Connect with us
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025

Compliance Updates

MGA Issues Interim Performance Report for January to June 2023

Published

on

mga-issues-interim-performance-report-for-january-to-june-2023
Reading Time: 3 minutes

 

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has released its Interim Performance Report for the period between January and June 2023. The report provides a review of the Authority’s accomplishments for the first half of 2023, together with a description of the Maltese gaming industry’s performance over the same period. The latter provides a medium-term outlook towards the future, as well as an analysis outlining important statistics for the land-based and online gaming industries.

Supervisory Activities

  • Between January and June 2023, the Authority conducted 14 compliance audits and 85 desktop reviews. The Commercial Communications Committee also issued a total of three Letters of Breach, whereby operators were found to be in breach of the Gaming Commercial Communications Regulations (S.L. 583.09). The Authority issued 23 warnings, cancelled four licences and suspended another five, following information which emerged from supervisory activities. Furthermore, the MGA issued a total of nine administrative penalties as well as one regulatory settlement, with a collective total financial penalty of €124,400.
  • The MGA also carried out 11 Compliance Examinations on behalf of the FIAU. During the same period, the FIAU imposed administrative penalties on three licensees based on violations discovered during examinations carried out in previous years. In total, these amounted to €599,420.
  • A total of 545 criminal probity screening checks were undertaken on personnel, shareholders, ultimate beneficial owners, key individuals, employees, and businesses from the land-based and online gaming sectors. A number of these were escalated to the Fit & Proper Committee, which during the period in review determined that four individuals and entities did not meet the Authority’s fit and properness criteria. The Supervisory Council also rejected one licence application on the same basis.
  • In the first half of the year, 19 interviews with prospective MLROs and key persons carrying out the AML/CFT function were carried out with the aim of determining the knowledge and suitability of each candidate.
  • In its efforts to safeguard players and promote responsible gaming, the Authority assisted a total of 2216 players who requested assistance, covering the majority of the cases received during 2023 and the spillover from 2022. Furthermore, 40 responsible gambling website checks were conducted to ensure that licensees are duly protecting their players as required by law, and 16 observation letters were issued identifying areas of improvement.
  • A total of 11 cases of websites having misleading references to the Authority were investigated, while a total of six notices were published on the MGA’s website with the aim of preventing the public from falling victim to such scams.

National and International Cooperation

  • Enforcement agencies, sports governing bodies, integrity units and other regulatory authorities made a total of 12 requests for information, specifically in relation to the manipulation of sporting events or violations of sporting regulations. Subsequently, these requests resulted in 17 data exchanges. In addition, 166 allegations of suspicious betting from licensees and other interested parties were received.
  • Between January and June 2023, a total of 118 alerts on suspicious betting were sent to the industry. Following further correspondence of these alerts to the industry, the Authority received a total of 12 new suspicious betting reports through the Suspicious Betting Reporting Mechanism.
  • The Authority participated directly in six separate investigations into sports rules violations or manipulation of sporting competitions during the time under review. A direct investigation implies that the report came from MGA licensed operators, and thus betting data was shared. In addition, the Authority also participated indirectly in another five investigations, where the events reported formed part of another jurisdiction, but concerned Maltese players.
  • The Authority sent 23 requests for international cooperation, relating to requests for background checks as part of an authorisation process. Furthermore, the Authority received a total of 37 requests for international collaboration from other regulators.
  • By the end of June 2023, a further 53 official replies were issued, providing feedback on the regulatory good standing of our licensed operators to the relevant authorities asking for this information.
  • In total, during the first six months of the year, the MGA received 45 requests for information from other local regulating authorities and governing bodies.

The MGA will publish a full-year industry performance report during the second half of 2024, when it publishes its Annual Report for the financial year ending 31 December 2023.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

Compliance Updates

EPIC Global Solutions highlighted as a key element in PrizePicks’ iCAP Accreditation

Published

on

epic-global-solutions-highlighted-as-a-key-element-in-prizepicks’-icap-accreditation
Reading Time: 2 minutes

 

EPIC is proud to have played a key role in helping PrizePicks achieve iCAP certification, the industry’s leading responsible gaming (RG) assessment.

