First ESG Track Debuts at NEXT.io Valletta Conference

Inaugural Sustainability Session

The annual NEXT.io Valletta conference introduced its first dedicated ESG track this year at the Mediterranean Conference Center. The program focused on environmental, social, and governance standards within the iGaming sector.

Industry Perspectives on Governance and Strategy

The schedule began at 11:00 in the David Bruce Hall with opening remarks from Jonna Danlund, Head of Sustainability at Betsson Group. Russell Mifsud, Gaming Lead and Director at KPMG, presented the first session on integrating ESG frameworks into online gambling operations. His address covered the impact of sustainability metrics on investor relations, market performance, and ethical governance, alongside the operational requirements for maintaining social responsibility standards. Danlund returned to discuss organizational implementation of sustainability initiatives, using Betsson Group’s recognized ESG strategy as a reference point. She outlined methods for securing cross-departmental alignment and initiating long-term sustainability programs.

Workforce Expectations and Player Safety

Lena Nordin, Chief Human Resources Officer at Betsson Group, provided an overview of employee expectations regarding corporate responsibility. Her segment highlighted the role of diversity and inclusion in long-term retention, alongside the requirement for staff to maintain industry knowledge and support continuous innovation. The final session examined cross-functional collaboration for player protection. Eduards Jakubovs, Head of Responsible Gaming, and Viktorija Nikiforova, Head of Customer Service, discussed coordinated approaches to responsible play across different teams and regions. The sustainability track was documented by iGEN with production support from 1GameChanger Studio. NEXT.io Valletta continues to operate as a recurring industry gathering, drawing domestic and international attendees to the Maltese capital.