Malta budget bets big on esports

The Government of Malta has presented the county’s 2019 budget, which suggests that the country is keen to promote the esports industry.

The budget indicates that Malta is making an “aggressive move to form a cluster for the esports world, which comprises competitive and professional video gaming.”

Malta does not have a booming esports industry but it continues to be a hub of blockchain industry and the gambling and iGaming industries.

The small island boasts a population of over 400,000 and perhaps more surprisingly has 159 players who have won money from esports competition – ranging from Kurt “Kurt0411” Fenech who has earned $37,500 from FIFA through to Haykel Mansour who has made $5.72 from Fortnite competition.

Recently, Fenech received a two-month ban from FIFA competition for “launching personal attacks” on people. In a statement, Fenech outlines his effective retirement from FIFA competition: “My time with competitive FIFA is over regardless of what happens, but I obviously won’t let them get away with this. I will be seeking legal advice and then proceed from there”.

The government of Malta is organizing the GO Malta Esports Festival on December 7–9 as part of the European Esports Gaming tournament. It will feature a €5,000 Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 tournament.

Source: EsportsInsider