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Entrepreneur Alleges ESPN ‘Copycat’ Tech to Help Fans Find Games

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ESPN in August of last year tried to prove its utility to all fans by unveiling a “Where to Watch” search feature in its mobile app and website that would do something every sports aficionado has craved since Amazon nabbed rights to stream portions of the NFL’s “Thursday Night Football” in 2017: help die-hards increasingly frustrated in their efforts to find their favorite teams as sports began to stream across new broadband giants, league-owned outlets and regional venues.

Lydia Murphy-Stephans believes she did this first — and thinks Disney couldn’t have done it without her.

In a suit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York, Murphy-Stephans, an entrepreneur who was once a programming executive for ABC Sports and president of a now-shuttered TV network devoted to Pac-12 Conference schools, alleges ESPN and Disney spurred her to reveal the inner workings of a sports-search product she had created at her own company, SportsBubble, then launched its own version of the product. Murphy-Stephans is seeking a jury trial, as well as damages that could total more than $600 million.

In the suit, she alleges that in 2021, ESPN “feigned interest in a partnership with SportsBubble (and signed a nondisclosure agreement) to induce SportsBubble to share its confidential trade and business secrets with ESPN,” but instead “misappropriated SportsBubble’s confidential information to develop a copycat product after stringing SportsBubble along for months in fruitless ‘negotiations,’ sidelining it from other lucrative partnerships.”

ESPN declined to comment.

“When I introduced SportsBubble to Bob Iger and ESPN executives years ago, they claimed to be excited about working with us and partnering on our flagship product, WatchSports. But, while under NDA to evaluate WatchSports for a business partnership, they publicly announced a copycat product as if we magically didn’t exist,” says Murphy-Stephans. “We firmly believe the ‘Where To Watch’ programming guide on the ESPN platforms is the same product SportsBubble presented to ESPN, and that they copied it, and put their own name on it.”

The legal imbroglio spotlights the growing importance of tracking sports as rights deals become increasingly spread out among different venues. With sports standing as the only TV format that seems able to continue the large, simultaneous audiences that advertisers and distributors crave, the fees to keep them on air have gone from eye-popping to exorbitant. With prices so high, media companies are narrowing their packages, leaving some big leagues like the NBA spread across more networks and streamers. Add a shifting landscape for local rights into the mix and it’s little wonder sports fans are often stymied in their efforts to quickly find the right game at the right time.

Stephans-Murphy thought she had come up with just the solution. While watching an NBA Finals game in 2018, she left her living room to get the snacks ready in the kitchen – and set about a task that she felt should have been a lot simpler: trying to stream the match on her iPad. Instead, she spent precious minutes trying to navigate authenticating into Comcast and then getting back into ESPN.

She launched the WatchSports app in 2021, after working on it for four years. The service — a live sports guide for the streaming era — helped consumers find their game and navigate the various outlets required in order to see it. She got paid by referral fees paid when consumers took out a subscription to watch a match.

ESPN was interested, she alleged. By February of 2022, ESPN and SportsBubble had struck a deal in principle that would list approximately 40,000 sporting events from the ESPN+ streaming service in WatchSports, and allow the app’s users to connect directly to ESPN’s platforms. During these negotiations, Stephans-Murphy alleges, ESPN requested confidential technical information about how the WatchSports app actually functioned. SportsBubble said it would do so under a non-disclosure agreeement.

In 2023, ESPN announced its intent to launch its own search product. And the Disney sports giant informed SportsBubble it no longer had any interest in any strategic partnership, nor had it been interested in one since conversations commenced in 2021.

“ESPN not only stole SportsBubble’s business model and product, but it also stymied SportsBubble’s growth by stringing SportsBubble along for months with false promises of a partnership, resource-intensive talks, and manufactured delays in the consummation of that partnership,” the company alleges in its lawsuit. “While SportsBubble focused on its prospective partnership with ESPN, it put
partnership discussions with the other major sports networks and event stakeholders on hold,
losing valuable time it could have spent capturing more of the market through other
opportunities.”

