
In recent years, the Maltese gambling industry has taken decisive steps to ensure that player protection remains a priority. One of the most significant tools in this endeavour is self-exclusion, a system designed to empower individuals to take control of their gambling habits. Now, with a new collaboration between the Responsible Gaming Foundation, Everymatrix and BetBlocker, this tool has reached a new milestone: introducing a Maltese language version. This achievement highlights not just the growing importance of self-exclusion but also the incredible potential of collaboration to drive innovation and positive change. For those who may not be familiar, self-exclusion is a voluntary measure that allows individuals to block themselves from accessing gambling services, whether online or land-based. It’s a lifeline for many who feel their gambling habits are likely to spiral out of control. In Malta, self-exclusion options are widely available. Players can exclude themselves from physical gambling establishments such as casinos and gambling parlours. For online gambling, Malta’s licence holders are required to provide self-exclusion tools, ensuring that players have a way to step back when necessary. But self-exclusion isn’t just about closing doors. It’s about creating opportunities for reflection, regaining control and cultivating a healthier relationship with gambling or, for some, stepping away from it altogether. During this year’s European Safer Gambling Week 2024, the RGF partnered with the UK-registered charity BetBlocker to launch a Maltese language version of its software. BetBlocker is widely known for its ability to restrict access to over 100,000 gambling sites and apps globally, giving users the power to block themselves with just a few clicks. The service is completely anonymous. The introduction of a Maltese version marks a significant step forward. Language is more than just words; it’s a connection to culture, identity and understanding. Offering the software in Maltese ensures that local users can navigate and use the tool comfortably, making it more widely accessible to those who need it most. It’s also a recognition of Malta’s unique linguistic and cultural context. By addressing players in their native tongue, this collaboration reinforces the message that support is available and that no one has to navigate the challenges of problem gambling alone. The success of this initiative underscores an important truth: collaboration is a powerful force for change. In the gaming industry, challenges like problem gambling diminish the positive economic benefits derived from it. No single organisation has all the answers. But when regulators, NGOs, operators and technology providers come together, they can achieve remarkable things. The partnership between the RGF and BetBlocker is a perfect example. The RGF brought its local expertise, understanding of the Maltese context and connections to key stakeholders. BetBlocker, on the other hand, provided the technology and global reach needed to expand self-exclusion efforts. Together, they created something greater than either could have achieved alone. This collaboration also sets a strong example for the wider industry. It shows how different players in the gaming world can work together, not as competitors, but as partners in promoting safer gambling. Problem gambling doesn’t just affect individuals; it impacts families, workplaces and communities. For those who struggle with gambling addiction, self-exclusion tools can be an inflection point, a moment where they take a stand for their well-being and future. But tools like BetBlocker only work when they’re accessible, user-friendly and strongly supported by the industry itself. That’s why the Maltese language version is so important. It’s a step towards inclusivity, ensuring that no one is left behind in the effort to promote safe and responsible gambling. While the launch of BetBlocker’s Maltese language version is a landmark in itself, it’s just the start. There’s still work to be done to ensure that self-exclusion tools are widely known, easily accessible, and supported by adequate education and outreach. Ultimately, the success of self-exclusion and other responsible gaming measures depends on everyone: regulators, operators, NGOs and players themselves. It’s a shared responsibility and the rewards of a safer, more sustainable gaming environment benefit us all. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.
Wood Packaging Market Growth and Future Outlook Industry Insights: Market Size, Share, and Growth Forecast 2024 - 2031Nothing is off limits in Netflix’s new Aaron Rodgers documentary
Yearender 2024: Check Top Ranked Indian Institutes Across Key Domains As Per NIRF RankingsThere’s a new drink in town called the San Jose Sour, that is actually a delicious treat just in time for the holiday season. Selena Harkey, Vine Hospitality’s director of wine and spirits, crafted this cocktail — a Silicon Valley take on the popular New York Sour — incorporating a pair of San Jose-based ingredients: 10th Street Distillery’s award-winning “Dragon” whiskey and Alamitos Vineyards’ Hawk Eye Syrah. Harkey joined 10th Street Distillery owner Virag Saskena and Alamitos Vineyard owner Shaun Coleman at Downtown Ice last week to help launch the drink. Both Saskena and Coleman are former tech guys who started second careers in the wine and spirits, though in Coleman’s case, it’s also a family legacy: His grandfather, John Vargas, an immigrant from the Azores, was a winemaker for Old Almaden Winery, not far from the current location of Alamitos Vineyard in San Jose. The 10th Street whiskey is strong, but the cocktail I had at Rollati Ristorante this week was well-balanced with the float of red wine providing a good accent flavor and an egg white froth adding lightness. Do I wish San Jose could celebrate the holidays with an original cocktail instead of a knockoff? Sure, but this is Silicon Valley, where we discovered that a PC clone could be just as good — if not better — than the original IBM product. The drink’s release is part of the city’s “A Very San Jose Holiday” push to spur retail shopping in the city. The San Jose Sour is available at all of Vine Hospitality’s San Jose locations: Left Bank Brasserie, LB Steak and Meso Mediterranean at Santana Row and Rollati Ristorante in downtown San Jose. HOLIDAY SPIRITS: Downtown San Jose’s two Miracle pop-up bars have returned for the season at Paper Plane and Miniboss, along with the tiki-themed Sippin’ Santa at 55 South, but it’s good to see some other bars and restaurants getting into holiday themes with their cocktail lists. O’Flaherty’s in San Pedro Square is paying homage to the 1990 Christmas movie “Home Alone,” with drinks like Kevin’s Hot Cup of Joe, the Wet Bandit and Marv’s Margarita. Dr. Funk Rum House, also in San Pedro Square, is having more of a grinchy takeover with cocktails including the Cindy Lou-Apple, the Mean One and, of course, The Grinch. AJI Robata and Bar at the Signia by Hilton has a few festive offerings as well, like the Whiskey Wonderland and Santa’s Helper. And Haberdasher on South First and San Salvador streets has holiday offerings including the gin-based Holly Berry and bourbon-based Letter to Santa, not to mention an old school favorite, Hot Buttered Rum. GETTING LIT: The 12th annual Local Lit authors fair is happening Saturday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Main Library in downtown San Jose. Nearly a dozen local authors will be on hand to share their experiences, answer questions and sell their books at the event, which is a collaboration between the San Jose Public Library and the SJSU King Library. You can check out the lineup at sjpl.org/local-lit . Meanwhile, another acclaimed Bay Area author — Oakland resident Tommy Orange — will be in San Jose on Thursday for a reading from his new novel, “Wandering Stars,” a follow-up to the popular and powerful “There There,” which was a Silicon Valley Reads selection in 2023. Orange’s appearance at the Hammer Theatre for San Jose State’s Center for Literary Arts is already sold-out, but you can still get tickets for the livestream at www.hammertheatre.com/events-list . MAYOR OF TEAL TOWN: San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan dropped the ceremonial first puck at the Sharks game against Seattle at SAP Center last Friday, and he might be giving SJ Sharkie a run for his money as a new mascot. The Sharks won that game 8-5 (and went on to beat Seattle the next night, too), so maybe the team needs to have Mayor Matt drop the puck before every home game.