Gaming Malta

Silvio Schembri Gaming Malta

Putting Malta on the esports map

AUTHOR Ollie Ring  @olliering

Malta is well known for its natural beauty. The tenth smallest country in the world boasts a vibrant economy for a small space. The Maltese government sit at the forefront of ensuring that Malta continues to be a desirable destination for tourists and businesses alike. With the aim of becoming the ‘Home of Gaming Excellence’ and funding committed to achieve it, the Maltese have lofty aspirations.

We spoke to Hon. Silvio Schembri, Junior Minister for Financial Services, Digital Economy & Innovation within the Maltese Government about their ambitious aims in the esports world.

About Hon. Silvio Schembri

Silvio Schembri is an elected Maltese politician and academic currently serving as a Junior Minister for Financial Services, Digital Economy & Innovation within the Maltese Government. An avid gamer Silvio is an experienced lecturer in Economics with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. He is skilled in political communications, negotiations, sustainable development, political science, and analytical skills. He has a Master of Arts and a Bachelors Degree of Honours focused in Economics from the University of Malta.

As a Junior Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Schembri forms part of Malta’s Cabinet of Ministers and is responsible for a wide portfolio including the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), The Malta Communications Authority (MCA), The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), The Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) and The Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA).

He is also one of the driving forces behind for the implementation of Malta’s Blockchain Strategy, spearheading the revolutionary changes in making Malta the Blockchain island.

Located in the centre of the Mediterranean, between Europe and North Africa, Malta is the European Union’s smallest member state. Famous for its 7,000-year history and 300 days of sunshine, Malta has emerged as one of the most remarkable success stories in the Eurozone.

The Esports Journal: For such a small island, Malta does very well to attract a large amount of business activity. What’s the key to the island’s success? Silvio Schembri: It’s really a sum of all the parts. A government championing a pro-business attitude, support services by professionals with a ‘can do’ attitude, state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure and modest cost of doing business. It has become the go to country for growth-minded entrepreneurs and multinational companies.

With a highly skilled, educated and multilingual gaming workforce and labour market, we have a burgeoning choice of established support industries including financial services,

management consultancy, data centres and telecoms.

Couple that with year round sun, sea, culture and a fun and friendly atmosphere, Malta is the perfect place to live, learn and work. Quite simply you come, you settle, you succeed.

ESJ: When did Malta look to esports and start to try and attract both to tournaments and local businesses to the area? SC: On the gaming front, we set a clear north star of being ‘Home of Gaming Excellence’ and Esports is a vital component to this objective. A year ago we started to look at a strategy to make this happen and through the GamingMalta Foundation we started to make inroads in this regard. Our message is very clear – we are open for business and want to position Malta as a place where gamers can find a welcoming home here. Game on!

ESJ: What can Malta bring to the esports scene?

SC: Malta already has a growing esports ecosystem. Suffice to note that Malta already has a number of recognised esports athletes together with having esports tournament organisers which are looking to scale up their operations. Malta not only offers the same top notch infrastructure associated with a European country but a unique historical landscape which can serve as extraordinary alternative venues for esports events. Additionally, we are talking about more than just esports competitions, but also expos, thought leadership and a new type of tourists ex. students seeking to learn English combined with esports boot camps - ultimately creating a new ecosystem around the sector.

What’s the ultimate goal for Malta? What’s the dream? SC: Our goal is the creation of a sustainable esports ecosystem in Malta for the upcoming years in which we create added value to existing initiatives and ecosystems.

Being gamer-centric is key. So creating an environment where local heroes make it to international global competitions is what ideally success will look like together with hosting prestigious international events.

About Gaming Malta

GamingMalta is an independent non-profit foundation set up by the Government of Malta and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). Tasked with the remit of promoting Malta as a centre of excellence in the digital and remote gaming sector globally, it is also responsible for liaising with the local relevant authorities to improve Malta’s attractiveness as a jurisdiction and enhance the ecosystem surrounding the gaming industry.