Compliance Updates
MGA Publishes Voluntary ESG Code of Good Practice
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has introduced the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Code of Good Practice for the remote gaming sector.
This ESG Code seeks to serve as an instrument for self-regulation, helping remote gaming companies align with best practices and maintain a position that allows them to effectively meet the evolving expectations of key stakeholders in the sector.
While this ESG Code is voluntary, all MGA licensees are strongly encouraged to adopt it to better demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and to continue improving the ESG standing of the industry.
Addressing a press conference, MGA CEO Carl Brincat said that across industries, a trend has emerged towards greater transparency, disclosure, accountability and active engagement in addressing the pressing social and environmental issues of our time.
“The MGA has always strived to be at the forefront of regulatory innovation and progress. We have been working not only to supervise the gaming industry, but also to nurture it, to foster a space where operators can thrive, while ensuring that the welfare of society remains paramount. Our ESG Code represents our commitment to this,” Dr Brincat said.
Minister for the Economy, EU Funds and Lands Silvio Schembri said that the aim of the press conference was to highlight the importance for the remote gaming sector to voluntarily use the ESG tool that is increasingly shaping the business and investment landscape, as well as our approach to social and environmental challenges.
“All businesses should embrace tools to reduce risk and transform successfully, and when it comes to remote gaming, one of the tools is using ESG metrics.
“The ESG code will serve as an instrument for self-regulation, helping remote gaming companies align with best practices and maintain a position that allows them to effectively meet the evolving expectations of key stakeholders in the sector,” Minister Schembri said.
The ESG Code is the culmination of a journey that involved four extensive stages: the peer review and research phase, materiality assessment, stakeholder interviews and licensees’ consultations. This extensive process has resulted in a final Code that is well-informed and reflective of the industry’s ESG priorities and stakeholder expectations.
Key Features of the ESG Code – a Balanced Approach
The Code identifies 19 ESG topics, derived from the materially assessment, organised into three categories: Environmental, Social and Governance, providing a strategic framework for remote gaming companies to focus their reporting efforts effectively.
Two Tiers of Reporting: The MGA will recognise companies’ efforts with two levels of reporting, Tier 1, a basic ESG standard, and Tier 2, a more aspirational level, to ensure sustainability efforts are focused and impactful.
Flexible approach for certain disclosures: Core disclosures have been defined, while reporting entities will have the flexibility to choose optional disclosures;
Streamlined Reporting: The Code includes several ESG disclosures already required under existing reporting frameworks to streamline reporting and reduce administrative burden; and
Focus on ESG reporting: The emphasis is on ESG reporting, rather than setting specific ESG targets.
An MGA ESG Code Approval Seal
Industry consultation revealed a strong desire for formal recognition by the MGA. To meet this demand, the MGA ESG Code Approval Seal will be awarded to entities that report under this Code, showcasing their commitment to ESG. Different seals will be awarded to entities that meet Tier 1 or Tier 2 reporting requirements.
How the ESG Code will Work in Practice
The Code will be a standalone voluntary submission, separate from other ESG disclosures made by the reporting entity to the MGA or other bodies. Reporting will be confidential, and the MGA will launch an online tool to facilitate the process. Additionally, the ESG Code will align reporting periods with the financial year of reporting entities. The inaugural reporting year will commence in 2023, with the submission deadline set for the third quarter of 2024.
Betsson Group
Betsson Group Shortlisted at the Global Regulatory Awards 2025
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Betsson Group has been shortlisted for “Legal Team of the Year” at the upcoming Global Regulatory Awards 2025 (GRAs), while its General Counsel, Corinne Valletta, has been nominated for “Chief Compliance Officer of the Year.”
Organised by Vixio Regulatory Intelligence, the Global Regulatory Awards celebrate excellence across the compliance and responsible gambling sectors, recognising individuals and teams who continuously raise industry standards and champion best practices.
These accolades testify to Betsson’s commitment to raising standards in compliance to ensure a safe and stable business.
The post Betsson Group Shortlisted at the Global Regulatory Awards 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Andrew Rhodes
UK Gambling Commission Concludes Four-part Series on Illegal Online Gambling
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The UK Gambling Commission has published the fourth and final report in its series exploring the complex and evolving issue of illegal online gambling.
