Malta Launches National Charter to Strengthen the Status of Artists

Oct 24 2024

The Minister for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, announced the launch of the National Charter for the Status of the Artist during the third edition of the State of the Arts – Malta’s National Symposium.

This Charter aims to provide a dynamic framework of reference for any legislation, policy, or initiative that has a direct or indirect impact on the cultural and creative sectors. It outlines the social, economic, and legal status of Maltese artists, while also identifying the legislative standards and actions needed to protect and strengthen their position in the Maltese Islands.

Minister Bonnici expressed his satisfaction with the symposium, now in its third year, noting that it has become a cornerstone in shaping Malta’s creative sectors. He emphasized that this national event plays a key role in nurturing future generations of artists, leaving a lasting legacy on the cultural scene.

He explained that the launch of the National Charter is a priority in the Arts Council Malta’s strategy, inspired by UNESCO’s Recommendations on the Status of Artists. It supports and promotes working conditions where artists and creative practitioners can thrive.

Executive Chairman of Arts Council Malta, Albert Marshall, highlighted the importance of fostering intersectoral collaboration and meaningful dialogue with stakeholders to ensure that policies reflect the needs of those directly and indirectly involved in the creative sectors.

#MaltaDaily

Prime Minister Robert Abela Hits Gym For “Crazy Idea Pitch”

Oct 24 2024

Prime Minister Robert Abela has teamed up with the local fitness community Bulletproof for a surprising collaboration and an unconventional gym session.

Abela met with Scott and Adam from Bulletproof at the iconic Maltese gym, Bertu’s, where they appeared to focus on a chest workout—one that surely provided the Prime Minister with a solid pump.

The unexpected partnership was announced by Bulletproof yesterday, revealing that the Prime Minister had invited them to “pitch a crazy idea that could go down in history.”

The gym session was just part of the collaboration, as Scott and Adam from Bulletproof also visited Abela’s office for a meeting ahead of what they’re calling a game-changing announcement.

This partnership has sparked curiosity, with many eagerly awaiting further details on what this ambitious collaboration could entail.

#MaltaDaily

IZI Finance plc Registers Record Gross Gaming Revenue Of €85.6M

Oct 24 2024

October 23rd, 2024, through a statutory company announcement, the Board of Directors of IZI Finance plc, announced the audited financial results of the Group for FY2024, highlighting a year of remarkable financial performance and strategic success, across all its business activities.

The Group, which is the principal land-based gaming operator in Malta operating the National Lottery and the Dragonara Casino amongst other activities, delivered exceptional growth in all key financial metrics, reinforcing its leading position in the market. Driven by a focus on innovation and operational excellence, the Group has achieved significant milestones, including a 23% increase in turnover (FY2024: €569 Million), 24% increase in player winnings (FY2024: €481 Million) and a 25% increase in Gross Gaming Revenue (FY2024: €86.5 Million).

The focus on revenue growth was complemented by a clear drive to optimise costs and improve margins, leading to a record EBITDA of €23.2 Million an increase of 68.2% on the previous year. This strong performance is a testament to the Group’s commitment to delivering value to its diverse customer base while maintaining a sharp focus on market trends and evolving consumer needs.

The results attained by the Group are underpinned by the strengthening of its corporate executive team, which has been instrumental in enhancing key strategic initiatives, such as reinforcing the Responsible Gaming framework and implementing a comprehensive Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy. This approach ensures that IZI Group not only excels financially but also upholds its commitment to ethical business practices, sustainability, and social responsibility, crystallised by the attainment of the Responsible Gaming (RG) certification from the World Lottery Association (WLA) and European Lotteries (EL) and the recent award of the prestigious ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification highlighting the company’s and Group’s commitment to operational excellence and information security.

Commenting on the results of IZI Group, Founder and Group CEO Johann Schembri was very positive about the achievements of the past year and the future outlook of the Group. “FY2024 has been a landmark year for IZI Group. Our customer-centric strategy, coupled with an unwavering focus on innovation, has enabled us to deliver exceptional results. By closely adapting to local market trends and the needs of our diverse customer base, we have consistently added value across all gaming product verticals.

We remain dedicated to our core values of innovation, responsibility, and sustainability, confident that this foundation will support further growth in the years to come. Our sights are now set on the international replication of our local success story setting out the next milestone we will be aspiring for.”

The IZI Group is now planning to pursue and integrate international business development opportunities within its core strategy. The Group is looking forward to leveraging its extensive experience and portfolio in the local gaming market and its valuable established relationships in the industry, to replicate the local business models on developing international opportunities.

For more information on IZI Group’s FY2024 financial performance, please visit this link.

#MaltaDaily

San Gwann Project Vjal ir-Rihan: Revised Towards More Sustainability

Oct 24 2024

During this week’s press briefing, Environment Minister Miriam Dalli provided an update on the San Gwann project, confirming that significant changes had been made to the original plans. The planned excavation will now be avoided, primarily due to environmental concerns. Dalli explained that this decision aims to reduce construction waste and minimise disruption and frustration for nearby residents.

The first phase of the project, which involves creating a garden with an underground car park underneath it, next to San Gwann parish church, is currently under review by the Planning Authority. Meanwhile, traffic studies are being conducted to determine how to reroute traffic without causing bottlenecks elsewhere. These studies are crucial to ensuring the project doesn’t lead to further traffic issues in the locality.

Architect Beverley Costa, leading the project, stated that while the plans have shifted, the core concept of reducing car dependency remains. Costa acknowledged that the revised design is ambitious but emphasised that it will support alternative mobility and ensure public transport retains access to the area.

The first phase is expected to begin in 2025, depending on when the necessary permits are approved, and will take around two to three years to complete. The second phase is planned to begin almost simultaneously. Minister Dalli expressed confidence that the project would be in a “very advanced” stage by the next general election.

Dalli also shared her personal vision for these projects, expressing her hope to see children playing in the streets again, as she did when she was young.

This project is part of a broader initiative led by Project Green, which is working on 118 environmental projects across Malta, including open spaces, valleys, and pedestrian zones. In 2024 alone, the organisation is expected to complete 19 projects, including 9 new open spaces and 11 valleys, all aimed at creating sustainable, accessible spaces for communities and promoting greener urban environments.

#MaltaDaily