Michael Schmitt’s disappearance from LinkedIn is raising questions within the iGaming sector  

For years, Michael Schmitt used LinkedIn as one of his main publishing channels. Virtually every major Malta Media investigation appeared on the platform, where operators, affiliates, lawyers and regulators followed his posts closely.  

That is precisely why one development stands out – one which iGamingexpress has investigated.  

Schmitt’s personal LinkedIn profile is no longer publicly visible, whilst Malta Media continues to publish articles under his name as usual. There has been no public statement, but his disappearance is notable because LinkedIn played a key role in building his influence within the European iGaming sector.   

A publisher who became part of the story himself  

Most B2B media outlets within the iGaming industry follow a familiar pattern. They publish press releases, board appointments, product launches and interviews, whilst at the same time maintaining close ties with advertisers.  

Schmitt chose a different path. 

Following the establishment of Malta Media, his focus gradually shifted from traditional industry news to investigations into ownership structures, regulation, illegal gambling operators and business conflicts. His ‘Editor’s Choice’ articles increasingly centred on documents rather than press releases, enabling Malta Media to become one of the few trade media outlets covering topics that many companies would rather not discuss publicly.   

This also changed Schmitt’s own position.  

He was no longer merely reporting on the sector. Increasingly, he became part of the discussions himself.  

Malta Media evolved into something different  

The turning point came when Malta Media moved away from the traditional B2B model.  

Instead of focusing primarily on corporate news, Schmitt began publishing investigations into licences, ownership structures, financial transactions and the growing illegal gambling market.  

For its supporters, Malta Media thus provided an important counterbalance to the often carefully orchestrated communications within the sector.  

Critics, on the other hand, felt that some publications blurred the line between investigative journalism, reputational damage and commercial interests.  

However you look at it, one thing is certain: Malta Media became much more than just an ordinary news site. The investigations influenced discussions between operators, regulators, investors and lawyers.   

With Trider, the boundaries became even more blurred 

The founding of Trider opened up a whole new dimension.  

Alongside Malta Media, Schmitt built a company that focuses on commercial investigations into corporate structures, ultimate beneficial owners and financial links within the iGaming industry.  

That combination is exceptional.  

On the one hand, there is a media platform that publishes investigative articles. On the other, a company that provides research services to paying clients.  

For supporters, this demonstrates his knowledge of the sector.  

For critics, it raises questions about where journalism ends and commercial service provision begins.  

The fact is that this has made Schmitt one of the most controversial figures within the European iGaming industry.   

The investigations that shaped his reputation  

Several high-profile investigations brought Schmitt to prominence.  

His articles on Tipico examined complex restructurings, dividend payments and transfers of intellectual property, raising the question of whether such transactions could become relevant to future player claims. 

This was followed by his extensive coverage of the conflict between Evolution, Playtech and Black Cube. In doing so, he looked not only at the legal battle, but also at the reputational damage and the balance of power within the international casino sector. 

Rather than simply reporting on events, Schmitt always sought to analyse who stood to gain, who was losing influence, and how the balance of power was shifting behind the scenes. This became a key feature of Malta Media.   

LinkedIn became part of the revenue model  

Unlike many specialist journalists, Schmitt hardly built his reputation through conferences or panel discussions.  

LinkedIn became his main distribution channel.  

New investigations reached thousands of industry professionals directly. Sources could easily approach him, and discussions about sensitive issues often took place in the comments sections of his posts.  

As a result, LinkedIn was much more than just a social network.  

It became an essential part of how Malta Media built its reach.  

That is precisely why the disappearance of his profile is so striking.   

Malta Media continues to publish as usual  

Perhaps most striking of all is what has not changed.  

Malta Media continues to publish.  

Articles are also still appearing under Michael Schmitt’s name.  

This suggests that the disappearance of his LinkedIn profile does not automatically mean that he has ceased his activities.  

There are several possible explanations for this.  

Perhaps he has deliberately chosen to reduce his personal visibility. Perhaps the profile has been temporarily deactivated. It is also possible that communication has shifted entirely to Malta Media’s corporate channels. 

There is currently no public confirmation of any of these scenarios.  

Visibility can also become a burden  

Ironically, Malta Media now appears to be in a stronger commercial position than it was in its early years.  

Whilst the platform initially struggled to attract advertisers, several companies in the sector are now collaborating with the outlet.  

It was precisely its investigative journalism that made Malta Media impossible to ignore. 

At the same time, that growing influence meant that Schmitt himself was increasingly thrust into the spotlight.  

As Malta Media became better known, the distinction between the founder and the brand also began to blur.  

If his personal profile disappears, that dynamic changes immediately.  

More than just a missing profile  

Michael Schmitt’s disappearance from LinkedIn is therefore more than just a change on social media.  

For years, LinkedIn was the public face of one of the most talked-about investigative journalists within the European iGaming industry.  

Whether his profile has disappeared for good or will return at a later date is currently unknown.  

But above all, the situation says something about the position he has built up.  

Schmitt gained his influence by asking questions that many parties would rather have avoided. Now, it is his own absence from one of the most important business platforms that is raising new questions.