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The MGA publishes its 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statements
The Malta Gaming Authority has published its Annual Report and audited Financial Statements for the 2023 financial year. The report provides insights into the Maltese land-based and online gaming industries, and outlines their performance in 2023. The report further provides an overview of the Authority’s accomplishments and offers a medium-term outlook for the future.
Supervisory Activities
• In 2023, the Authority conducted 21 compliance audits, and 125 desktop reviews The Commercial Communications Committee took five decisions regarding possible breaches of the Gaming Commercial Communications Regulations (S.L. 583.09). The Authority also issued 28 warnings, suspended nine licences and cancelled 11 licences. Furthermore, the MGA issued a total of 19 administrative penalties and one regulatory settlement, which amount to a total financial penalty of €172,900.
• A total of 28 AML/CFT Compliance Examinations were carried out; 13 were carried out by MGA and 15 by FIAU. During the same period, the FIAU imposed remediation and/or administrative penalties on seven licensees, based on violations discovered during examinations carried out in previous years, which amounted to €994,000.
• During 2023, the Authority received 24 applications for new gaming licences and issued 15 licences. A total of 13 applications were either rejected or withdrawn.
• Almost 1200 criminal probity screening checks were undertaken on individuals, shareholders, ultimate beneficial owners, key persons, employees and businesses from both the land-based and online gaming sectors. Applications of a more complex nature were escalated to the Fit & Proper Committee. In total, 64 decisions were taken by the Committee, including 14 decisions to reject individuals and entities who did not meet the Authority’s fit and properness criteria. The Supervisory Council reviewed 19 licence applications of which 14 were approved and four were rejected. One application was sent back to the applicant for further clarification.
• In 2023, 38 interviews with prospective MLROs and key persons carrying out AML/CFT functions were conducted with the aim of assessing their competence and understanding of the Maltese AML/CFT legal framework.
• The Authority, in its efforts to safeguard players and promote responsible gambling, assisted a total of 4483 players who requested assistance (including spill-over from 2022). Furthermore, 72 responsible gambling themed website checks were carried out, and 41 observation letters were issued to licensees outlining the responsible gambling issues and identifying areas of improvement.
• The Authority examines the financial standing of its licensees to ensure the continued viability of the business but also to safeguard the player funds. In 2023, 2059 Player Funds Reports were received and 24 player data extractions were carried out.
• A total of 49 websites were found to have misleading references to the Authority. In 23 instances, the information was not removed following notification, and notices are published on the MGA’s website with the aim of preventing the public from falling victim to such scams.
• In 2023, the Authority carried out just over 2300 inspections on Gaming Parlours, National Lottery Outlets, Bingo Halls and Non-Profit Tombola, in addition to another 7275 inspections, which were carried out to licensed casinos with the aim of having 24/7 inspectorate presence in such gaming establishments. Furthermore, the Authority was present during all the National Lottery licensee’s drawing operations. This is done to ensure compliance of the land-based licensees with the relevant rules and regulations.
• In 2023, following a consultation period, the Authority published the “Policy on the use of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) by Authorised Persons”. This policy supersedes “Guidance on the use of Innovative Technology Arrangements and the acceptance of Virtual Financial Assets and Virtual Tokens through the implementation of a Sandbox Environment”.
• In 2023, the Authority published amendments to the Player Protection Directive (Directive 2 of 2018), introducing five markers of harm. These are designed to help operators identify early signs of problematic gambling behaviour, enabling them to intervene in a timely and effective manner.
• In 2023, the Authority also published its voluntary ESG Code of Good Practice for the Remote Gaming Sector. The 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.
National and International Cooperation
• In 2023, the Authority received 255 suspicious betting reports from licensees and other interested parties. The Authority collaborated with enforcement agencies, sports governing bodies, integrity units and other regulatory authorities on 34 requests for information in relation to the manipulation of sporting events or violations of sporting regulations. Subsequently, these requests resulted in 44 data exchanges. In addition, a total of 235 alerts on suspicious betting were shared with the licensees. The Authority also contributed to 22 investigations into sports rules violations or manipulation of sporting competitions in 2023.
• The Authority sent 42 requests and received 77 requests for international collaboration. In both cases, most requests related to background checks as part of authorisation processes, or requests for information about the local regime.
• In 2023, a total of 75 letters of good standing were issued, providing feedback on the regulatory standing of the MGA’s licensed operators to the relevant authorities asking for this information.
• Additionally, in 2023, the Authority collaborated with other local regulating authorities and governing bodies on 124 requests for information.
