LeoVegas secured a partnership with Valletta Football Club yesterday. The operator now holds the title of Exclusive Online Gaming Partner for the Maltese side.
Valletta FC ranks among Malta’s most successful football clubs. LeoVegas Group CFO Stefan Nelson announced the deal. MGM Resorts owns LeoVegas after buying the company for $607 million back in 2022.
The partnership joins two organisations that both use lion imagery in their branding. Nelson emphasised this connection when discussing the agreement.
Why This Deal Fits LeoVegas’ Malta Strategy
LeoVegas has deep Malta connections. Nelson said the company has “considered itself a partly Maltese company almost since its inception.”
The partnership creates chances for fans and employees in Malta’s capital. Nelson told reporters that “when two strong lions join forces, great things can happen.”
But there’s a practical angle too. Malta hosts many gaming companies, and LeoVegas wants stronger local visibility. The football partnership gives the operator a presence in the country’s most popular sport.
This deal strengthens LeoVegas’ position in its longtime operational base. Many of the company’s key functions operate from Malta.
What the Partnership Includes
LeoVegas branding will appear on Valletta FC’s shirt sleeves starting immediately. The operator’s logo also goes up around the club’s training facilities.
Fan engagement programs form a key part of the agreement. LeoVegas plans to create experiences in Valletta for both employees and supporters.
The companies didn’t share specific details about these initiatives yet. However, the deal extends beyond basic sponsorship. It includes collaboration on multiple fan-focused projects throughout the partnership term.
How This Fits Recent Company Changes
LeoVegas just wrapped a major transition year. The operator opened a UK office in Leeds during Q2 2025.
Then leadership shifted. CCO Chris Welch left the company. Shortly after, co-founder and CEO Gustaf Hagman departed too.
Mattias Wedar took over as the new CEO. The Valletta FC deal represents one of the first major partnerships under this new leadership structure.
LeoVegas also extended its partnership with Kambi recently. The company launched a proprietary sportsbook in Denmark. And Sam Leggott joined as Director of Gaming Operations last month.
These changes show LeoVegas pushing into new markets while strengthening its Malta base. The football partnership gives the operator local sports visibility at a time when it’s expanding across Europe. It also reinforces the company’s Malta identity after a year of significant internal restructuring.
