Malta
Prediction Markets Regulation Underway In Malta
Malta is seeking to position itself as a European hub for prediction markets, after a senior minister revealed that officials are working on new regulations, but what does the island stand to gain?
Visiting a suite of new tech sector offices last week, Economic Minister Silvio Schembri told reporters that Malta is pushing forward with plans to licence predictions operators.
“We are actively exploring the emerging field of prediction markets, an area experiencing rapid global momentum which presents significant opportunities for innovation, provided it is supported by clear, forward-looking legislative framework that enables it to develop responsibly and at scale,” he said.
Having emerged initially in the United States, prediction markets offer a kind of combination between financial trading and betting. Operators provide the ability to buy shares in two-sided contracts that will pay out depending on which event occurs.
The products have proved popular with consumers, particularly younger and more crypto-native audiences, who are attracted to its simplicity and the belief they can profit from their skill at predicting events.
Contracts can, in theory, be offered on anything — and this unrestrained freedom has led to some difficult headlines.
There have been allegations of insider trading, particularly relating to bets on the Iran war, and there have also been several contracts offered on the survival of various world leaders, leading to questions of whether it is ethical to profit from gambling on death.
The minister’s announcement pledged to allow predictions operators to “develop responsibility”, meaning Malta will need to decide whether it wants to permit the more controversial fringes of the predictions world to exist within its potential ecosystem.
Controls around insider trading and sports integrity will also need to be deeply considered, unless the island wants to repeat its damaging run-in with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Europe remains cautious
These contentious contracts may dominate the airwaves, but — as explained by Yoni Sidi of predictions operator Winpot in a recent episode of the iGaming Exchange — despite all the headline grabbing bets on war and international assassinations, the product is still driven overwhelmingly by sports contracts.
This factor is at the core of its divisive status in the US. Predictions operators have effectively sidestepped state-by-state sports betting regulations, massively reducing their compliance overheads and tax burden, while still offering customers markets on the world’s biggest sporting events.
This has riled traditional operators in the US, but it is not immediately obvious that this same dilemma would be present for predictions providers that might end up being licensed in Malta.
It is highly unlikely that the EU will introduce rules that allow event contract markets to exist outside of national gambling regulations. Meanwhile several influential regulators, inside and outside the EU bloc, have already made their suspicions about this new vertical clear.
The UK Gambling Commission said earlier this year that prediction markets are close enough betting exchanges that any operator wishing to enter the British market would need an exchange licence.
The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has meanwhile threatened predictions giant Polymarket with fines of up to €840,000 if it does not leave the Dutch market. If Polymarket were ever to return to the Netherlands with a Maltese licence in hand, but no local Dutch approval, it is hard to imagine that the KSA would have a different reaction.
It begs the question of whether regulating prediction markets in Malta could ease European adoption of this new sector?
While it might not allow predictions operators to immediately passport their wares into other EU nations, predictions boosters will be hoping the project establishes a foundation of respectability and compliance that smooths their passage into local markets, even if the cooperation of local regulators will still be required.
“If Malta creates a clear framework, it could accelerate adoption across the whole industry,” said Yoni Sidi, speaking to EEGaming after Minister Schembri’s announcement.
“The challenge won’t just be just the licensing: I think it will be building products that balance liquidity, integrity, and user trust. Regulation is, I believe, a good and important first step.”
Right time, right place
The pivot to predictions also comes as Malta adapts to a growing need to diversify away from the igaming paradigm it established through its trailblazing acceptance of online gambling in the early 2000s.
There’s no doubting that the proliferation of local European licensing and the gradual judicial shutdown of EU grey markets has degraded the overall value of a Maltese licence.
That has left the island looking for alternatives: whether that be in bolstering its support for the B2B sector or to simply provide a base of operators for providers that want to offer into unregulated spaces outside of Europe.
Prediction markets and their unusual mix of financial trade and betting product potentially provides Malta with another much needed vector for growth.
“When it comes to remote gaming regulation, Malta has always been one of the leading jurisdictions. But times have changed, and state- and country-specific regulations take their toll on demand for remote licenses,” said Shmulik Segal, the founder of Media Troopers, an affiliate company that regularly works in the predictions space.
“Living in Malta and leading Media Troopers, which has a base here, I am very happy to see the Malta Gaming Authority taking the initiative to stay relevant and protect its position as a leading regulatory jurisdiction.
“Prediction markets span across cryptocurrency, finance, sports, world events, and pretty much anything people can speculate on. So the MGA getting involved is a great opportunity for the island’s economy to develop and diversify,” he said.
The post Prediction Markets Regulation Underway In Malta appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Massive Gaming (MVG), an international iGaming content supplier based in Australia, has obtained a B2B Gaming License from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), representing a significant achievement in the firm’s growth into regulated global markets.
The MGA license allows Massive Gaming to provide its gaming content and solutions to operators licensed under Malta‘s regulatory framework, enhancing the company’s capacity to partner with associates throughout Europe and other regulated regions.