As the globally recognized experts in harm minimization, EPIC worked closely with PrizePicks to enhance its responsible gaming initiatives, contributing to this historic milestone. With the certification, PrizePicks becomes the first and only daily fantasy sports operator in North America to achieve this level of recognition.

A key factor in this achievement was EPIC Global Solutions’ implementation of its comprehensive responsible gaming (RG) tools within PrizePicks. Through an anonymous, company-wide RG survey, EPIC provided valuable insights into the organization’s culture and commitment to player protection. The survey revealed that 82% of PrizePicks employees believe the company fosters a strong RG culture, while 88% emphasized the importance of responsible gaming for the long-term sustainability of the industry.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

“Direct engagement with staff was pivotal to our assessment,” said Teresa Fiore, SVP North America at EPIC Global Solutions.

“Our survey underscores how deeply PrizePicks is committed to responsible gaming—not only as an ethical imperative but as a driver of employee morale and long-term industry sustainability. Additionally, they recognize that a strong commitment to RG is essential for the long-term sustainability of the industry.”

EPIC’s robust assessment also highlighted the significant impact of extensive RG training, with over 2,500 hours provided to staff from partners such as EPIC during the past year. The survey’s insights have not only served as a foundational benchmark for ongoing improvements but have also been cited as a critical factor in PrizePicks securing its iCAP accreditation.

Phil Sherwood, Senior Director of Responsible Gaming at PrizePicks, added: “Our partnership with EPIC has been instrumental in elevating our responsible gaming initiatives. Their expertise and insights have enhanced our programs, contributed to our iCAP accreditation, and reinforced our commitment to continuous improvement.”

Both EPIC and PrizePicks are committed to building on these achievements with plans to conduct annual surveys and further integrate employee insights into future RG initiatives.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

The post EPIC Global Solutions highlighted as a key element in PrizePicks’ iCAP Accreditation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

AGCO

AGCO issues $110,000 in penalties to BetMGM Canada for offering cash to induce new gambling customers

Published

on

agco-issues-$110,000-in-penalties-to-betmgm-canada-for-offering-cash-to-induce-new-gambling-customers

 

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has served BetMGM Canada Inc. with an Order of Monetary Penalty (OMP) of $110,000 for violations of the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming.

In two separate incidents in 2024, BetMGM engaged marketing companies who offered cash to members of the public in return for opening new BetMGM accounts. The marketing activities occurred in public forums, such as a major national trade conference. Under AGCO’s Standards, operators are responsible for the conduct of their third-party suppliers who are contracted to support the operator’s Ontario gaming business, and must require their third-parties to meet Ontario laws, regulations and standards (Standard 1.19).

Ontario is one of the first jurisdictions in the world to establish and enforce rules that strictly limit high-risk inducement advertising and marketing in the online gambling industry. Registered iGaming operators are prohibited from offering gambling inducements, bonuses and credits as part of their broad public advertising and marketing activities (Standard 2.05). These Standards exist to protect Ontarians from predatory advertising and promotional marketing practices in order to limit the risk of gambling-related harm.

A registered operator served with an OMP by the AGCO has the right to appeal the Registrar’s decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), which is an adjudicative tribunal independent of the AGCO and part of Tribunals Ontario.

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)

QUOTE

“Responsible gambling safeguards and the protection of Ontarians on registered gaming sites is among our key priorities. The AGCO monitors the activities of all registered operators and their third-party suppliers to ensure they are meeting our high standards and we continue to take strong action to ensure they operate within the public interest.”

