Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/829524
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 28 MAY 2017 X Gaming Japanese brand Ganapati sets up shop in Malta GANAPATI Malta Limited has recently been set up in Malta, as part of the Ga- napati Group of Companies. MaltaToday asks director Richard Hogg about the company and its reasons for selecting Malta as an operational hub. "I have been doing business in Malta since 2007 when I got my first gaming licences in a record three months. Over the years, Malta has retained its identity as a hub and go-to place for iGaming and thus it was an easy decision to make to set up here for Ganapati. The MGA made us feel very welcome and assured us of their support. It also recognised it needed to look at changing the way its licences were issued which gave us the comfort we needed to apply for a Class 4 licence. Since Ganapati's potential clients are iGaming operators, Malta provides the business with the ideal networking and business development environment. Everything is nearby so it is easy to ac- complish a lot in a short period of time. Everyone speaks English and there is an abundance of qualified individuals all eager to succeed in this industry. With regards to Ganapati, our herit- age is all about Japan. Japanese culture is taking the world by storm right now. Whether it be runaway successes like the Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen single, Japanese-inspired Hollywood releases like Ghost In The Shell or Cherry Blossom festivals cropping up everywhere around the world from London to LA. In the run up to Japan 2020 and other high profile events such as the 2019 rugby world cup in Japan, we can expect the interest in Japanese culture and brands to continue to grow. For Japanese businesses this creates an exciting opportunity to reach a global audience. The Japanese government is capitalising on this enthusiasm for all things Japan with its Cool Japan initiative. This will further strengthen the ties between Japan and other countries. As a Cool Japan partner, Ganapati is proud to support this programme to promote the very best of Japanese thinking, ideas and technology to a global audience. We, at Ganapati Plc, are fortunate to work with some of the most dynamic and creative minds in different sectors, all with a deep personal connection to Japan, including Emmy-award winning writers, Hollywood animation producers and top journalistic talent. Whilst Ganapati's heritage is from Japan and our games and ideas are Japanese- themed, it is a misconception to think we are targeting the Asian market. Because of this we firmly believe there is a global interest and demand for our products. We have many other ideas and concepts which have a different look and feel but may still retain Japanese logic. These may include TV, film and music, so watch this space! At Ganapati we are a fearless ambassa- dor of Japanese culture. We are bring- ing Japanese culture, old and new, to the global gaming, entertainment and publishing sectors. We are Japan, based in Europe. Ganapati is the gateway to the very best of our native country. We will endeavour to become the leading content provider of entertainment products be- cause we understand how to adapt Japa- nese ideas and technology to the global entertainment industry. As the first Japanese gaming company to start in Europe, with the backing of our local teams in Japan, we are able to ensure that the content we deliver is authentic and true to its origins. We operate in the 'Immediacy Age' but our unique business strength is our ability to deliver cutting-edge content quickly whilst remaining true to our Japanese belief in the essential value of detail, from which we believe true creativity will flow." Part of the Ganapati Group, Ganapati Malta is a supplier of high-quality online games. We were established in September 2016 by experienced and visionary entre- preneurs from around the world. Our mission is to supply the European online gambling market with games that blend the best Japanese game logic and design with a unique entertainment element. We supply innovative products with distinctive visual elements that will engage your customers like never before. Offering a completely new mix of gaming and entertainment, our products are truly unique. Ganapati Malta are one of the market leaders in innovative online game design. Our gambling games feature licensed IP from internationally-recognised game studios with a track record of hugely suc- cessful and well-known products, includ- ing Gungrave and Cryptract and our own She Ninja Suzu and Pachinko Fireworks. Combining cutting-edge technology and design, we are currently developing origi- nal online gambling games in partnership with a well-known Hollywood studio and its creators. Utilising our global network of contacts in the entertainment industry – from films and TV to music, games and anima- tion – we also create our own IP. You'll benefit from a wide choice of entertain- ment-centred games that provide a high level of customer engagement. Our games are different because we combine the traditional online European online gaming experience with unique Japanese entertainment ideas. Our in- novative approach means that the games you'll find at Ganapati Malta are truly distinctive. We hope Malta embraces the Japanese culture as much as we are embracing the Maltese culture. For more information you can visit our website at www.ganapatimalta.com or contact us on info@ganapatimalta.com. At Ganapati we are a fearless ambassador of Japanese culture. We are bringing Japanese culture, old and new, to the global gaming, entertainment and publishing sectors She Ninja Suzu Richard Hogg; Director of Ganapati Malta and Estonia