The Final Countdown
With just a couple of weeks to go until the winners of iGaming Idol are announced, we caught up with some of the adjudicators from across the various categories. We asked them why iGaming Idol is such as important event for Malta and the industry, as well as what they’ll be expecting from the nominees.
Compliance and Regulated Markets Idol (sponsored by MGA)
“iGaming Idol provides an innovative way to bring together the Gaming Business in Malta,” says Compliance and Regulated Markets Idol judge Robert Zammit, senior associate for WH Partners. “The initiative is a great opportunity to give recognition to those individuals who have excelled in their field of work.
“In the winning candidate I expect to see initiative in the field of compliance, and knowledge of the current regulatory matters. The candidates should show passion for compliance and capability of balancing the operator’s targets with compliance requirements,” he adds.
Design Idol
“Most often, companies that receive awards, go back to their employees and congratulate them for helping achieve this award,” says Design Idol adjudicator Andre Lentini, who is art director for NetEnt. “iGaming idol is all about the individual, being given well deserved recognition and being in the limelight for his/her best achievements within the iGaming industry.
“When it comes to winning this award, I am interested in seeing someone that has the passion and design flair to go the extra mile by looking at the big picture, whilst being innovative in the way they also present their ideas. I want to see someone that is ready to challenge the ‘standard’ layout; someone that has a desire to improve what already exists. Desire drives passion and passion always wants to make a change. – If you have that passion and desire for design, then stop reading this, we want to meet you!”
Finance Idol (Sponsored by BDO)
“Finance is a fundamental part of any iGaming company,” says category judge Robert De Marco, the CFO for Betit Group. “The Finance Idol winner will need to show that as a support service they offer an efficient and good service either to the industry as a provider or as a team within a company. They must not only show that they are technically competent but must also have a commercial approach.”
“In the Finance Idol winner I am looking for the ability to combine strong technical knowledge and analytical skills to fully understand the business, combined with creative thinking to identify potential opportunities,” adds Andrew Lenard, Whitehat CFO.
HR Idol
“Considering I have been working in HR and developing the Employer Branding concept for many years, this immediately engaged me to be part of this growing concept,” says EGIM/MGA project director Thomas Mahoney. “Such an initiative will definitely serve as an eye opener to what is out there as well as the standards being set by top HR functions and HR professionals.”
“I’ll be looking for a spark of understanding for how people work, as well as how to build and develop strategies to improve every employee’s work life into not just a job but a career,” says Hazel Ashley, HR manager for Videoslots.com. “Apply both to self develop and to show others on how to develop.”
Live Casino Dealer Idol (Sponsored by Evolution Gaming)
“iGaming Idol is giving a voice and exposure to those working behind the scenes and will help to push the industry forward,” says NetEnt Shift Manager Annabelle Galea. “I’ll be looking out for a passionate person who understands the values of a customer; a dealer who can interact well and act professionally all the time.”
Product Idol
“iGaming Idol is an excellent opportunity for the right talent to be promoted within the industry,” says Tipico product team leader Stefan Scerri. “It provides a forum that allows participants to showcase their skills and get recognised for their efforts.
“We’re looking for people with the right mindset, who manage to identify challenges and develop innovative solutions. They must possess a strong understanding in their respective iGaming field, together with a pragmatic approach to product design.”
Tech Idol (Sponsored by BMIT)
“iGaming Idol brings awareness to the whole industry and everyone working behind it,” says Highlight Media Group managing director Erik Gjerde.
“It’s a showcase for the local talent pool to see that iGaming is so much more than just some online gambling websites. We’re looking for smart and clever ideas on how to succeed in markets that are constantly changing. Not necessarily the biggest launch of a given feature from the largest company, but something that has made a difference, either for customers, internal staff or is simply brilliant.”
Judge Mark Galea, CTO for SuprNation, is mostly after analytical thinkers with a technical vision and a passion for software engineering. “The ideal candidate should be language and framework agnostic, and should focus on solving the current limitations using the best possible solution,” he says.
Finally, Gamesys’ head of production engineering Roberto Pullicino says: “A Tech Idol doesn’t necessarily need to be a nerdy geek. In my mind, a Tech Idol needs to have a good understanding of the business and be ready to apply a technical solution, even if it’s a tactical one, to augment and improve any business offering.”
Sign Up or Nominate
Are you thinking of signing up or nominating someone you think deserves the title of iGaming Idol of the Year? That’s great news! Find out everything you need to know, here. Good luck!