FROM SPORTS BOOK TO SPORTS CAPITAL

In an interview with SiGMA, Maltese MP Hon. Jean Claude Micallef spoke about his vision for an economic system that prioritises the mental and physical health of the Maltese people with the iGaming industry serving as a key pillar.

With just over two years in Parliament, the Labour MP has been a pro-active powerhouse when it comes to innovative ideas from both an economic and social point of view. Following an 18-year career in the broadcasting and marketing industry, Hon. Micallef is surely not camera shy and while till to date he sits on the backbench, some of his ideas have been under the spotlight. SiGMA caught up with Honourable Micallef for a quick Q&A:

The gaming industry acts as a pillar of the Maltese economy and as a government we’ve set the stage for the industry to flourish as much as it could both on the island and internationally. We’ve done this in a very holistic way by both creating an ecosystem that empowers creative entrepreneurs which are the lifeblood of any sector and by ensuring that the growth of this sector is also reflected in the living standards and wages of the Maltese people engaged in the industry.

This being said, we also plan to ensure that the industry acts as a tool to improve the well-being of the Maltese people in a way that goes beyond simple corporate social responsibility. The way I envision this is a presence that is not only economic or financial but also social and even cultural.

Which competitive advantages does Malta have both as an island and as an economy to attract and grow a native gaming industry?

Malta’s strength doesn't lie in its size but rather in its culture and initiative. The island has become a hub of innovation and iGaming industry mainly through its proactive approach when it comes to attracting talent and in creating a culture of acceptance and enterprise. We see people’s potential rather than their circumstances and always seek to provide the perfect platform to allow our creatives to reach their aspirations.

Beyond this, we’re also blessed to say that Malta is the perfect place to enjoy a safe and secure lifestyle with convenience at hand. What we lack in size we make up for in vision and energy. The island’s history of always fighting for survival has also made us quite ambitious when it comes to our place in the global economy and the impetus to better ourselves.

So what's your vision for a Maltese iGaming ecosystem that still feeds back into the island’s society and how does sports factor into this?

I’ve always seen the gaming industry as more than just a tool for entertainment and job creation but also an economic engine that can drive several initiatives beyond just the more direct issues of employment and funding. During this legislature, I have heavily advocated for the creation of a Ministry of Sports. It would be a vital step in elevating sports as a major topic in its own right. So far, we’ve been used to just a Parliamentary Secretary responsible for sports with not enough momentum on this subject to really give the issue the attention it needs. The Prime Minister’s recent stance of elevating sports with education to a ministry, is a step in the right direction.

We also need to tackle the misconception that sport is just a hobby. Health is one of the most important aspects of the wellbeing of a population, both in terms of quality of life and in terms of economic wealth since our healthcare system is socialised. With mental health becoming a major issue to tackle following the pandemic effects and Malta being a leader in obesity and heart problems amongst EU member states, there’s no time left to keep looking the other way. Let’s take the bull by the horns.

You proposed a Common Sports Policy to the Future of Europe Conference and in the Maltese Parliament you have proposed a number of initiatives. What’s your strategy towards Sport?

We need to segregate Elite Sports from Lifestyle Sports. The dynamics are different and so is its’ financial sustainability. Yet this will transfer to a shift in mentality where we delve away from mediocrity and strive towards excellence in terms of self-respect, benchmarks and standards. We have athletes who are registering international success yet as a nation we believe that the Small Nations games are our benchmark. There were times when we stirred away from financial services and the iGaming industry until we decided to hit the ground running. The numbers speak for themselves and the trickle effect on the Maltese economy is felt by many. In terms of action, I advocate that a portion of the revenue made from sportsbook, which is one of the most cash positive sectors of iGaming, be redirected towards the sustainability of elite sports initiatives.

Now, I believe the time is right for us to not only stop at bettering the economy but shifting our focus beyond just the bottom line but to also include the aspects of society that heighten our quality of living such as the arts, the environment and exercise. One of these key points is the possibility of pushing forward an initiative to register children aged 5 to 15 in a sports club which would go a long way in creating this culture of healthy living.

This will not only create a sustainable industry in terms of jobs but also builds competitive, healthy and confident up and coming generations.