MGA CEO Charles Mizzi said: “It is not a coincidence that the theme for the Annual Report is ‘sustainability’. The MGA’s ability to strike the right balance between allowing the industry to thrive and grow in a sustainable manner, while also protecting consumers, is key to Malta’s continued success.”
The post The MGA publishes its 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statements appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Conferences
ELA Games to Speak on Sustainable Growth at HIPTHER Prague 10th Anniversary Summit
The Head of Business Development at ELA Games collaborates with industry colleagues to explore the forthcoming phase of scalability.
ELA Games is happy to share that Yaroslav Soloshenko, Head of Business Development, will serve as an expert panelist at the forthcoming HIPTHER Prague Summit 2026.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Prague Summit is a focused event for leaders in gaming and technology across Central and Eastern Europe. On Day 2 (March 25, 2026) at 12:00 PM, Yaroslav will take the stage in the QUARTZ Room for a session called: “Game Innovation & Studio Growth: What Scales in 2026.”
Led by the esteemed industry personality Michael Caselli, the dialogue unites a panel of experienced experts, featuring Robert Lenzhofer (Hölle Games), Alexis Wicén (Scatters Group), Alessia Paiano, and Assaf Stieglitz. The session aims to investigate the realities of the contemporary gaming scene, aiding in differentiating between short-term experiments and the sustainable growth strategies that succeed in a competitive, regulated setting.
Yaroslav Soloshenko, Head of Business Development at ELA Games, said of the upcoming session: “Innovation in 2026 is defined by how a good idea adapts to the specific needs of the market. ELA Games is focused on the artistry of our games, making sure every animation and feature meets a standard of quality that itself is a core selling point for our partners. Scaling today requires us to push creative boundaries while finding new ways to maintain a competitive edge in a crowded and ever-changing market. It’s an honor to join such a distinguished panel at the Prague Summit, particularly as HIPTHER marks a decade of bringing together some of the most influential voices in the CEE region.”
The discussion will center on various critical aspects of studio development, such as:
Strategic Innovation Cycles: Syncing ambitious creative experimentation with the practical needs of product-market fit and scalable business success.
Efficient Distribution: Ways specialized studios can broaden their audience via strategic aggregation and partnerships with platforms.
Creative Adaptation: Preserving a studio’s artistic identity while effectively managing the changing technical and regulatory requirements of European markets.
The post ELA Games to Speak on Sustainable Growth at HIPTHER Prague 10th Anniversary Summit appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Cashpoint
EveryMatrix wins Cashpoint omnichannel turnkey platform deal in Denmark
EveryMatrix has signed a landmark omnichannel agreement to provide turnkey technology for one of Western Europe’s leading betting and gaming brands. Under the deal, EveryMatrix will power over 1,000 sports betting terminals across 230+ shops nationwide, while also delivering a fully integrated online sportsbook platform and launching Merkur’s first online casino in the second half of 2026.
The agreement represents the second major Denmark-based turnkey deal for EveryMatrix in just two months, following Danske Spil’s selection of the provider to power its casino and bingo operations.
Cashpoint, set to rebrand as Merkur Bets once the platform migration is complete, holds strong market positions in Germany, Austria, Belgium, and Denmark, making it one of the most prominent betting and gaming operators across Western Europe.
The brand began searching for a modern technology partner in early 2025, aiming to implement a scalable, omnichannel solution capable of integrating sportsbook and casino offerings. The migration from its in-house system to EveryMatrix’s turnkey platform is scheduled to align with the start of the new football season, ensuring a seamless transition for customers.
Ebbe Groes, Group Co-CEO & Co-Founder at EveryMatrix, said:
“The Cashpoint and Merkur brands are among the most recognisable in Denmark and across Europe. Partnering with their team to deliver a project of this scale is a privilege, and it demonstrates the growing trust tier-1 operators and lotteries are placing in EveryMatrix technology.”
Mathias Dahms, Managing Director Sportsbetting at Merkur Group, added:
“Merkur Bets is taking a major step forward this year. By switching to EveryMatrix technology and rebranding, we are positioning the brand for continued growth and success in Denmark. EveryMatrix offers the ideal foundation to support our omnichannel strategy and future expansion.”
This agreement reinforces EveryMatrix’s position as a leading provider of turnkey sportsbook and casino solutions, delivering both in-store and online experiences for operators across Europe.
