BGaming says Malta charity gala raises over €200,000 for DAR Bjorn

BGaming said it raised more than €200,000 for Maltese neurological home DAR Bjorn during its second annual Charity Gala, held May 29 at The Phoenicia Malta in Valletta.

According to BGaming, the event brought together more than 400 guests from the iGaming sector, local business community and Maltese society. Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg also attended.

DAR Bjorn provides care and support for people living with ALS, MS and other severe neurological conditions. The organisation was founded by former iGaming professional Bjorn Formosa following his ALS diagnosis, and it currently cares for 60 residents while supporting more than 800 people across Malta, BGaming said.

BGaming said proceeds from the gala will be used to equip DAR Bjorn’s new Respite Centre with medical care and equipment, and that it is covering the event’s operating costs so all money raised goes to the cause.

Marina Ostrovtsova, CEO at BGaming, said, “When we organized the first Charity Gala last year, we simply wanted to help DAR Bjorn and do something meaningful together as an industry. We never imagined it would grow into such a powerful annual initiative.

What inspires me most is not only the amount raised, but the people behind it. Seeing companies that normally compete come together for one shared purpose says a lot about our industry and the kind of community BGaming has built around it.

The impact of this evening goes far beyond fundraising. It helps improve the lives of people at DAR Bjorn, but it also reminds all of us that we have the ability to create meaningful change when we work together.”

Maria Formosa, the executive secretary of ALS Malta and the wife of ALS activist Bjorn Formosa, said, “Charity Gala by BGaming showed the extraordinary impact that can be achieved when the gaming industry unites behind a meaningful cause. The generosity shown throughout the evening will directly help us equip new rooms in our respite home and improve the lives of people living with neurological conditions. It was truly another memorable night in a magical venue filled up with beautiful souls who believed in our mission.

We are profoundly grateful to BGaming, to Madame Lubov for her hard and meticulous work she did once again for the success of the event, to the support received from Next.io and every supporter who helped turn compassion into action.”