2O16 EDITION Industry Yearbook & Business Directory , PUBLISHED BY EUROPE S iGaming Capital CountryProfiler “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Seneca (ca. 4 BC – 65 AD; Roman philosopher, dramatist, and writer) www.kpmg.com.mt © 2016 KPMG, a Maltese Civil Partnership and a member fi rm of the KPMG network of independent member fi rms affi liated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. Gaming: Consolidation drives deal-making The thirst for scale is constantly being fuelled by growth rate pressures, a regulatory dimension in fl ux, and increased competition and costs. A quick glance at a selection of recent deal activity is testament to this. This space is also not limited to the largest players only, with smaller deals adding colour to the M&A fabric. KPMG’s Deal Advisory team leverages its cross border Merger and Acquisition network and dedicated gaming professionals to identify, execute, and support you throughout the entire transaction cycle and beyond. € €5.9 Bn “Luck is what €5.4 Bn €4.1 Bn €3.94 Bn happens when €3.6 Bn €2.88 Bn preparation meets 2013 2014 2015 €1.4 Bn opportunity.” €1.16 Bn €1.11 Bn €1 Bn €1.07 Bn €625M €586.5M Seneca (ca. 4 BC – 65 AD; Roman philosopher, dramatist, and writer) €388.9M €208M €101.2M €30M €77..4M €14.5M €59M €3.4M T Key (Left to right) Amaya Gaming & Rational Group Optimal Payments & Skrill William Hill & Sportingbet XLMedia & ExciteAd Digital Marketing NYX Gaming Group & Chartwell and Cryptologic Bally Technologies & GTECH & International Gaming Technology Unibet & iGame Group Entertainment Incoporated SHFL Scientific Games & Bally Technologies Intertain & Gamesys Ladbrokes & Betdaq Aristocrat & Video Gaming Technologies (VGT) GVC Holdings & bwin.party Scientific Games & WMS Industries Cherry & Game Lounge Ladbrokes PLC and Coral Group Churchill Downs Incorporated Playtech & TradeFX Paddy Power PLC and Betfair Group PLC & Big Fish Games Betsson & Europe-Bet Activision Blizzard & King Source: Bloomberg L.P, Thomson Reuters, iGaming Business For further information on how KPMG can help your business, please contact www.kpmg.com.mt David Pace Russell Mifsud Download the KPMG Malta App: Partner, Manager, Deal Advisory Gaming E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.kpmg.com.mt T: +356 2563 1160 T: +356 2563 1044 © 2016 KPMG, a Maltese Civil Partnership and a member fi rm of the KPMG network of independent member fi rms affi liated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. © 2016 KPMG, a Maltese Civil Partnership and a member fi rm of the KPMG network of independent member fi rms affi liated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved. GAMINGmalta 4 2O16 EDITION CountryProfiler Ltd is a specialist publisher of MEET THE TEAM country information that assists corporations managing operations across national borders 2O16 EDITION with trade, investment and relocation decisions. Industry Yearbook & Business Directory CountryProfiler is recognised by senior business executives, government representatives, institutions and global organisations as a leading provider of informative, insightful and actionable country intelligence. Garvan Keating Sonja Lindenberg Regional Director Editor EUROPE [email protected] [email protected] 64, St Anne Court, Flat 4, Bisazza Street, , PUBLISHED BY EUROPE S iGaming Capital CountryProfiler Sliema SLM 1642 - Malta T: +356 2034 2034 Cover illustration Peter Winfield NORTH AMERICA Suite 21-2123, Walkers Line, Burlington, Ontario L7M 42Z9 - Canada Tel: +1 905 645 1130 Fax: +1 905 963 7968 Morgane Stein Bronagh Devlin Business Executive Deputy Editor [email protected] [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.countryprofiler.com PHOTOGRAPHY Alan Carville / George Scintilla / Fritz Grimm / Viewingmalta PRINTING Melissa Puglisevich Ramon Micallef Gutenberg Press, Malta Office Manager Art Director [email protected] [email protected] PUBLICATION DATE January 2016 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed in Gaming Malta are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. All reasonable care is taken to ensure truth and accuracy, but the editor and publisher cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions in articles, advertising, photographs, or illustrations. WE INVEST IN OUR PEOPLE. WWW.TIPICO-CAREERS.COM What has established our global reputation in the gaming industry? At the Malta Gaming Authority, our regulatory philosophy, organisational principles and culture are focused on player protection. Malta’s transparent legal framework and experience in regulating gaming has developed into a world class eco-system