Sports betting giant Bet365 has played down a report of a major relocation of staff to Malta from Gibraltar.
An article in the Sunday Times of Malta suggested that the company would move 1,000 employees across to the country from its current Gibraltar base following on from Brexit next year.
Bet365 holds a Class II sports betting licence from the Malta Gaming Authority and did confirm that it is increasing its operations there, but described the figures used in the piece as “wholly inaccurate”.
“Due to regulatory developments in various jurisdictions and the evolving global regulatory environment for online betting and gaming, we have decided to increase our existing presence in Malta, which provides a mature and robust regulatory environment for the industry,” a spokesman for Bet365 told the Gibraltar Chronicle.
“We are taking additional property space and looking to recruit additional personnel in Malta to support our online operations and will also be expanding our infrastructure capabilities there.
“It should be noted however, that the number of people reported as being relocated to Malta are wholly inaccurate.
“Notwithstanding these plans for Malta, we can confirm that we will be retaining our strong presence in, and commitment to, Gibraltar where our main operational hub is based and will continue to maintain our existing dual regulatory and licensing strategy and presence.”
The Sunday Times report stated that Bet365 had already signed a promise of sale deal to acquire premises in Tigné to serve as the company’s hub of operations.
