In this installment of SCCG Vignettes, Stephen Crystal takes us to Malta, the beating heart of the global iGaming industry. Speaking from the NEXT.io Conference, Stephen reflects on his 14-rear history of traveling to the island—attending events, forming partnerships, and gaining a deep understanding of the international online gambling ecosystem. Malta, with its forward-thinking regulatory framework and dense concentration of iGaming operators, has served as both a classroom and a proving ground in Stephen’s journey to becoming one of the industry’s foremost experts.
Over the years, Malta has become more than just a conference destination for Stephen—it’s been a launchpad for key deals, strategic insights, and long-term collaborations. In this vignette, he shares how face-to-face meetings with gaming clients, innovators, and regulators in Malta helped shape SCCG’s global advisory platform. From licensing conversations to M&A discussions and tech innovation showcases, his time in Malta underscores how geography, regulation, and community can converge to create a true hub for the future of gaming.
