Around 120 people are facing redundancy after gambling operator Aristocrat Interactive announced it's shutting down all of its white-label operations worldwide. The company has decided the business model isn't central to its future plans, and wants to keep its workforce concentrated around its main operations instead [1].

White-labelling – where one company creates a product that another rebrands and sells under its own name – has been standard practice in online gambling for years. Malta's made itself attractive to these operators by offering licenses through the Malta Gaming Authority, becoming something of a hub for the sector [1].

The exit takes effect at the end of June, meaning all Maltese staff employed by Aristocrat will be let go. According to Ambra Battiston, the company's anti-money laundering manager, that's approximately 120 workers [1].

Industry Says Jobs Won't Be Hard to Fill

The news has prompted swift reassurance from those invested in keeping Malta's gambling sector strong. GamingMalta – a foundation set up jointly by the government and the MGA to promote the island as an online gambling hub – moved quickly to downplay the impact [1].

"We have confirmation of approximately 1,200 open vacancies with Malta Gaming Authority licensees, besides additional openings with other ancillary companies not operating with an MGA license," the foundation said [1].

That availability, GamingMalta argues, shows just how robust Malta's online gambling sector really is. The foundation pointed to the "mature regulatory framework under the Malta Gaming Authority and a highly skilled workforce" as reasons the industry remains "one of the country's strongest and most resilient economic pillars" [1].

Battiston herself echoed that sentiment, stressing that the redundant workers bring valuable knowledge and experience that other firms would be keen to tap into [1].

GamingMalta said it's committed to supporting those affected and is encouraging companies looking for experienced workers to get in touch [1].