ESPN’s search technology could go much further in weeks to come. The company is about to launch a new stand-alone streaming app that gives subscribers all the content from its many cable networks, and, soon, it could offer the feeds from NFL Network as well as the NFL’s RedZone highlights service. In October, ESPN intends to offer a bundled service with Fox One, a streaming service from Fox Corp. that offers all of that company’s content in a single venue.

During a recent call with investors, Disney CEO Bob Iger talked up a potential search service for sports fans as quite the game changer. “”As a devoted sports fan, I often have to work to try to find what platform sports are on,” he said. “If we can help consumers in that regard, we’re certainly going to try.”



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ASUS Seizes Market Leadership in the OLED Monitor Market as Shipments Soar in 2025

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ASUS today announced that it has claimed the No. 1 position in global OLED monitor market share, following a surge in sales throughout 2025. According to independent market research firm TrendForce, ASUS now holds an estimated 21.9% share, surpassing competitors and cementing its leadership in this fast-growing market.

This milestone underscores the company’s commitment to delivering more than just monitors – it reflects a user-first strategy focused on elevating the overall display experience. By expanding its OLED portfolio across both QD-OLED and WOLED technologies for gaming, professional, and creator segments, ASUS ensures solutions are tailored to diverse user needs. Unique innovations such as OLED Care Pro, Neo Proximity Sensor, TrueBlack Glossy, and DisplayWidget Center go beyond performance, enhancing usability, longevity, and visual immersion. This consumer-centric approach transforms OLED monitors into a complete experience, driving user preference for ASUS products and solidifying the company’s position as the No. 1 OLED market leader.

Driving growth through innovation and diversity
ASUS is accelerating its OLED momentum through a broad, innovation-driven portfolio that spans gaming, creator, and professional segments – leveraging advanced panel technologies, robust burn-in protection, and rapid product launches to meet the needs of a diverse and growing user base.

  • Broad product lineup: ASUS launched a wide array of OLED monitors in 2025, targeting everything from competitive esports to high-fidelity content creation.
  • Advanced OLED technologies: New models, such as the ROG Swift OLED PG27AQWP-W and ROG Strix OLED XG27AQWMG, integrate Tandem OLED technology and TrueBlack Glossy coating, delivering higher peak brightness, wider color volume and enhanced panel longevity.
  • Burn-in protection: Proprietary ASUS OLED Care Pro suite – including the Neo Proximity Sensor – helps safeguard panel lifespan by switching the display to a black screen when no user is detected.
  • Rapid product cadence: In early 2025, ASUS introduced the 27-inch QD-OLED ROG Swift PG27UCDM (4K @ 240 Hz) and the blazing-fast ROG Strix XG27AQDPG (1440p QD-OLED @ 500 Hz).

Market momentum and strategic vision
TrendForce data reveals that OLED monitor shipments are growing at a breakneck pace – surging by 65% year over year in Q3 2025, with global shipments reaching 644,000 units. The increasing popularity of OLED displays for gaming has been a major, but not the only factor in this growth. As OLED panel technology continues to gain traction among gamers, the strategic investment and execution by ASUS have allowed it to rise swiftly in market share, overtaking long-time rivals.

Beyond gaming, ASUS ProArt OLED monitors are a favorite among content creators who need to pair next-level contrast and color performance with professional-grade accuracy, multiple HDR format support, wide-ranging connectivity, and intelligent calibration tools. ASUS ZenScreen OLED monitors give PC users of all kinds the superior color performance of OLED panels in a portable form factor.

Vincent Chiou, ASUS Global Vice President and General Manager of the Display Business Unit, observed: “ASUS has long been dedicated to innovation in display technology and impeccable quality. In addition to receiving high praise from gamers, the industry-leading ROG gaming monitors and the ProArt series designed for content creators have also made significant inroads into portable and medical fields, earning widespread recognition and favor. Moving forward, ASUS will continue to prioritize user needs at its core, delivering an unparalleled visual experience to consumers.”

