Words by Andrew Milner // Photography by Silver Portugov
In a night dedicated to the recognition of individuals, the third annual iGaming Idol’s award took place on the 26th September amongst the glitz and glamour of a 520 strong crowd decked out in their finest ensembles of ball gowns and tuxedos, to find out who will be taking home one of the 22 awards and the honour of being crowned one of the Idols of 2018.
The iGaming Idol Gala and Awards night marked the final show of a busy year which has featured networking events and charity poker tournaments, at venues such as the President’s Palace in Valletta, Verdala Palace in Siggiewi, and two of Malta’s top casinos, Portomaso and Dragonara. This has enabled the team to raise over €20,000 for their chosen charity, the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation.
As the crowds gathered at the entrance to the InterContinental Arena Conference Centre, it was clear to see why the awards needed a change of venue; since the inaugural event in 2016 they have seen their star studded gathering increase from 250 attendees to over 500 as the industry has increasingly backed the concept, both in terms of supporters as well as veneration.
iGaming now contributes in excess of €1.2 billion towards the national GDP of Malta, employing over 12,000 people, and establishing the island as a major hub for technology and career development.
iGaming Idol, built on three pillars of the Recognition of Individuals, Entertainment and Charity, is a partnership started in late 2015 by key players in the Maltese entrepreneurial landscape including Michael Pedersen of LetsBet, Ramona Mifsud of BMIT, Jeff Buttigieg of RE/MAX Malta and Pierre Lindh and Martin Pettersson of Ambassador Events. An established brand which instils trust, they brought in a dedicated Project Manager, Gerda Kacileviciute, at the start of the year to oversee the day to day running of the organisation, and working closely with Ambassadör Events’ Alan Fitzpatrick who can take much of the credit for the high level of creativity and style their programme exudes.
Upon entering the lavishly transformed arena, the distinguished guests were treated to a fantastic light show featuring the blues and purples enshrined within the iGaming Idol branding, as they mingled in the open bar with their peers before the main festivities commenced.
Kicking off the evening was a speech from Michael Pedersen, Co-Founder of iGaming Idol, “it’s such a pleasure seeing the industry come together to recognise the top talent in our industry”, he said emphatically. “We are so thankful for the immense support from everyone and as our gala guests can see, we have already outgrown our new home. iGaming Idol could not have happened without our headline partner Videoslots.com, our Platinum sponsors GamingMalta, IGT, Microgaming and BetConstruct, our Silver sponsor StudioSeven, and the many other sponsors and contributors who have made this, as well as the industry at large, a benchmark in gaming excellence” Michael also took time to discuss a new initiative for 2018; HR Connect. “Apart from being a meeting place for HR professionals, we also want it to act as a place where governmental, educational and other commercial entities can come to us and say what are the main pressure elements within the iGaming industry today and how should we navigate the waters, so to speak?” On top of the ‘doing good’ and fitness initiatives already prevalent within HR procedures of many iGaming companies, mental health and well-being is now a key topic for HR Connect going forward.
There was more good news for many in attendance as Silvio Schembri, Junior Minister for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation announced that following a published consultation document from last March, conversation was sparked among stakeholders on the introduction of Distributed Ledger Technology and virtual currencies, and that Malta Gaming Authority will be launching a Sandbox for DLT in the imminent future. Mr Schembri has long been a supporter of iGaming Idol, and referred to the awards as a staple in the iGaming calendar, a sentiment shared by many present.
In his capacity as Charity Ambassador for the iGaming Idol brand Patrick J O’Brien spoke of the great lengths that have been taken to help out local community causes, which this year includes working specifically with people with special needs. Funds raised throughout the campaign will be handed to the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation, which the team have supported for a number of years. This was backed up by words from Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta, not present due to official duties, but who has allowed use of her stunning palaces and properties during the course of a number of fundraising activities.
“On a national level, the International Monetary Fund has described the gaming industry in Malta as exceptional, and today online gaming comprises 12% of the Maltese economy. Let me therefore encourage you, especially Maltese stakeholders in the sector, to continue investing your talents and energy to generate prosperity for the benefit of all,” Mrs Preca enthused. “I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and commend the commitment of this industry to Corporate Social Responsibility. Your generosity is contributing to provide much needed support to individuals and families facing sickness, precarity and vulnerability. The Malta Community Chest Fund continues to strive to raise the necessary funds to assist thousands of these individuals and families. Through your generosity the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation will continue to be a beacon of hope and support.”
Our hosts for the evening were the sassy and feisty Becky Liggero of Calvin Ayre, and iGaming Business’ Michael Caselli. Their electric and magnetic personalities ensured a high energy filled the room from the off, as they regaled on the advances made in iGaming in Malta during the last two decades, and the progression towards future technologies including blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
Notable accolades throughout the evening were taken home by Anthony Cabrera and Roger Admeus, winners of VIP Idol and Sales Idol of the year, and forming part of the five gongs granted to GiG, the most successful company in this year’s awards. Mr Green were snapping at their heels with four to their name, including Eoin Findlay for Affiliate Idol and Ludvig Philip for Manager Idol.
Rounding off the ceremony were four special categories which followed a different format to the main, and gave acknowledgment to CEO of the Year, Martin Carlesund of Evolution Gaming, Employer of the Year, Bethard, and GiG for Employer Branding of the Year. The 2018 Outstanding Achievement award went to Ivonne Montealegre, the well-known and much loved figurehead of The Malta Poker Festival, the island’s largest multi-day poker tournament set over 6 days including satellite events, high-roller No-Limit Hold Em and a guaranteed €500,000 first prize for the winner of the Grand Event.
“I was already so grateful to even be nominated on the Outstanding Contribution to the iGaming Industry category; that when my name was announced – I just couldn’t believe it…the validation of my work and career from my peers, colleagues, mentors, and overall people I admire, felt simply magical. The work of iGaming Idol is fantastic for our industry, and necessary, because it highlights those telling a story, contributing and innovating. Awards create brands, bring customers and overall create cohesion in our industry, making us all protagonists of a collective dream.”
The team behind iGaming Idol have already started working on their schedule for 2019, where we can expect even more elegant evenings at exquisite locations and celebrations of the magnificent people that make up the iGaming crowd in Malta.
To see more of this year’s awards night, and to keep up to date with the future events, visit www.iGamingidol.com