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15 Jun 2026Read More
Casino Malta: Interview with Doron Ziony on Poker Growth
- Doron Ziony highlights strategic growth for Casino Malta amidst rising competition.
- The focus remains on consistent player experiences and smart partnerships.
- Plans include expanding event visibility in Europe and enhancing flagship events.
Doron Ziony, Head of Business Development at Casino Malta, discusses the future of the Battle of Malta.
Casino Malta remains a central force in the Mediterranean poker scene. New rivals are entering the market with massive prize pools.
To navigate this era, Casino Malta recently appointed Doron Ziony as Head of Business Development.
Doron brings years of experience from both major online operators and world class live venues.
In this discussion, he shares his vision for the future of the brand. He also offers a look at what makes the Battle of Malta a unique fixture on the global circuit.
Doron, you joined Casino Malta during a time of high competition. Other venues are launching huge events with 5m euro guarantees. What is your strategy to keep Casino Malta as the volume leader on the island?
A: I believe that competition is a good thing. It keeps you sharp. It forces you to adjust and improve all the time. We are very aware of what is happening around us.
However, our focus stays on delivering consistent and strong events that players trust. We want to provide the best poker atmosphere. We are working on some great ideas now. I would say: stay tuned.
The Battle of Malta is your flagship event. Do you plan to add a second major festival to balance the year? Or is the focus only on the Spring and Autumn editions?
Battle of Malta is indeed our flagship event. It will remain our main focus. That said, we are always looking at how to balance the year better. This might mean adding new events. It could also mean strengthening what already works to take it to the next level.
You mentioned expanding the brand footprint in Europe. Does this mean we will see Casino Malta events touring other countries?
We are on it. Expanding the footprint is something we are actively working on. It does not necessarily mean doing everything at once. It is about making the Casino Malta brand more visible and accessible. There are a few different directions we are exploring. You will start seeing that take shape gradually.
We have seen partnerships with WPT Global and ACR Poker recently. Are you looking for a single exclusive online partner for 2026?
We like keeping things flexible. Different partners bring different strengths. That helps us reach a wider player field. As I see it, that is the unique spirit of Battle of Malta. We are always focusing on smart collaborations. These must make sense for both sides and help us grow the fields in a healthy way.
Esports and poker are colliding often now. Malta is a hub for both. Is there a world where you launch a hybrid gaming and gambling festival?
It is definitely an interesting idea. This is especially true in Malta. Poker stays our main focus. However, we are open to ideas that add to the overall experience. If we go in that direction, it would be because it genuinely makes sense for our players.
The dates for the Battle of Malta Summer Edition 2026 were announced very early. Was this a move to lock in players before the WSOP? Or was it to help with travel costs?
It was important for us to give players enough time to plan their live poker schedule. We want to help them get better prices on accommodation and flights. An early announcement just makes life easier for everyone.
Last year you introduced a five thousand euro bonus for end of day chip leaders. Did this create the aggressive play you wanted?
A: It created a lot of interest and action. That was the goal. We are looking at the feedback from players before deciding how it fits into future events.
Logistics are a challenge with six thousand entries. You split the event between the Eden Arena and the Poker Room. Is this the permanent layout?
With events this big, flexibility is key. The current setup worked well. Nothing is set in stone. We will always keep adjusting to improve the player experience.
The Mystery Bounty format is dominating the industry. Is the Battle of Malta version becoming a mini main event?
The Mystery Bounty format is very popular. No question about that. I personally love to play this event. The challenge is keeping it exciting and not overdoing it. We are looking at ways to keep it fresh without losing what makes it fun.
Some players ask about high roller traffic. Will you try to attract the five thousand euro buy-in crowd?
Battle of Malta is built around fun and accessible poker. That will not change. That said, we are always listening to player feedback. We are seeing where there is room to add tournaments without changing the DNA of the event.
You have worked on the operator side and the venue side. What is one player complaint you used to sympathize with but now realize is hard to fix?
I used to sympathize with players feeling that certain things should be easy fixes. These include registration queues or late starts. From the outside, it can look very simple. Once you are on the venue side, you realize how many moving parts are involved at the same time.
You deal with staffing, regulations, capacity, and technical systems. You do your best to keep everything smooth. Not everything is fully in your control. I have huge respect for the team on the ground at Casino Malta. Real kudos to Dian and Telly for running the show day by day.
How do you balance structures for tourists who want to party and pros who live on the island?
It is always about keeping the balance. Malta has a strong local community and many international players.
Our goal is to keep structures easy to understand and enjoyable. We want to avoid turning the game into a turbo structure. You will never make everyone fully happy. If both sides feel considered, you are doing something right.
With travel costs rising, are you looking at package only models?
A: Packages usually offer the best value for players. They are an important part of our offering. At the same time, we want to keep the flexibility of showing up and playing. We want to give players more options. They can choose a full package or a seat only option.
If you could take one feature from a competitor tour, what would it be?
There are a lot of good ideas out there. We prefer taking inspiration rather than copying. We then shape things in a way that fits Casino Malta.
If you were the DJ at the Battle of Malta party, what track would you play first?
For sure it would be an upbeat track. I have two options in mind. The first is The Age of Love remix by Charlotte de Witte. The second is the Habitat remix by Luke Bond. I will let the readers choose.
Do you see parallels between reading a dance floor and reading a poker room?
DJing definitely helps me clear my mind. When you are DJing, you are constantly reading the room. You feel the energy and adjust in real time. That is not so different from what we do in live events. You need to know when to push and when to slow things down. The room usually tells you what it needs.
When you fly in for festivals, what detail do you check first?
I look at the overall flow. I check how smooth registration is. I watch how players move between areas to find bottlenecks. You can learn a lot by watching that. I also pay close attention to the professionalism of the staff. How they handle questions makes a huge difference to the experience.
If you had a dream budget, what DJ would you book for the party?
That one is easy. Tiësto. He is the greatest of all time in my view. He knows how to read a crowd. He delivers the kind of energy that fits a Casino Malta party perfectly.
What headline do you hope to see about your success in the next two years?
Casino Malta continues to grow as one of the most fun and reliable poker destinations in Europe. It should be known for a team that does a great job and for building new partnerships across the industry.
Doron Ziony clear vision for Casino Malta combines professional execution with a deep understanding of the player experience.
As the Battle of Malta approaches its 2026 season, the focus remains on growth through smart partnerships and consistent value.
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