The ASUS commitment to innovation

PC users of all kinds can expect to see ASUS to continue to innovate in this space with new OLED monitors that debut new panel technologies into diverse form factors, deliver enhanced reliability and performance in a variety of usage scenarios, and push the envelope with even higher-performance designs.



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Brightspeed invests $580,000 in STEM and esports, supporting North Carolina schools and programs — EdTech Innovation Hub

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The new funding announced will support schemes including $350,000 in sponsorship of the Coca Cola All Stars Golden Ticket contest, Formula STEM Esports Cup and the Player League Madden NFL tournament. 

Brightspeed will also act as a primary sponsor for two Bright Future Tech Labs in Triton High School and Orange High School, with funding worth more than $200,000. 

The company will also spend $15,000 on scholarships, equipment, and esports program travel for Wesleyan University and $10,000 on a grant supporting the Rocky Mount High School Gryphon Elite esports team. 

Brightspeed has also announced sponsorship for the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department’s four-part esports tournament, called the Battle in the Forest.

“Investing in technology education and esports is a natural extension of our commitment to North Carolina,” explains Sabrina Anderson, Local Marketing Manager at Brightspeed. 

“As we build a world-class fiber network across our home state, we’re equally focused on expanding opportunities for the students who will power our communities tomorrow. These initiatives give young people hands-on access to the tools, skills and experiences that prepare them for the digital future.”

“This scholarship will help ease the financial burden my parents carry in supporting my academic journey,” adds Shafiq Nuijts, a Wesleyan University student and recipient of Brightspeed funded scholarship. “It will also allow me to focus more deeply on my education and my internship this upcoming summer. As an international student, my experience has always involved balancing the challenges of maintaining my F-1 status, keeping a high GPA and reassuring my parents that their investment in me is being put to meaningful use. This scholarship affirms that commitment and motivates me to continue striving for excellence.”



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Gaming Computers Market to Reach USD 95 Billion by 2034, Growing

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Gaming Computers Market

Gaming Computers Market

Pune, India – Exactitude Consultancy – The global Gaming Computers Market is expected to witness strong growth over the forecast period, driven by the rising popularity of esports, increasing demand for high-performance computing, and continuous advancements in graphics and processor technologies. The market, valued at approximately USD 44 billion in 2024, is projected to reach nearly USD 95 billion by 2034, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 7.9%.

Gaming computers, including desktops and laptops, are designed to deliver superior performance, high-resolution graphics, and fast processing speeds to support immersive gaming experiences. Growing online gaming communities and professional gaming platforms are further accelerating market growth.

Download Full PDF Sample Copy of Market Report

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/request-sample/69340

Key Growth Drivers

• Rapid Growth of Esports and Online Gaming: Competitive gaming tournaments and streaming platforms are boosting demand for high-performance gaming systems.

• Advancements in Hardware Technology: Continuous improvements in GPUs, CPUs, cooling systems, and memory are enhancing gaming performance.

• Rising Disposable Income: Increasing consumer spending on premium electronics is supporting adoption of gaming computers.

• Expansion of Virtual and Augmented Reality Gaming: Demand for powerful computing systems to support VR and AR applications is increasing.

Market Segmentation Insights

By product type, gaming desktops hold a significant share due to superior customization and performance, while gaming laptops continue to gain popularity for portability.

By price range, mid-range and high-end systems dominate the market, driven by demand from professional and enthusiast gamers.

By end user, individual consumers account for the largest share, followed by gaming cafes and esports organizations.

Explore Full Report here:

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/69340/gaming-computers-market

Regional Overview

Asia-Pacific represents the largest and fastest-growing regional market, supported by a large gamer population, strong esports culture, and expanding gaming infrastructure in countries such as China, South Korea, Japan, and India.

