JAPANESE ONLINE gaming company Gala is to expand its Dublin-based European Headquarters, creating 103 jobs with the support of IDA Ireland.

Gala Networks Europe (GNE), which is located in the Digital Hub, is growing due to the continuing development of the European online games market.

The company, which has been in operation since 2006, is involved in localisation, marketing, customer support and revenue collection and has a global mandate for licensing, publishing and hosting.

GNE’s chief executive Hyun Hur said the expansion would allow the company to move into new markets and introduce new titles. It also plans to add new language versions and license games from third-party developers.

“Ireland provides for us the skilled, multi-lingual workforce necessary to increase our mandate and Gala looks forward to the continued success and development of our Irish operations,” he said.

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan welcomed the announcement. “This expansion by Gala in the digital media sector is most welcome. Digital media is an exciting emerging sector and one for which Ireland is gaining a strong reputation,” she said.

“Gala’s decision to expand its Irish facility further embeds the company’s operations here,” she said.