providing effective, innovative and efficient regulation. Our regulatory framework provides assurances both locally and internationally that fairness and transparency are at the core of everything that we do. To this effect, our licensees are associated with the highest levels of integrity and efficiency. Proudly recognised as a world class authority in terms of innovation, governance and diligence. MALTA GAMING AUTHORITY Building SCM02-03, Level 4, SmartCity Malta, Ricasoli SCM 1001, Malta T +356 2546 9000 E [email protected] www.mga.org.mt GAMINGmalta 2O16 EDITION 7 10 Gaming Jurisdiction CONTENTS Overview 18 23 26 36 GOAL CORNER INTERVIEW 2015 in Review INDUSTRY The SPOTKICK REPRESENTATIVES: YELLOWOFFSIDE CARD Joseph Cuschieri, Future PENALTY Executive Chairman What they have of of the Malta Gaming to say In-Play Authority 38 58 2015 REVISITED THE TOP TRENDS FOR 2016 AND BEYOND The Move to Mobile ....................................................................... 38 Omni-Channel ...............................................................................58 Gamification – More than a Buzzword? ...................................... 40 Big Data & Analytics .......................................................................66 What has established our global Legal Aspects of Gamification .......................................................42 Wearables ....................................................................................... 68 DDoS Attacks Continue to Rise .....................................................45 Virtual Reality ................................................................................ 68 A Year of Merger Mania .................................................................45 Personalisation & Differentiation..................................................70 reputation in the gaming industry? Business Opportunities in the Mergers & Acquisition Space ......46 Payments ......................................................................................... 71 A New Tax Reality ..........................................................................49 eSports ............................................................................................72 EU Application of the Gambling VAT Exemption ...................... 50 Forex ................................................................................................72 At the Malta Gaming Authority, our regulatory philosophy, organisational principles Navigating a Fragmented Regulatory Landscape .......................52 Binary Options ................................................................................72 and culture are focused on player protection. Malta’s transparent legal framework and Affiliates: Rising to the Challenge..................................................54 Start-ups ..........................................................................................73 experience in regulating gaming has developed into a world class eco-system providing effective, innovative and efficient regulation. Our regulatory framework provides assurances both locally and internationally that fairness and transparency are at the core of everything that we do. 76 87 92 94 To this effect, our licensees are associated with the highest The Silent Networking Events OPERATOR ROUNDTABLE: levels of integrity and efficiency. Looking Back, Interview in Malta Calendar Proudly recognised as a world class authority in terms of Racing Ahead innovation, governance and diligence. 98 120 123 REGULATORY UPdaTE Winning the Battle iGaming Doing Malta: A Thought-Leader in iGaming ...........................................99 for Talent Business Guide The Application Process ...............................................................102 Regulations at a Glance ................................................................107 News from the MGA ..................................................................... 114 132 136 MALTA GAMING AUTHORITY Finding Homes for a The Essential Building SCM02-03, Level 4, SmartCity Malta, Ricasoli SCM 1001, Malta Booming Industry Expat Guide T +356 2546 9000 E [email protected] www.mga.org.mt now... take the right path We have the expertise and the experience to take you and your business on the right path to Malta’s tax, residential and business opportunities, backed by a reliable and efficient service. This is why we are your best guide to your success in maximising on Malta’s great potential. Discover Malta’s advantages in Corporate Taxation | Setting up a Company | Taking up Residence Contact us to learn more ACT Advisory Services Limited Villa