Latest News
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 A total of 13 applications were either rejected or withdrawn.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.
Latest News
13 gambling company executives in appeal against ATG’s proposal to raise gambling tax in Sweden
BOS – The Swedish Trade Association for Online Gambling – is today submitting a letter to the government. The letter is signed by 13 gambling company executives and BOS’s secretary general. In the letter, the signatories urge the government not to support the gambling company ATG in their proposal to raise the general gambling tax in favour of a reduction in the tax on horse racing.
As a main argument, the signatories highlight the fact that the level of the gambling tax affects the proportion of consumers who choose to gamble on the legal licensed gambling market, and that too many consumers are already opting out of the safety of the licensed market with its extensive consumer protection.
“Horse betting has a channelisation rate of between 98-99 percent. Online casino, according to the most optimistic estimates, has a channelisation rate of between 72-82 percent. The higher the tax, the greater the risk that the consumer will choose unlicensed gambling, where neither gambling tax nor consumer protection exists. To then lower the gambling tax for horse betting, which already has a very strong channelisation, and raise it for online casino, which has a very weak channelisation, would be completely incomprehensible. At least for those who prioritize consumer protection,” says BOS Secretary General Gustaf Hoffstedt.
You can read the full letter here: Letter to Government on ATG gambling duty
The post 13 gambling company executives in appeal against ATG’s proposal to raise gambling tax in Sweden appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
FBMDS proudly unveils the Momentum Series, a crash gaming collection built to deliver fast-paced thrills, immersive visuals, and strong retention for online casino operators worldwide with the Piñata Rush, Magical Garden and Arctic Jumper titles.
Designed “for emotions” and “born to captivate”, the Momentum Series includes three high-performing titles — Piñata Rush, Magical Garden, and Arctic Jumper — that redefine the crash genre with dynamic gameplay, deep personalization, and stunning 3D environments.
The Momentum Series was created to give players more control, excitement, and emotional connection while providing operators with games designed for longer sessions and better retention metrics. Each title combines intuitive gameplay with high volatility, 97%+ RTP, and a responsive, mobile-first design, ensuring performance across devices and browsers. Players can personalize their experience with auto bets, double bets, and auto cashouts, adapting each round to their individual risk strategy.
Piñata Rush offers a colorful, multiplayer crash gaming experience set in lively Mexican-inspired streets. Players can track others’ progress in real time and enjoy a community-driven atmosphere that keeps engagement levels high. With 97.06% RTP and features such as Multiplayer, Auto Play, Auto Cash-Out, and a configurable Max Bet from 100x to 1000x, this crash game provides vibrant entertainment across Android, iOS, Mac OS, and Windows.
Magical Garden immerses players in a lush 3D fantasy world where serenity meets suspense. This single-player experience blends calm and thrill through Auto Play and Auto Cash-Out functions, allowing personalized strategies and a Max Bet configurable from 100x to 1000x. With 97% RTP, it offers operators a high-performing product with wide cross-platform compatibility.
Arctic Jumper brings adrenaline to the frozen north with a fully 3D single-player experience. Its immersive visuals and smooth performance are enhanced by Auto Play, Auto Cash-Out, and customizable betting options that match each player’s risk profile. Operating at 97% RTP, this title delivers consistent engagement and retention potential for competitive markets.
“The Momentum Series represents FBMDS’ evolution into crash gaming — a genre built on emotion, timing, and control,” said Renato Almeida, Director at FBMDS. “With Piñata Rush, Magical Garden, and Arctic Jumper, we’re delivering fast, flexible, and emotionally charged experiences that empower both players and operators.”
FBMDS brings a winning portfolio of innovative iGaming solutions, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology to deliver engaging, reliable, and profitable gaming experiences for operators worldwide. With a focus on slots, table games, video bingo, and now crash games, FBMDS empowers partners to scale and succeed in competitive markets.
