iGaming Hubs Face Redundancy Wave as Industry Transforms

Redundancies are sweeping through Europe’s key iGaming hubs, with Gibraltar and Malta among the hardest hit as the industry adjusts to post-pandemic realities, regulatory pressures, and technological shifts.

At the iGaming NEXT conference in Valletta this May, the recruitment stand of TalentBet, a Malta-based agency, saw an unusual surge — not from employers but from jobseekers. “A lot of people came to us as candidates,” said TalentBet CEO Senette Lam, noting some had recently been laid off from local firms like S-Tech. “They were good quality candidates with plenty of experience, but they were back on the market.”

Industry-wide, job cuts appear to be accelerating. A glance at LinkedIn reveals a growing number of iGaming professionals now listing themselves as “open to work.” While layoffs have occurred consistently since COVID-19, recruiters report a more pronounced uptick in 2025.

“There are definitely a lot of redundancies at the moment,” said Jennifer Innes, CEO of UK-based recruitment firm BettingJobs. “It’s not just one company or market — it’s across the board.”

Local Impacts, Global Drivers

In compact, offshore hubs like Malta and Gibraltar, job losses have a magnified effect. At Malta-based Catena Media, another 50 roles were cut this year, following a 40% drop in Q1 profits. This comes after 29 layoffs in late 2024, despite earlier assurances from CEO Manuel Stan that no further cuts were planned.

The trend is mirrored in Gibraltar. Gambling Commissioner Andrew Lyman acknowledged a spate of layoffs last year, including at major operators like William Hill, Entain, and Lottoland. However, recruiters caution that the local job market is no longer as forgiving as it once was.

Innes attributes this to a geographic reshaping of the iGaming industry. “The importance of Malta and Gibraltar is being diluted,” she said, pointing to the rise of other markets such as Bulgaria, Poland, and Cyprus — as well as talent relocations from Ukraine and Russia due to the war. This fragmentation is forcing displaced workers to broaden their job searches, often across borders. The current wave of redundancies is not necessarily a sign of industry decline. Experts see it as a market correction after the aggressive hiring spree during the pandemic-era digital boom.

“The pandemic boosted our business and we continued to hire at full pelt,” Bally’s CEO Lee Fenton said in a 2023 earnings call. “I now can see that we may have over-hired.” Lam agrees: “Companies scaled up very fast. Once things settled, they realised they didn’t need all those people.”

Compounding the issue is industry consolidation. Mergers and acquisitions often lead to job overlaps and cost-cutting. When 888 acquired William Hill’s non-U.S. assets in 2022, redundancies soon followed. Similar restructuring was seen at Hero Gaming in Malta and Entain in Gibraltar.

Regulatory and Technological Shifts

Beyond market correction and M&A activity, other pressures are reshaping iGaming employment. Emerging regulatory frameworks in key markets such as Brazil and the Netherlands now require staff to be locally based, prompting companies to relocate operations away from traditional offshore jurisdictions.

Simultaneously, the rise of artificial intelligence is beginning to automate customer-facing roles, particularly in fraud and payments. “There have been a few companies recently that have announced redundancies because they’re replacing certain positions with AI,” said Innes. Though currently affecting junior roles, AI-driven changes are expected to grow.

Still, some recruiters are optimistic about new opportunities. “There will be a need for project managers who can help implement AI,” Innes noted.

Despite the shake-ups, both Lam and Innes agree that the iGaming job market remains active. “There’s always a need for people with experience,” said Lam, noting that most candidates in Malta find new roles within a month. Junior positions may be filled in days. Innes cautions against reading too much into LinkedIn’s visible signs of distress. “There are roles out there,” she said. “Strong candidates with solid experience are still being hired.”

However, geography matters. BettingJobs reported zero placements in Gibraltar in Q1 2025, compared to an uptick in Malta. Innes attributes this to Brexit-related challenges among highly regulated UK-facing operators based on the Rock.

Yes, there have been redundancies, but there is also the emergence of new technologies, of new iGaming hubs. And if you’re willing to embrace that, then the gaming industry is going to embrace you back.

A Workforce in Transition

For many, redundancy is prompting a reevaluation. Lam said more candidates are prioritizing remote or hybrid roles, which now make up the majority of TalentBet’s placements. Yet, companies insisting on a return to the office may struggle to attract top talent.

“We tell them honestly — you’re going to miss out on good people,” Lam said. Even as the industry undergoes rapid change, recruiters encourage jobseekers to stay flexible and focused.

“The industry is dynamic, entrepreneurial, and still full of opportunity,” Innes said. “Yes, there have been redundancies, but there are also new hubs, new technologies, and new roles. If you’re willing to adapt, the sector will adapt with you.”