It is a revolutionary measure. Did you receive any criticism?

The kind of criticism received was the exact matter which we need to fight as a Government to improve our society. it's might be revolutionary for a Mediterranean island but its the norm for Scandinavian countries. Standing still is not an option, neither for me as a politician nor for anyone who must better oneself.

The proposed measure is aimed precisely at those who aren't sports lovers - and by sports lovers I don't mean people who follow a match in front of a couch drinking beer. We need to better our society by investing in ourselves from an educational and health aspect. It’s useless having a wealthy income and a mediocre lifestyle. Change always encounters resistance, yet the results will be enjoyed by everyone.

So, this brings us to our last question. Do you see any interesting developments for Malta as a whole on the horizon?

Well, Malta has established itself as a leader in economic growth and in safeguarding its citizens both in terms of health and in terms of employment during the pandemic. It says something that we’ve registered the lowest ever unemployment rate and the highest ever amount of promises of sales this very year, when other countries have struggled and are struggling in terms of employability and cost of living. The future for the Maltese islands is blooming. While the General Elections are on the horizon we need to optimise our efforts in developing a society that moves towards a value of money attitude, where the quality of life isn’t assessed by just money in our pockets but by investing in cultural, well-being and health standards. Being dynamic in creating new industries, becoming leaders in carbon-neutral living and addressing mental health, sexual education and waste management are amongst the major challenges we need to focus our energy on developing a better Malta.

WE ALSO NEED TO TACKLE THE MISCONCEPTION THAT SPORTS IS JUST A HOBBY.

In an interview with Kyle, Entain’s own Head of Gaming Innovation Matthias Ciappara speaks about how his company values, philosophy (and admittedly fantastic taste in music) keeps them ahead of the pack.

THIS DRIVE IS ONE OF HUMANITY'S BEST ASPECTS AND POTENTIALLY ALSO ONE OF OUR CURSES, AN AMALGAMATION OF DOPAMINE, SEROTONIN AND MAYBE A BIT OF SOUL.

"Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger." Human drive and ambition continuously drive us to constantly advance and grow while also being an incredibly catchy lyric from Daft Punk. Both on a personal level and as a species, we always strive to push our limits and frontiers, evolve and adapt, create, and innovate.

This drive is one of humanity's best aspects and potentially also one of our curses, an amalgamation of dopamine, serotonin and maybe a bit of soul. It allowed us to create technology that no one would have ever imagined, explore outside of our confined spaces, even outside of our own planet, and create a genuinely hyper-connected world. Consider for a second everything you touch or see, even everyday items like your phones, a result of the work of hundreds of thousands of people working together in parallel behind the scenes. Each person is being unique and brings a different perspective that none of this would have been possible without even one.

It's remarkable. We are remarkable. What we all manage to accomplish together as humans is indescribable. But none of this would have been possible if we didn't work together. If we didn't take the best out of each and every one of us, the creatives, the technologists, the doers, the shakers, the makers.

Our challenge has always been how to connect people together to bring forward the best in each and every one of us under one vision and goal. It is something that we at Entain take incredibly seriously, bringing a mix of brilliant minds from all around the globe together to work on creating a new-age entertainment for our players.

One key way of managing this is to start with the 'Why'. Why does it matter, to us, to our players, why should people care, and why should you care? This is the foundation of connecting people through a vision and truly understanding where and what we want to achieve. Once this is aligned, everyone can start looking into ‘how’ we can achieve it. Each person utilises their perspective and expertise to create ideas and strategies to make a vision an actual reality.

As leaders, our job is similar to the conducting of an orchestra. Not to be able to play every instrument but to create an atmosphere and culture in which every team member can shine together to create a perfect symphony. To create a new generation of products and features that our players will love.

Our passion for delivering this is one of our cornerstones as a company. To truly innovate, we must first accept that what we have been doing is potentially wrong. There could be countless possibilities of how we can improve and do better, and that thought alone is exhilarating.

This drive is one of humanity's best aspects and potentially also one of our curses, an amalgamation of dopamine, serotonin and maybe a bit of soul.

As we continue to progress into a brave new world, our mission remains the same. We are Entain and what we do is for the love of entertainment.