Maltese MEP David Casa, representing the Nationalist Party within the EPP group, has emphasized the importance of investing in human resources at gambling operators rather than replacing staff with artificial intelligence. Speaking at the SiGMA World conference in Rome, Casa expressed concern over reports of job losses due to AI, arguing that such developments “deserve our attention.”
As Europe’s longest-serving member of the European Parliament, Casa acknowledged the benefits of AI in enhancing efficiency, spotting fraud, and assisting employees in their tasks. However, he cautioned that the human toll of automation must be recognized. “Behind each job, there is a person, a family, a rent payment and a plan for the future,” he stated. He urged industry leaders to prioritize their workforce, asserting, “My appeal to you is to invest in the people who helped build your success.”
Casa encouraged operators to consider how professional roles could evolve instead of simply eliminating positions. He advocated for training opportunities to support skilled workers before any layoffs occur, highlighting that experienced employees possess critical judgment 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 remarked.
With the gambling industry facing significant layoffs, Casa's comments resonate strongly amidst a backdrop of recent job cuts. Flutter, for instance, announced plans to eliminate up to 1,400 jobs across its UK&I division, which serves Leeds, Dublin, and offshore locations including Porto and Cluj-Napoca. The company attributed these reductions to the steep rise in remote gambling taxes in the UK.
However, analyses suggest that the integration of AI may also be driving these layoffs. BDO corporate finance director Ollie Woodward indicated to iGB that AI-driven automation could be a primary factor in the restructuring, which also coincides with tax pressures affecting profit margins. Operators are increasingly utilizing AI across various functions such as coding, customer support, and CRM systems.
Cubeia, a Stockholm-based platform provider, has set a target for fully integrating AI-generated code into all new features by August. Chief Operating Officer Stefan Grenstad pointed out that insights gained during a salary review highlighted how mid-level developers utilizing AI were outperforming their peers, achieving nearly 60% of the development results. While he framed the transition as essential for survival, he was careful to avoid framing it solely as a means to reduce headcount.
In May, Gambling.com Group, an affiliate and sports data company, announced a 25% reduction in its workforce, equating to around 150 employees, driven largely by AI-led restructuring aimed at annual savings of $13 million. Incoming CEO Kevin McCrystle noted that AI has come to underpin 80% of the company’s new code generation, indicating a significant strategic shift.
Notably, this trend is also impacting the job market in Malta, Casa’s home nation. A former iGaming designer reported losing their job after assisting in training an AI system believed to potentially displace a significant portion of their team. However, GamingMalta has refuted claims of widespread AI-related layoffs, asserting that talent is being redeployed rather than replaced.
The broader implications of AI on employment remain challenging to assess. A December 2025 Resume.org survey revealed that 59% of US hiring managers tended to cite AI as a reason for layoffs or hiring freezes to appease stakeholders, despite only 9% acknowledging that AI had entirely supplanted jobs.
In addition to AI concerns, Casa called for greater cohesion across Europe’s fragmented gambling markets. He asserted the need for common frameworks to ensure better protection for players and strengthen the single market. “Strong shared standards should help Europe and give players better protection across borders,” he commented.
Casa advocated for more trustworthy operations stating, “A licence must mean something,” and insisted that players deserve clear information regarding who manages their funds and a fair platform for complaints. He argued against placing the compliance burden solely on licensed operators while illegal entities operate with impunity. He urged for enhanced collaboration among authorities to clamp down on breaches of law.
Furthermore, Casa repeated his opposition to a proposed EU-level gambling tax, emphasizing that such a measure could deter investment, jeopardize jobs, and boost the appeal of illegal sites. He emphasized the potential harm of such a tax and did not comment on Article 56A of Malta’s Gaming Act, which is under scrutiny from the European Commission for infringement.
