on our websites about responsible gaming, including online controls that players can put in to monitor their own playing," he said.
A number of EU countries still try to protect their state-owned gaming monopolies but they are losing a fighting battle, with courts now ruling that this is protection and not, as governments try to argue, restrictions in the public interest. As restrictions are lifted, the number of players will increase even further. The US still bans its residents from using overseas online gaming sites but with so much pent-up demand, the pressure is growing for it to relax its controls.
"This is a profitable sector which raised considerable revenue for government coffers. But competitive forces in any market, even in online gaming, bring down the price and improve the service for players. For example, we offer a theoretical pay-out on the casino site of 96 per cent, higher than the norm," he said.
At present Betsson employs staff from 15 countries, most of whom are multilingual, which means that it can offer support 24/7 to all its markets. Maltese currently account for 30 per cent of staff but the percentage is growing all the time.
"There are many gaming companies competing for staff. If you want to attract the best, you have to offer the best atmosphere as well as good working conditions."
This means that the team meets for breakfast once a week and get to bang on drums. The company also operates a very flat structure, which boosts motivation. The online gaming industry in Malta has flourished, attracted by good tax incentives and a firm but accessible regulator (the Lotteries and Gaming Authority) which has ensured that the industry maintains adequate control.
"We are a professional company and it is in our interest to follow rules," Mr Kalita said.
"The living conditions in Malta are very attractive for expatriates and the infrastructure is all in place. Bandwidth is still expensive - it actually costs more here than in Sweden - but we know that more cables are planned which should result in lower tariffs. This is very important."
Betsson is listed on the Nordic Stock Exchange and saw its share price quadruple last year. The company was the first to move its operational headquarters here, as opposed to back office or ancillary work. Its turnover last year was €80 million.
Historical highlights
1963 AB Restaurant Rouletter is founded in Sweden but by 1978, the country bans slot machines and operations dry up overnight.
1986 Now branded as Cherry, the company runs slot machines and casinos in Eastern Europe but these are not profitable and the company refocuses on Sweden.
1996 Cherry offers Wheel of Fortune games which the Swedish Parliament promptly bans.
2000 Cherry buys into Net Entertainment and lists on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
2003 Cherry buys into British sports betting company Betsson.com.
2004 Net Entertainment acquires licence in Malta.
2006 Cherry changes its name to Betsson.
Betsson wants to be seen as a good employer because it needs recruits... and plenty of them.
When present CEO Thomas Kalita came to Malta in 2006, the company had 19 staff and operated from small offices in Sliema. It moved to Ta' Xbiex and has just extended its offices by 800 sq.m. to cope with the 101 staff it now employs - and there are 70 empty workstations waiting to be filled.
"Given our rate of growth, I am already wondering how long it will be before we need even more space," he said.
The two brands, Betsson.com and CasinoEuro.com, cater for 15 markets (US and Maltese residents cannot use the sites) and Mr Kalita expects the company to grow even faster than the 25-30 per cent increase in the overall market. "The key driver of this growth is increased internet access, which is drawing players away from physical casinos or betting shops to the comfort of their own homes."
Every time the topic of online gaming comes up, so does the danger of gambling addictions. Is gambling in the privacy of your home more likely to lead to problems?
"There have been a few studies on addiction which show that around 1-2 per cent have problems but that figure does not seem to vary. We take this very seriously and have special areas on our websites about responsible gaming, including online controls that players can put in to monitor their own playing," he said.
A number of EU countries still try to protect their state-owned gaming monopolies but they are losing a fighting battle, with courts now ruling that this is protection and not, as governments try to argue, restrictions in the public interest. As restrictions are lifted, the number of players will increase even further. The US still bans its residents from using overseas online gaming sites but with so much pent-up demand, the pressure is growing for it to relax its controls.
"This is a profitable sector which raised considerable revenue for government coffers. But competitive forces in any market, even in online gaming, bring down the price and improve the service for players. For example, we offer a theoretical pay-out on the casino site of 96 per cent, higher than the norm," he said.
At present Betsson employs staff from 15 countries, most of whom are multilingual, which means that it can offer support 24/7 to all its markets. Maltese currently account for 30 per cent of staff but the percentage is growing all the time.
"There are many gaming companies competing for staff. If you want to attract the best, you have to offer the best atmosphere as well as good working conditions."
This means that the team meets for breakfast once a week and get to bang on drums. The company also operates a very flat structure, which boosts motivation. The online gaming industry in Malta has flourished, attracted by good tax incentives and a firm but accessible regulator (the Lotteries and Gaming Authority) which has ensured that the industry maintains adequate control.
"We are a professional company and it is in our interest to follow rules," Mr Kalita said.
"The living conditions in Malta are very attractive for expatriates and the infrastructure is all in place. Bandwidth is still expensive - it actually costs more here than in Sweden - but we know that more cables are planned which should result in lower tariffs. This is very important."
Betsson is listed on the Nordic Stock Exchange and saw its share price quadruple last year. The company was the first to move its operational headquarters here, as opposed to back office or ancillary work. Its turnover last year was €80 million.
Historical highlights
1963 AB Restaurant Rouletter is founded in Sweden but by 1978, the country bans slot machines and operations dry up overnight.
1986 Now branded as Cherry, the company runs slot machines and casinos in Eastern Europe but these are not profitable and the company refocuses on Sweden.
1996 Cherry offers Wheel of Fortune games which the Swedish Parliament promptly bans.
2000 Cherry buys into Net Entertainment and lists on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
2003 Cherry buys into British sports betting company Betsson.com.
2004 Net Entertainment acquires licence in Malta.
2006 Cherry changes its name to Betsson.