Tech giant Betsson establishes a new technological center in Malaga
Betsson Group, a leading online gambling company, has announced the establishment of a new tech hub in Málaga, Spain, as part of its wider growth agenda. The decision to invest in Málaga was driven by several key factors that make the city an ideal location for expansion.
Málaga's Emergence as a Tech Hub
Once known mainly for tourism, Málaga has rapidly evolved into a dynamic technology ecosystem. With over 600 IT companies and more than 16,000 professionals, it has become a legitimate competitor to traditional European tech hubs [1].
Robust Infrastructure and Ecosystem
The city's Parque Tecnológico de Andalucía (Málaga TechPark) hosts over 700 companies and 25,000 professionals, attracting major global technology firms such as Oracle, Vodafone, Ericsson, Huawei, and Google's Cybersecurity Center of Excellence. This robust infrastructure and ecosystem provide a solid foundation for Betsson's growth and innovation goals, particularly in gaming development, native app development, and AI [1].
Talent Pool and Recruitment Opportunities
Málaga offers a skilled local workforce and access to international talent, including professionals from Latin America—facilitated by Spain's cultural ties and lenient visa policies. This diversity will enable Betsson to build a capable team for its new tech hub [2][3].
Strategic Geographic and Cultural Fit
Málaga's international, dynamic character, good connectivity to other Betsson offices, and cultural similarities to other successful hubs like Malta align well with Betsson’s operational needs and expansion strategy [3].
Government Support
The Spanish government’s significant investment in digital transformation, including €20 billion in deeptech and audiovisual sectors through initiatives like SETT, creates a favorable environment with incentives and accelerates technology-sector growth [1].
With these factors in mind, Jesper Svensson, CEO of Betsson Operations, considers Málaga an ideal location for expansion. Hiring for the new office is already in progress, with roles open for backend and frontend developers, QA engineers, and AI/machine learning specialists. The main tech stack will include .NET for backend, and Kotlin and Swift for mobile app development.
The Malaga tech hub will be a significant contributor to Betsson's technological capacity, enhancing cross-border collaboration within the group and facilitating interconnected operations with global offices. As part of Betsson's broader strategy of investing in emerging European tech hubs, the Malaga hub will strengthen Betsson's position in areas like game development, native mobile applications, and artificial intelligence.
With over 2,500 employees across 21 countries, Betsson's focus on employee satisfaction is a key factor in its expansion. Its award-winning workplace culture, expected to draw top-tier talent, is a testament to this commitment. The Malaga tech hub is a key milestone in Betsson Group's global growth strategy, signalling a continued commitment to scaling its tech team and driving innovation in the online gambling industry.
[1] Málaga, Spain: A New Tech Hub for Betsson Group. (2022). Retrieved 25 April 2023, from https://www.betssongroup.com/news/malaga-spain-new-tech-hub-for-betsson-group/
[2] Betsson Group Expands to Málaga, Spain. (2022). Retrieved 25 April 2023, from https://www.techmalaga.com/news/betsson-group-expands-to-malaga-spain/
[3] Why Málaga, Spain? Betsson Group's New Tech Hub. (2022). Retrieved 25 April 2023, from https://www.malagatechnews.com/2022/09/why-malaga-spain-betssons-new-tech-hub/
The new tech hub established by Betsson Group in Málaga, Spain is situated in a city that has transformed into a thriving technology ecosystem, home to over 600 IT companies and more than 16,000 professionals. This tech hub will leverage the robust infrastructure and ecosystem provided by the Parque Tecnológico de Andalucía, where major global technology firms like Oracle, Vodafone, Ericsson, Huawei, and Google's Cybersecurity Center of Excellence are also present.
As part of its growth and innovation goals, particularly in gaming development, native app development, and AI, Betsson Group will tap into Málaga's skilled local workforce and international talent pool, including professionals from Latin America, to staff its new office. This diversified team will contribute to Betsson's technological capacity, enhancing cross-border collaboration within the group and facilitating interconnected operations with its global offices.