The series — launched earlier this year — set out to improve understanding of consumer engagement with illegal online gambling, the risks it poses and the actions being taken to disrupt it.
Over the past months, the Commission has published three reports examining:
Part 1: Consumer awareness, drivers and motivations
Part 2: Consumer engagement and trends
Part 3: Disruption of illegal online gambling
This report — “Estimating the size of the illegal online gambling market” — explores the challenges of quantifying an activity that is, by its nature, hidden.
Understanding the challenge
The report highlights that while measuring the scale of the illegal online gambling market is essential for effective enforcement and policy-making, doing so presents significant methodological challenges. Reliable data is limited, and assumptions are often required to fill gaps — meaning that confidence in any single estimate is inherently constrained.
The Commission draws parallels with other areas of illicit activity, such as the trade in illegal tobacco, where government departments face similar difficulties estimating financial impact.
Building on progress
Although no single estimate of market size has been published, the Commission’s work to date has built a stronger evidence base and clearer understanding of both consumer behaviour and illegal operator tactics.
The series has found that:
• consumer motivations to use illegal sites are varied — there is no single driver of engagement
• some consumers are unaware that they are gambling illegally, highlighting the need for greater public awareness
• not all activity in the illegal market represents a direct loss to the regulated sector, as some consumers are self-excluded or otherwise unable to gamble legally
• there is currently no evidence of sustained growth in engagement with illegal websites where data has been collected
• a range of disruption and enforcement tactics are being deployed, supported by cross-industry and international collaboration.
A shared responsibility
The Commission emphasises that tackling illegal gambling requires a coordinated response. Efforts to measure, monitor and disrupt the illegal market will depend on continued collaboration across government, industry, digital platforms and financial services.
Chief Executive, Andrew Rhodes said: “Illegal online gambling remains a serious threat to consumers and to the integrity of the regulated market.
“While measuring the full scale of the problem is complex, our understanding is growing — and so too is our ability to disrupt illegal operators.
“Our independent research has strengthened the evidence base, improved transparency, and underlined that progress depends on a collective effort across sectors.”
Next steps
Although this marks the end of the current series, the Commission will continue its programme of research, data collection and enforcement activity.
The post UK Gambling Commission Concludes Four-part Series on Illegal Online Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
ADM
Swintt games go live in Italy after receiving ADM certification
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Rapidly-expanding software provider enters its 13th regulated market following Italian regulator’s approval of Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt titles
Having previously outlined its intentions to enter more regulated markets throughout 2025, sought-after software provider Swintt has announced that it has now officially been greenlit by Italy’s Agencia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) to offer its slots in the country.
The new certification has initially been granted for Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt titles, and though further approval is planned for both SwinttPremium and SwinttSelect releases in the not-too-distant future, the provider has already put pen to paper with two of Italy’s leading operators.
Launched in 2024 following Swintt’s acquisition of Elysium Studios, Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt is a cutting-edge collection of releases that incorporates elements of social, mobile and casino gaming to deliver a more engaging experience that’s custom-made for the modern player.
Featuring inventive themes, innovative features and intuitive, mobile-first game mechanics, some of the biggest hits to come from the collaboration to date include the quirky, folk lore-inspired I Hate Fairytales and the swashbuckling skull and bones epic, Pirate Pledge Hold & Win.
Given both titles boast a cast of characters that includes everything from punk rock princesses to salty sea dogs and a huge selection of rewarding bonus rounds, the two games and many more from the Elysium Studios line-up are certain to prove a popular addition among Italian audiences.
With Swintt’s successful acquisition of ADM certification now paving the way for the provider to enter its 13th regulated market, the decision will significantly expand the company’s European footprint and enable it to form further partnerships with Italian operators in the months to come.
David Mann, Chief Executive Officer at Swintt, said: “At Swintt, our focus has always been on ensuring that our content gets put in front of players in as many regulated markets as possible – and acquiring ADM approval to offer our games in Italy is another significant step on this journey.
“As an established iGaming market with a huge emerging player base, we feel our Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt line-up can make a big impact in the region and we look forward to being able to roll out our other core line-ups very soon.”
The post Swintt games go live in Italy after receiving ADM certification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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