Watch: 56Bit CEO charts the evolution of the iGaming industry
Patrick Camilleri, co-founder and CEO of cloud infrastructure specialist 56Bit, offered compelling insights into the iGaming sector’s transformation during a recent SiGMA TV interview at the SiGMA Asia Summit in Manila. Speaking to an audience representing 13,000 delegates who gathered for the industry’s premier networking and knowledge-sharing event, The Malta-based executive, who brings over 18 years of technical expertise to the industry, discussed his company’s role in supporting operators through secure AWS cloud hosting solutions while addressing the mounting regulatory and ethical standards reshaping modern iGaming.
Journey of iGaming
Reflecting on 56Bit’s six-year journey within the industry, Camilleri observed a marked shift in priorities and operational focus. “I remember when the industry was all about parties and all about getting the product out there, but now it’s become a lot more globalised,” he explained during the interview. This evolution has brought both opportunities and challenges, particularly in navigating the complex web of international regulations.
The regulatory landscape now demands that operators maintain robust foundational systems across multiple jurisdictions. “You’ve got so many different legislations around the world, and you have to, from a technology point of view, be sure that you cover them wherever you’re operating,” Camilleri noted. However, he emphasised that once companies establish solid security and compliance frameworks, adapting to different regional requirements becomes more manageable.
Technological advancements have accelerated alongside regulatory maturation, with artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and virtual reality gradually finding their place within the industry ecosystem. Camilleri acknowledged that while these technologies are “slowly becoming a thing,” the iGaming sector often finds itself “at the forefront of these things more than maybe other industries.”
Scaling secure solutions
56Bit’s approach centres on providing comprehensive AWS cloud hosting expertise, allowing clients to concentrate on their core competencies rather than infrastructure management. “We are cloud hosting experts. Our expertise is on AWS, and basically, we give a foundational level of good hosting best practices with security, scalability, and all that to allow our customers to put their software on top,” Camilleri explained.
This strategy addresses a critical industry need, as many operators prefer to avoid maintaining full DevOps teams while ensuring their platforms meet stringent security requirements. For Camilleri, security represents a non-negotiable priority: “If you ever come to a decision point of do I take a shortcut and reduce security or do I do the opposite, the answer should always be security.”
The importance extends beyond regulatory compliance to encompass moral responsibility regarding data protection. “If someone is trusting their data and quite sensitive data on your platform, you have a bit of a moral obligation to make sure it’s secure, but it’s also well handled,” he emphasised.
Looking ahead
56Bit’s recent acquisition by the Malta-based public group BMT, which holds a 51% stake, positions the company for significant expansion. The deal, which became public shortly before the interview, followed a year of negotiations and represents a strategic partnership designed to maintain 56Bit’s independence while facilitating growth.
For Camilleri, the BMT partnership opens doors to scale 56Bit’s operations whilst maintaining focus on the secure implementation of emerging technologies such as AI, VR, and cryptocurrency. “We want to scale, and we would like to make sure that our systems are more well-known and ultimately help improve that security, that scalability,” he said during the interview.
The 56Bit chief executive sees this partnership as crucial for the company’s goal of supporting the industry’s continued development. “For me, keeping on maturing the industry whilst also making sure that the new technologies, the VR, the AI, the crypto, is done in a secure manner but also in an innovative manner that can help the industry grow,” Camilleri explained.
This approach reflects how far iGaming has travelled from its early days when operators focused primarily on getting products to market quickly. Today’s landscape demands that companies like 56Bit provide the technical backbone that allows operators to innovate safely within an increasingly complex regulatory environment. The company’s cloud infrastructure expertise becomes particularly valuable as the sector grapples with new technological possibilities while maintaining the security standards that modern iGaming demands.
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