Betsson’s Málaga tech hub: Malta remains key, no job losses

Betsson has sought to reassure Malta’s iGaming community that its expansion into Málaga will not come at the expense of local operations.

The company has leased a 3,000 square metre office in the Spanish city to serve as an additional technology hub.

“The expansion will not negatively impact Betsson’s operations, headcount or presence in Malta,” Word has it that Málaga is being developed to broaden access to international talent, particularly in gaming development, native applications and artificial intelligence.

The office is not intended to replace or relocate existing functions from Malta. “Malta remains a key operational and technology centre for Betsson Group, where we have built a significant presence and highly skilled team over the past two decades,” the spokesperson added.

When announcing the expansion last year, Betsson Operations CEO Jesper Svensson drew a direct comparison between the two locations.

“Málaga shares many qualities with Malta, where we have built a world-class tech team over the past 20 years,” Svensson said.

He described Málaga as an international, dynamic city with strong connections to Betsson’s other offices, and noted that Spain’s links to Latin America and favourable visa arrangements make it attractive for skilled professionals looking to relocate.

For Malta’s iGaming sector, the reassurance is significant. Betsson is one of the largest employers in the local industry, and any signal of downsizing would have sent ripples through the talent market.

Yet the expansion also highlights the growing competition for tech talent. Málaga offers many of the same qualities that have kept Betsson anchored in Malta, but with different visa and cost dynamics.

The new office is expected to open later this year. Betsson already has employees based in Málaga and plans to continue building its team there.

The question for Malta’s iGaming ecosystem is whether other operators will follow Betsson’s dual-hub model, or whether the island can maintain its edge as the primary base for international talent and operations.