North America shows strong growth driven by high adoption of advanced gaming hardware and a mature esports ecosystem.

Europe continues to expand steadily due to rising gaming participation and technological innovation.

Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are emerging regions, supported by increasing internet penetration and growing gaming communities.

Get Your Exclusive Offer with up to 10% Discount

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Competitive Landscape

The gaming computers market is highly competitive, with major players focusing on performance optimization, innovative designs, and brand partnerships. Companies are investing in advanced cooling technologies, RGB customization, and AI-enabled performance tuning to differentiate their offerings.

Market Outlook

With the gaming industry continuing to evolve rapidly, the Gaming Computers Market is expected to experience sustained growth through 2034. Increasing esports adoption, next-generation gaming technologies, and expanding digital entertainment consumption will remain key drivers of market expansion.

This report is also available in the following languages : Japanese (ゲーミングコンピュータ市場), Korean (게이밍 컴퓨터 시장), Chinese (游戏电脑市场), French (Marché des ordinateurs de jeu), German (Markt für Gaming-Computer), and Italian (Mercato dei computer da gioco), etc.

Request for a sample of this research report at (Use Corporate Mail ID for Quick Response) @

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/request-sample/69340

Our More Reports:

Redundant EPS System Market

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/69077/redundant-eps-system-market

InGaAs Image Sensors Market

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/68951/ingaas-image-sensors-market

Ceramic Electrostatic Chucks Market

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/68953/ceramic-electrostatic-chucks-market

Electrical Wires Market

https://exactitudeconsultancy.com/reports/68955/electrical-wires-market

About Us

Exactitude Consultancy is a market research & consulting services firm which helps its client to address their most pressing strategic and business challenges. Our market research helps clients to address critical business challenges and also helps make optimized business decisions with our fact-based research insights, market intelligence, and accurate data.

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This release was published on openPR.



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EAG Expo to Bring Together Three Interlinked Sectors of Entertainment and Gaming in a Single Venue

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{long detailed version} To read this in full, click on the Privacy Policy button found in this window.

{short version} These terms and conditions govern your use of the websites owned and operated by European Gaming Media and Events; by using our websites, you accept these terms and conditions in full and without reservation. If you disagree with these terms and conditions or any part of these terms and conditions, you must not use these websites.

You must be at least 18 [eighteen] years of age to use our websites. By using our websites and by agreeing to these terms and conditions, you warrant and represent that you are at least 18 years of age.

The list of the websites owned and operated by European Gaming Media and Events can be found here.

In other words,
You must be at least 18 years old to use our service and fully agree with everything stated on this page. Otherwise, sorry, guys, ours websites are not for you.

License to use our websites
Unless otherwise stated, European Gaming Media and Events and/or its licensors own the intellectual property rights published on our websites and materials used on the European Gaming Media and Evnts network. Subject to the license below, all these intellectual property rights are reserved.

You may view, download for caching purposes only, and print pages, files or other content from the websites for your own personal use, subject to the restrictions set out below and elsewhere in these terms and conditions.

You must not:

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Where content is specifically made available for redistribution, it may only be redistributed within your organisation.

In other words,
Everything on our websites belongs to us. You can read it, but you cannot republish it. Sounds fair, doesn’t it?

Acceptable use
You must not use these websites in any way that causes, or may cause, damage to the websites or impairment of the availability or accessibility of the European Gaming Media network or in any way which is unlawful, illegal, fraudulent or harmful, or in connection with any unlawful, illegal, fraudulent or harmful purpose or activity.

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Sultan Almasoud on the Top Trends in Technology and Esports in Saudi Arabia – Tech & Sourcing @ Morgan Lewis

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Dr. Sultan Almasoud, managing partner of Morgan Lewis’s Riyadh office, has been closely involved in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s rapid evolution into a global hub for innovation. His insights on the questions below shed light on the trends reshaping technology and esports—and the opportunities they unlock for investors and operators entering the market.

