David Casa, a Maltese Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from the Nationalist Party and part of the European People’s Party (EPP) group, has emphasized the importance of investing in human resources within the gambling industry rather than replacing workers with artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at the SiGMA World conference in Rome on Wednesday, Casa expressed concern about job losses attributed to AI, stating that these reports merit serious consideration.
As Europe’s longest-serving MEP, Casa acknowledged AI's potential benefits, including time savings and enhanced fraud detection, but cautioned against overlooking the human costs associated with Automation. “Behind each job, there is a person, a family, a rent payment and a plan for the future,” he remarked. He encouraged gambling operators to prioritize their workforce's development as a means to foster success.
Instead of merely cutting positions, Casa urged companies to evaluate how professional roles could evolve and to provide training to retain talented staff. He pointed out that experienced employees possess nuanced judgement that technology cannot replicate. “A tool may help you work faster, but an experienced team knows when something has gone wrong, when a player needs help and when a decision needs a human choice and a human voice,” he stated.
Casa believes that training should be integral to company strategies from the outset, with necessary time and financial resources allocated. “The gain from AI should reach the people whose work makes it possible,” he added.
These comments arrive amid significant job cuts within the sector. Recently, Flutter announced plans to eliminate up to 1,400 positions across its UK and Ireland divisions, affecting locations in Leeds, Dublin, and offshore centers in Porto and Cluj-Napoca, attributing the decision to an increase in remote gambling taxes in the UK.
Experts suggest that AI may also be driving these job reductions. Ollie Woodward, BDO’s corporate finance director, indicated that automation could be a contributing factor to the structural changes within the industry, particularly as operators increasingly incorporate AI in coding, customer support, and customer relationship management.
Additionally, Stockholm-based Cubeia has set the goal of utilizing AI-generated code in all new features and releases by August. Their COO, Stefan Grenstad, noted that the initiative originated from a salary review, which revealed that developers using AI significantly outperformed their peers. While emphasizing the necessity of adapting to AI, he did not explicitly frame it as a move to reduce headcount.
Several companies are making more pronounced shifts towards AI. In May, Gambling.com Group announced a restructuring aimed at a 25% workforce reduction, intending to save $13 million annually, which corresponds to about 150 positions. Incoming CEO Kevin McCrystle remarked that 80% of the company’s new code is now AI-generated, reflecting a significant pivot towards AI-centered operational structures designed to enhance cost-efficiency.
In the United States, former employees of FanDuel indicated that the combination of AI integration and market uncertainties contributed to layoffs at the operator earlier this year.
The impact of these changes is also felt in Malta, Casa's home country. A former iGaming designer recounted losing their job after training an AI system perceived capable of replacing half their team, although this figure has not been independently verified. However, GamingMalta contested claims of widespread layoffs due to AI, asserting that talent is being redeployed rather than eliminated.
The extent of AI’s influence remains difficult to quantify. According to a December 2025 Resume.org survey of 1,000 U.S. hiring managers across various industries, 59% indicated that they cite AI-related factors during layoffs or hiring freezes, as it resonates better with stakeholders than attributing decisions to financial issues; only 9% stated that AI had completely supplanted positions.
In addition to addressing AI concerns, Casa urged for greater harmonization across Europe’s fragmented gambling markets. He described the single market as a key asset for the continent, but noted that it often poses challenges for companies operating across borders.
Casa advocated for stronger shared standards within the gaming sector to enhance player protection and maintain the integrity of licensed operations. He underscored the importance of regulatory clarity, stating, “A licence must mean something,” stressing that consumers should be aware of who manages their funds and have access to fair complaint processes. Casa also insisted that licensed operators should not bear the compliance burden while illegal enterprises penetrate the same markets with minimal consequences for non-compliance.
He reiterated his opposition to a proposed EU-level gambling tax, warning that such a measure could deter investment, jeopardize jobs, and increase the appeal of illegal gambling operations. Casa’s statement did not address Article 56A of Malta’s Gaming Act, which is currently under European Commission scrutiny for infringement.