To facilitate its regulatory growth, Massive Gaming set up MVG Malta, a specialized entity formed during the licensing process, which aids the company’s larger strategy to enhance its presence within the European iGaming landscape.
Massive Gaming expands its gaming lineup through three studios: Slot Mart, Whale House, and Blitzcrown. Each provides a variety of gaming experiences, including classic slot games, content from regulated markets, and new non-traditional gaming formats like crash-style games.
George Cho, Director at Massive Gaming, said: “Securing the MGA B2B license represents an important milestone for Massive Gaming as we continue to expand our presence in regulated markets. This achievement strengthens our ability to collaborate with operators and partners worldwide, and we look forward to building new partnerships as we grow our global distribution network.”
The Malta Gaming Authority is well-known as one of the most esteemed regulatory agencies in the worldwide iGaming sector, offering a strong foundation for compliance, transparency, and player safety.
Having obtained the MGA B2B license, Massive Gaming seeks to enhance its collaborations with operators and platforms looking for premium gaming content in regulated markets.
The post Massive Gaming Gains MGA B2B Approval to Accelerate Global iGaming Alliances appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Centurion Winner Grand Chance™
New from Inspired: Luck It Up™ and Centurion Winner Grand Chance™ available online & on mobile
Inspired Entertainment, Inc., a prominent B2B supplier of gaming content, systems, and solutions, has announced the introduction of Luck It Up!
and Centurion Winner Grand Chance, now accessible to operators in the UK and Maltese iGaming sectors.
Luck It Up! is the newest addition to the immensely popular Cash Bank series, featuring an Irish theme this time. The game features a Free Spins Bonus that activates when four or more four-leaf clover cash symbols appear in the base game, granting eight free spins. A pseudo-persistence element gathers cash symbols while playing the base game to increase the Cash Bank and randomly activate the Wheel Bonus Game, allowing players to spin for more free spins, access the Cash Bank Bonus, or one of four Prize Pots: Mini, Minor, Major, or Grand. Extra options such as Bonus Buy, Fortune Spins, and Gamble provide players with more opportunities to boost their winnings or quickly access the Free Spins Bonus round. Luck It Up! becomes part of Inspired’s growing collection of enjoyable medium-volatility, Irish-themed games, aimed at providing seasonal thrills and all-year amusement.
Centurion Winner Grand Chance expands on the achievements of the award-winning Golden Winner Grand Chance, now featuring Inspired’s iconic Centurion character. In the core game, Bonus symbols accumulate in a golden coin pot, leading to the activation of the Free Spins Bonus, where players choose their number of spins and initial position on a progression trail. Upon arriving at the trail’s end, a formidable x10 multiplier is triggered on all Centurion collectors, resulting in significant win possibilities and thrilling celebratory gaming experiences. The Grand Chance coin enhances the experience by offering one of four prize pots, introducing jackpot-style excitement to a well-established mechanic that combines known gameplay with a cherished theme.
Claire Osborne, Managing Director of Interactive at Inspired Entertainment, said: “These launches highlight our focus on delivering content that blends proven mechanics with strong themes players can instantly connect with. Luck It Up! re-enforces our strength as the home of the seasonal game, joining a growing portfolio of fun Cash Bank titles that resonate greatly with players globally. Centurion Winner Grand Chance features one of our most beloved characters, the mighty Centurion, and pairs him with the hugely popular Grand Chance mechanic, a combination that’s a recipe for success! Together, these titles showcase how we continue to evolve familiar gameplay in ways that keep players engaged and excited.”
The post New from Inspired: Luck It Up™ and Centurion Winner Grand Chance™ available online & on mobile appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
The Malta Gaming Authority has published its Supervisory Engagement Efforts for 2026, outlining the areas that will shape its regulatory oversight of the online gaming sector in the year ahead.
Building on the supervisory framework refined in 2025, the Authority will continue to apply a risk‑based, evidence‑led and outcomes‑focused approach. This enables the Authority to identify and assess regulatory risks more effectively, direct supervisory resources where they are most needed, and maintain a proactive and responsive regulatory environment.
For 2026, supervisory efforts are structured around three core regulatory themes: compliance, player protection and sports betting integrity. Within these pillars, the Authority has identified a number of targeted focus areas that reflect its ongoing risk assessment, supervisory observations and engagement with Authorised Persons.
Key supervisory priorities for 2026 include:
• a thematic review of internal control frameworks around the use of cash and cash equivalents within the online gaming industry;
• a thematic review of internal control frameworks around the use of crypto assets;
• focused integrity reviews relating to athletes betting on their own sport and integrity risks linked to esports markets; and
• enhanced oversight of player protection measures, including the quality and consistency of operator monthly ADR reporting.
Through these focused supervisory engagements, the Authority aims to strengthen regulatory standards, safeguard player interests and reinforce the long‑term resilience and integrity of the online gaming sector.
The post Malta Gaming Authority Publishes its Supervisory Engagement Efforts for 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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