Government to create academy for betting

Jose Herrera visits Tipico Betting Company • Video by Ray Attard

Parliamentary Secretary for Economic Growth Jose Herrera today announced that government was considering the possibility of setting up an academy for betting.

"We're going to try and create a gaming academy in Malta. A lot of young Maltese people are very attracted to the remote gaming industry but we dont yet offer a university course that caters specifically for gaming."

Herrera was speaking during a visit to the offices of German betting company Tipico in St Julian’s.

"Malta is internationally established in the gaming industry and the industry makes up around 12% of GDP. For this reason it should also be established academically."

While noting that many foreigners are employed in the industry and integrating in Maltese society, Herrera said that he would like to see more Maltese people employed in betting.

"The government is very protective of this industry and looks forward to seeing it expand," he added.

Tipico was established in 2004 and since then it has expanded and now has over 150 offices in Germany and elsewhere.

"We currently employ 160 people in Malta but we plan to have over 200 working here by next year," Tipico's CEO Jan Bolz said.