The post EveryMatrix wins Cashpoint omnichannel turnkey platform deal in Denmark appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
EGT
24 Years Strong: EGT’s Commitment to Excellence and Timeliness
EGT was established to quickly rise as one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of gaming equipment worldwide. Today, as the organization marks its 24th anniversary, its narrative can be expressed in years of development, in hours of output, in minutes of accuracy, and even in seconds of engineering brilliance. Let’s reflect on how it accomplished this success.
Throughout this time, the company developed and patented more than 700 products and manufactured over 200,000 gaming devices, which have been placed in many of the most prestigious venues globally.
Numerous advancements from the EGT collection, including the Egypt Quest and Bell Link jackpots as well as the cabinets from the Premier, General, and Supreme series, have established benchmarks within the industry, defining its standards and making EGT synonymous with unwavering quality.
EGT has established 3 factories where it produces its goods and meets orders for clients globally. The company has even taken an additional step, successfully completing its production cycle at 360 degrees, which enables it to supply nearly everything required for manufacturing its machines.
This comprehensive production system enables EGT to assess its efficiency not only over years of expansion but also in seconds, minutes, and hours on the manufacturing floor.
Thanks to this, in just 24 seconds, the machines in the company’s production lines cut over 40 meters of cable used in EGT’s products. At this speed, the height of Mount Everest could be reached in under 90 minutes.
In just 24 minutes, over 16,000 components used in EGT’s products pass through the production process. At this rate, a venue the size of Madison Square Garden could be filled in about 30 minutes.
In 24 hours, 420 slot cabinets come off EGT’s production lines. Placed side by side, they would stretch almost the length of three football fields.
Impressive figures, right? Yet they represent only a fraction of what EGT has achieved over the past 24 years.
EGT is continually expanding its presence, with its products now available in more than 100 markets across 5 continents. Over 4,500 staff members across 28 global offices guarantee that the business remains close to its clientele.
In the last 24 years, EGT has been involved in more than 300 exhibitions globally. It has grown its family by adding 2 subsidiaries – EGT Digital and EGT Steel Production, which have allowed it to enhance its product offerings and now provide an even broader array of solutions to its existing and prospective clients and partners.
Throughout this time, EGT has garnered more than 30 accolades, serving as clear evidence of its standing as a leader in the gaming sector both nationally and internationally, along with its recognition as one of the most reliable firms in the Bulgarian economy overall.
Furthermore, EGT belongs to various Bulgarian and international business and industry associations. It holds more than 10 certifications for its work quality and presently utilizes systems like SAP, supported by internationally acknowledged testing labs like GLI and BMM, ensuring that the company’s products comply with all industry standards.
None of these achievements could have been realized without the company’s most important resource – its staff. EGT has established and fostered a culture of assistance and motivation for its staff to realize their potential and advance their careers within the company. Consequently, in just the past 5 years, its staff have participated in more than 200 varied courses and training sessions to enhance their professional skills and qualifications.
Simultaneously, the organization ensures a healthy balance between professional and personal life by enacting various family-focused social policies and allowing individuals to engage in their interests. EGT fields sports teams in football and athletics that frequently engage in multiple tournaments and competitions, showcasing impressive performances.
The company’s artists have the opportunity to showcase their individual creations in a unique exhibition that EGT hosts each year, and in 2025, the display was open to the public for the first time.
Annually, EGT offers internship programs that allow numerous young individuals at the start of their careers to gain essential knowledge and skills, with some going on to work at the company and utilizing this knowledge in practical applications at EGT.
Consequently, the company takes pride in a substantial percentage of long-serving employees—20% of the workforce has more than a decade of experience with the organization, which is an outstanding accomplishment.
In addition to all this, EGT continues to be accountable to society. Throughout the years, the organization has participated in various charitable initiatives focused on safeguarding the environment and assisting vulnerable individuals and those in distress.
EGT also actively backs various initiatives to encourage responsible gaming, enhancing its reputation as a developer of cutting-edge gaming solutions that lead industry trends.
Vladimir Dokov, CEO of EGT, shared: “Inspired by all these milestones achieved over the past 24 years, we have set ourselves no less ambitious goals for 2026. Along with further modernizing our production facilities, entering new markets and strengthening our leadership on a global level, an equally important priority for us will be to continue contributing to the improvement of the educational and professional environment in the country. This way, we will be able to prove once again that we not only know how to do successful business, but also that we are a socially responsible company that contributes to the overall development of society. This is the true meaning of excellence for us.”
Happy 24th birthday, EGT. Here’s to many more years where every second counts.
The post 24 Years Strong: EGT’s Commitment to Excellence and Timeliness appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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