The post Momentum Series: A Crash Gaming collection crafted for emotions in your online casino appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
- Sunny feel-good vibes for everyone: Cozy Coast now available for iOS and Android
- New trailer highlights entertaining storytelling, merge-2 puzzles, and diverse gameplay elements
- Upcoming updates with new events and challenges for long-lasting fun
A beach adventure with heart: InnoGames, one of Germany’s leading developers and publishers of mobile and browser games, today launches Cozy Coast worldwide, bringing sunny feel-good moments to smartphones and tablets. The game is now available for free on the App Store and Google Play Store. Players in selected regions have already explored the Mediterranean island of Calista and experienced the captivating story of the two protagonists Mia and Elara. The unique mix of merge-2 puzzles, exploration, and heartfelt moments is clearly resonating with players, earning 4.8 on the App Store and 4.6 on Google Play out of 5 stars.
With today’s launch, InnoGames expands the game’s language support. Alongside the existing languages German, English, and French, Cozy Coast is now also available in Italian, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish.
New Features, More Events: Regular Updates for Lasting Fun
In Cozy Coast, players accompany best friends Mia and Elara on a journey across the picturesque Mediterranean island of Calista. For Mia, the island is filled with childhood memories, but its former charm has faded. Together, they set out to restore the island. The gameplay centers on merge-2 mechanics: By skillfully combining items, players fulfill the wishes of island residents, collect resources, and restore buildings to unlock new areas of Calista. Along their journey, Mia and Elara encounter interesting characters, discover secrets, and explore the environment.
Check out the trailer on youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=hpacBlPfio4
Since the initial launch of Cozy Coast in selected regions, the development team has steadily expanded the merge-2 adventure. Customizable portraits, 3D decoration events, special quests with unique rewards, and advanced challenges for experienced players ensure there’s always something new to discover. The holiday season has also arrived: players can earn daily rewards, including the festive avatar “Winter Elara”.
Key Features of Cozy Coast
- Merge items: Strategically combine items to create new and higher-value objects
- Restore the seaside promenade: Renovate abandoned buildings to unlock new areas
- Adventure in paradise: Follow best friends Mia and Elara as they discover hidden places and uncover the secrets of a corporation with questionable intentions
- Characters with personality: Meet fascinating characters. Every encounter comes with a story – sometimes touching, sometimes mysterious, but always full of emotion
- Fresh challenges every day: Participate in competitive, daily, weekly, and seasonal events like exploration quests, puzzle collections, decoration and special story-driven missions to receive exciting rewards and enjoy lasting gameplay
- A personal touch: Use portrait customization to bring individuality and personality to every adventure.
- Unwind in a Mediterranean setting: Experience stress-free gameplay paired with a captivating story of friendship, courage, and hope
- Free to play without restrictions: Available worldwide on iOS and Android (except in Russia and China)
Cozy Coast is available on the App Store for iOS and on Google Play for Android.
For the latest news about the game, visit the official website or follow Cozy Coast on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
The post Cozy Coast Launches Worldwide: Beach Adventure from InnoGames Now Available appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
-
Latest News4 days agoBoomerang Partners has been included in 3 prestigious industry Awards, which will be presented in January 2026
-
Balkans7 days agoBragg Gaming Wins Online Platform of the Year at BEGE Awards 2025
-
Fernando Di Carlo CEO of Yellow Elephant Studios4 days ago
SCCG Announces Strategic Partnership with Yellow Elephant Studios to Expand Multi-Channel Gaming Content Worldwide
-
Latest News4 days ago
Law enforcement officers from Kazakhstan eliminated the organized financial criminal group organized by Vadim Gordievsky, Larisa Ivchenko, and Alyona Suvorova from Ukraine
-
Alyona Suvorova4 days ago
Law enforcement officers from Kazakhstan eliminated the organized financial criminal group organized by Vadim Gordievsky, Larisa Ivchenko, and Alyona Suvorova from Ukraine
-
Latest News4 days ago
LoopMe research: Increasing GenAI adoption paves the way for an explosion in mobile gaming ad potential
-
Boomerang Partners4 days ago
Boomerang Partners has been included in 3 prestigious industry Awards, which will be presented in January 2026
-
Big Game Fishing Christmas Catch7 days ago
Reflex Gaming reels in festive fun with the launch of Big Game Fishing Christmas Catch