Q&A: SULTAN ALMASOUD

1. What are the most significant technology trends currently driving growth in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia is undergoing one of the most ambitious digital transformation journeys in the world. The most significant trend is the rapid adoption of AI across government, financial services, healthcare, and industrial sectors. Vision 2030 has accelerated investment in AI-ready infrastructure, digital identity, automation, and data platforms that support new digital services at scale.

We also are seeing strong momentum in cloud migration, driven by hyperscaler expansions, data localization policies, and new solutions that make it easier for public and private entities to adopt cloud-native technologies. In parallel, fintech innovation, digital payments, and open banking are creating a dynamic ecosystem of startups, investors, and regulators working together to modernize the financial landscape.

In addition, Saudi Arabia’s giga projects are acting as large-scale accelerators for advanced technologies, while strong regulatory frameworks around data, cloud, and cybersecurity are providing international investors with clarity and confidence. Combined with significant investment in digital talent and localization, this is enabling sustainable, long-term technology-driven growth across the Kingdom.

 

2. How is Saudi Arabia positioning itself as a global hub for esports?

Saudi Arabia has made esports a national priority, fundamentally reshaping the sector. The launch of the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) and the Esports World Cup, supported by major public investment commitments, has placed the Kingdom at the center of global competitive gaming.

But the strategy extends beyond events. The country is developing training academies, production studios, esports arenas, and digital platforms that sustain year-round player and audience engagement. This ecosystem-driven approach is drawing global publishers, teams, and content creators who now view Saudi Arabia as a foundational market for long-term esports growth.

 

3. What opportunities do you see emerging for investors and companies entering the Saudi tech and esports market?

There is tremendous opportunity at the intersection of technology, entertainment, and digital infrastructure. For technology companies, opportunities are especially strong in AI solutions, cybersecurity, cloud services, digital identity, and smart city platforms.

In esports, the most compelling opportunities lie in content creation, talent development, gaming studios, tournament production, and technologies supporting broadcasting, analytics, and community engagement. Investors who understand the regulatory environment and align with the Kingdom’s long-term vision will find a market eager for strategic partnerships.

 

4. What challenges should companies keep in mind when operating in these fast-evolving sectors?

These sectors are evolving quickly, which makes regulatory navigation an important challenge. Companies need to stay aligned with requirements around licensing, content regulation, data protection, and foreign investment—areas that are developing alongside the industry itself.

Another key challenge is specialized talent. Whether it”s game design, AI engineering, or esports event management, building local capability is essential. Companies that invest early in training programs, knowledge transfer, and local partnerships will be best positioned for sustainable growth.

Ultimately, success requires a long-term commitment to the market, strong local relationships, and an understanding of national priorities as the Kingdom advances its digital transformation goals.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Saudi Arabia is positioning itself at the forefront of global innovation, with technology and esports playing central roles in the nation’s economic transformation. As investment accelerates and new digital ecosystems emerge, companies that build strategic partnerships and engage deeply with local priorities will be poised to lead. Morgan Lewis is committed to helping clients navigate this dynamic landscape and capture the opportunities shaping the Kingdom’s digital future.



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What to expect from Gaming Malta at ICE Barcelona

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From regulatory certainty and talent depth to immersive innovation, Malta will showcase its full iGaming ecosystem at ICE Barcelona 2026. The Malta experiential showcase booth promises a unified national presence highlighting why the island remains the home of gaming excellence.

Given the sweeping reforms proposed and passed in iGaming jurisdictions worldwide in recent times, it is hardly surprising that ‘regulation’ has remained the most pressing issue for operators over the past two years.

In a turbulent landscape though, Malta has nurtured a long-established reputation for regulatory stability that has enabled the picturesque Mediterranean republic, with a population of just over half a million people, to punch well above its weight.

At ICE Barcelona 2026 in January, the island’s qualities as an iGaming jurisdiction will be showcased to the sector like never before at the Malta booth.

Designed to promote the destination as the world’s online igaming jurisdiction and the home of gaming excellence, the Malta space will be a hub of activity throughout gaming’s biggest show, with a virtual reality roulette experience created by Malta-based Draw & Code offering a compelling centrepiece.

“We have built the world’s iGaming Silicon Valley in Malta, and the expo space will be testament to our relentless approach in this regard,” says GamingMalta CEO Ivan Filletti. GamingMalta is an independent non-profit foundation jointly established by the Government of Malta and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).

A coordinated national presence

The Malta booth will serve as a live ecosystem, bringing together leading industry voices, including founders, operators, service-providers and regulators, with visitors able to discover first-hand how businesses scale from Malta.

Notably, a coordinated national presence will be on show at gaming’s most influential annual gathering. For the first time, GamingMalta and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)  will be joined by government’s economic development agency Malta Enterprise, Malta’s largest bank, Bank of Valletta (BOV) and Identita responsible for citizens’ identity management and the implementation of migration processes will come together to present a united front.

This collaborative representation is not only designed to amplify Malta’s credibility – by enabling questions to be answered on a range of topics in the same place, from licensing and banking to staffing. It also signals unity in action.

“Going as a unified front communicates government and ecosystem alignment; that Malta isn’t a loose cluster but a coherent jurisdiction that supports long-term business,” GamingMalta explains. “This is especially persuasive to institutional investors and regulated operators.”

Such alignment is illustrated by Malta’s relatively predictable regulatory outlook. With GamingMalta’s ongoing R.E.S.P.E.C.T. campaign spear heading reputation management for the industry through the pillars of responsible gambling, entertainment, speed, professionalism, enhanced due diligence, consistency and talent, the focus is now on cementing Malta’s status as the home of gaming excellence.

Embracing the sector

According to GamingMalta, though, the attraction of Malta is “a sum of all the parts rather than one silver bullet”.

Regulatory certainty, international recognition and reducing market entry friction are important factors, while the ecosystem density on the island ensures experienced suppliers are plentiful.

Additionally, as a springboard to the European Economic Area, with English in use as the language of business, and with substantial talent and immigration pathways, there are a multitude of reasons for gambling businesses to land in Malta.

Above all, GamingMalta believes the island has established a jurisdiction that has fully embraced the sector, from cross-political support to initiatives like the iGaming Council – a GamingMalta-led initiative that brings together operators and policy-makers.

A cornerstone of the Maltese economy

Underpinning Malta’s presence at ICE will be the government’s recently published Envision 2050 long-term strategy, which sets out clear and measurable targets for the nation’s development.

At the heart of this, Malta is targeting a more sustainable average annual GDP growth rate of 5% by 2035 driven by strategic investment in seven priority sectors – one of which is gaming.

Moreover, gaming has already proven itself to be a cornerstone of the Maltese economy. According to Envision 2050 projections, the sector’s contribution is expected to rise from €1.5bn (£1.31bn/$1.76bn) to between €2.3-€2.8bn, making up 6-7% of the nation’s projected GVA by 2035.

With a focus on strengthening leadership in the gaming industry, ensuring transparency, player protection and fair competition, Envision 2050 will ensure the sector continues to be a major contributor towards the national economy.

According to GamingMalta, this blueprint signals a clear north star, showing how Malta is “a safe and resilient nation, inspired by heritage and driven by progress, fostering a healthy quality of life for all”.

‘Make It In Malta’ campaign

The creative thread which will support this drive at ICE is the ‘Make It In Malta’ campaign, highlighting success stories and case studies from a mature and practical ecosystem for growth.

“This approach reinforces the ‘home of gaming excellence’ brand by showing evidence – such as deals, hires, regulatory clarity and investment – rather than simply asserting it,” adds GamingMalta, which underscored the strength of “operator-led storytelling”.