Dr. Karin Schnarr, Chief Executive Officer and Registrar – AGCO

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

BetMGM Canada Inc. failed to comply with the Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming. Specifically, the licensee failed to comply with the following provisions of the Standards:

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)
  • 1.19 Operators are responsible for the actions of third parties with whom they contract for the provision of any aspect of the Operator’s business related to gaming in Ontario and must require the third party to conduct themselves in so far as they carry out activities on behalf of the operator as if they were bound by the same laws, regulations, and standards.
  • 2.05 Advertising and marketing materials that communicate gambling inducements, bonuses and credits are prohibited, except on an operator’s gaming site and through direct advertising and marketing, after receiving active player consent.

Contrary to the Standards, BetMGM Canada Inc. and/or their affiliates allegedly engaged in the following activities:

a) On or about January 13 and 14, 2024, BetMGM representatives were alleged to have attended the National Franchise Show and were offering $100 in cash to new players for opening a new account and depositing $15.
b) On or about March 11, 2024, BetMGM acknowledged that its marketing affiliate “Above the Street” had engaged in prohibited inducement marketing. The conduct resulted in 377 player sign-ups and $127,180.00 in commissions to “Above the Street”.
c) On or about April 13, 2024, another BetMGM marketing affiliate “Maple Leaf Marketing” engaged in prohibited inducements and marketing to induce on-site activations and acquire new players. The conduct resulted in 94 player sign-ups and about $34,000.00 in commissions paid to “Maple Leaf Marketing”.

The post AGCO issues $110,000 in penalties to BetMGM Canada for offering cash to induce new gambling customers appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

Continue Reading

Compliance Updates

Continent 8 achieves ISO 50001 certification, championing responsible energy management in its data centres

Published

on

continent-8-achieves-iso-50001-certification,-championing-responsible-energy-management-in-its-data-centres
Reading Time: < 1 minute

 

Continent 8 is committed to efficient energy management, reducing energy consumption and ensuring sustainability across various facilities

Continent 8 Technologies, the leading provider of global managed hosting, connectivity, cloud and cybersecurity solutions to the iGaming and online sports betting industry, is pleased to announce its recent achievement of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 50001:2018 Energy Management Systems (EnMS) standard.

The ISO 50001 certification is an internationally recognised benchmark for energy management. As part of the ISO 50001 certification initiative, Continent 8 is committed to implementing both short- and long-term energy management strategies, identifying energy-saving opportunities and promoting environmental sustainability across its data centre operations. Continent 8’s commitments include:

Advertisement
European Gaming Congress 2024 (Warsaw, Poland)
  • Enhancing energy performance by optimising design and operations and investing in energy-efficient technologies.
  • Complying with all relevant energy laws, regulations and other operational requirements.
  • Exploring opportunities to increase the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
  • Engaging employees in company-wide energy conservation initiatives.
  • Collaborating with customers, suppliers and the community to advance energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Michael Tobin, CEO and Founder of Continent 8 Technologies, stated: “For over 25 years, we have been dedicated to delivering best-in-class managed data centre services to our global customers. In recent years, we have equally prioritised sustainability and decarbonisation. We recognise the impact our data centres have on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint.

“Achieving ISO 50001 certification is a significant step in our commitment to sustainability, and I’d like to congratulate all involved in this accomplishment. This certification ensures that our organisation is responsible for continuously enhancing our energy management system and implementing objectives and best practices for energy efficiency.”

The post Continent 8 achieves ISO 50001 certification, championing responsible energy management in its data centres appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Continue Reading

Trending

Get it on Google Play

Fresh slot games releases by the top brands of the industry. We provide you with the latest news straight from the entertainment industries.

The platform also hosts industry-relevant webinars, and provides detailed reports, making it a one-stop resource for anyone seeking information about operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services in the European gaming market. The portal's primary goal is to keep its extensive reader base updated on the latest happenings, trends, and developments within the gaming and gambling sector, with an emphasis on the European market while also covering pertinent global news. It's an indispensable resource for gaming professionals, operators, and enthusiasts alike.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 - Recent Slot Releases is part of HIPTHER Agency. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania