CSB Group showcases service offering at London gaming expo

CSB Group and legal firm Zammit & Associates recently participated in the International Gaming Expo at London's Earls Court.

The group has been involved in Malta's iGaming industry since its inception. Chief executive officer Michael Zammit stressed the importance of major exhibitions like the IGE 2010, as they give Maltese service providers the opportunity to promote Malta as an established and well-regulated European jurisdiction to a high-calibre audience.

Apart from assisting gaming operators with the submission and pursuance of their gaming licence application with the regulator, the group supports the operators' relocation to Malta with other key services like recruitment.

More than 2,500 people work directly in the iGaming industry in Malta, 50 per cent of them Maltese.

This year's IGE 2010 attracted over 20,000 visitors with over 250 companies showcasing their products and services. CSB Group intends to continue to participate in major events like this to further develop its business and maintain Malta's good reputation as a centre for excellence.

Andrew J. Zammit, of Zammit & Associates - Advocates, noted the strong participation of Maltese service providers at the expo, from several industries involved in supporting the remote gaming industry. He expressed concern that while the private sector continued to make significant investment in attracting operators to bring distinct components of their business to Malta, there did not appear to be a corresponding effort being made at the highest government levels.

He indicated that there is a perceived lack of pro-active participation by the government on the European plane to defend Malta's position as a remote gaming hub and to develop suitable policies and regulatory guidance to accommodate changing requirements in a fast-moving industry.

"If Malta is to retain its position as the leading remote gaming jurisdiction within the EU, the government must be able to effectively address the significant challenges presented by the need to dovetail Malta's regulatory regime with other jurisdictions as a result of the increased internationalisation of remote gaming networks. It must revise regulatory policies in the light of opportunities presented by new technologies and changing business models, and stave off increased pressure from other EU states seeking to impede the freedom of movement of services for what appear to be the wrong reasons."

He added it was certainly not realistic to expect the regulator to deal with developments, in addition to performing its daily functions without increasing its staff.