GamingMalta adds, “Nobody promotes a jurisdiction better than the companies who have grown there. They supply credibility, concrete metrics and relatable roadmaps for peers. Success breeds success and Malta is the perfect stage for your global ambitions.”

A talented workforce

There is solid evidence to back up such claims. At a recent iGaming Council meeting, new investments totalling €60m by different operators were confirmed.

Furthermore, Malta’s 14,000-strong gaming industry workforce, as well as its safe and stable work environment, is widely recognised as a key growth driver. According to an MGA survey last year, 85% of gaming operators based in Malta were satisfied or highly satisfied with the availability of skilled personnel and the quality and cost-effectiveness of local training opportunities versus other leading jurisdictions.

Similarly, around 80% of respondents were satisfied or highly satisfied with the ease of labour mobility, with favourable perceptions regarding workforce ethics even higher at 87%. Malta also offers an appealing quality of life attracting top tier talent to the island many working in the igaming industry.

From a gaming workforce perspective, GamingMalta stresses that Malta’s pool of talent will be the key differentiator in the next phase of growth.

“Talent scales businesses,” says GamingMalta, who added that institutions like the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) offer courses targeted at individuals who aim to progress in the gaming industry. 

“Without a pipeline of developers, ops staff and compliance specialists, operators stall. That’s why migration policy and skills programmes – including Identità and Malta Enterprise initiatives – are critical. Business-friendliness remains the accelerant, but stable regulation and accessible talent are the engine.”

“Nobody promotes a jurisdiction better than the companies who have grown there… Success breeds success and Malta is the perfect stage for your global ambitions”

A technological convergence

Malta is also benefiting from a timely convergence of technology through the simultaneous growth of esports, game development and immersive innovations.

“The respective ecosystems can feed into and collaborate with each other, albeit as different animals,” GamingMalta says. “Ultimately, it all boils down to entertainment and how consumers are attracted or relate to entertainment platforms.

“We will be consolidating the gambling sector by focusing on a strong regulatory framework ensuring transparency and fair competition and simultaneously accelerate interactive entertainment sectors through fiscal initiatives, technological innovation and talent development.

“Malta’s long-term strategy is to build a resilient, innovation-driven, high-value economy. The gaming, esports and interactive media sectors align perfectly with this national direction because they represent the type of future-proofed, knowledge-intensive industries Malta aims to anchor over the next 25 years.”

GamingMalta’s own ‘Manifesto’ builds on this drive with a blueprint designed to build on 20 years of success to secure the future of Malta as an in-demand destination for operators.

Among the key pillars of the Manifesto’s 10-point plan are a focus on keeping corporate tax competitive, maintaining political support, improving sector skills and developing off-island relations, as well as driving up responsible gaming standards and encouraging innovation.

Attracting and retaining operators

With a strong regulatory framework, competitive gaming tax structure and strategic position as a gateway to European gambling, casino and lottery markets, over 350 operators are already based on the island.

However, Malta’s gaming industry stakeholders are laser-focused on providing a framework that encourages further growth – and, like the operators it hosts, the desire is to attract, as well as retain.

Some of the industry’s biggest names have relocated to the republic. Meanwhile, at the end of 2023, across Malta’s largest 100 operators by turnover, the average period of operation on the island was 13 years -illustrating that once major players arrive, they tend to stay.

As GamingMalta CEO ​​Filletti says following ICE earlier this year: “Malta may be small in size, but our impact on the iGaming industry continues to be immense.”

Now, as a small nation with a big reputation, Maltese stakeholders are aligning to harness opportunities at major events like ICE, so the island can build on its status as the gold-standard of iGaming industry destinations.

Book your meeting today with GamingMalta, MGA or any of the co-participants at ICE on: https://www.gamingmalta.org/make-it-in-malta/ and visit the Make it in Malta booth Hall 4 Booth 4C40.

Ivan Filletti, GamingMalta CEO



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