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MGA Publishes its 2024 Annual Report and Financial Statements

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The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has published its Annual Report and audited Financial Statements for the financial year ending 31 December 2024. The report offers an in-depth overview of the performance of Malta’s land-based and online gaming sectors during 2024, while also highlighting the Authority’s key activities and regulatory developments over the past year. It also offers a medium-term outlook for the broader gaming industry, reflecting emerging trends, regulatory shifts and the evolving market landscape.

Key Highlights from 2024

Supervisory Activity & Enforcement

In 2024, the MGA received 28 applications for new gaming licences and issued 17 licences. In addition, the Authority received a further 12 gaming licence renewal applications from operators to renew their gaming licence that was bound to expire in 2024 and issued eight licence renewals.

Low-risk games require a permit, which is valid only for a singular event and expires when the event is concluded. To this end, the MGA issued 1812 permits for non-profit tombola, 19 permits for non-profit lottery and 84 certificates for commercial communication games.

As part of the Authority’s process to assess applications, the MGA carried out just under 1200 criminal probity screening checks on authorised persons, persons holding qualifying interest, directors, key persons and any third parties providing funding or exercising control over an authorised person in both the land-based and online gaming sectors. The Fit and Proper Committee made 64 decisions, 16 of which determined that the criteria to be considered as fit and proper were not met.

The Supervisory Council reviewed 30 gaming licence applications, including new and renewal requests. Out of these, two applications were rejected on the grounds that information or submissions provided were false, misleading, inaccurate, or materially incomplete following the completion of the “Minded Letter” process. One application remained in the “Minded to Refuse” stage.

In 2024, the MGA concluded 13 compliance audits and 116 desktop reviews.

The Authority was notified by the licensees of 123 Technical Information Security Incidents, which the MGA investigated to ensure that no licensed activity was adversely affected.

The Commercial Communications Committee took seven decisions regarding possible breaches of the Gaming Commercial Communications Regulations.

In 2024, the Authority also issued 35 warnings, 25 administrative penalties amounting to €306,250 and reached three regulatory settlements amounting to €61,522. The MGA also suspended two licences and cancelled eight.

AML/CFT Oversight

43 AML/CFT compliance examinations were initiated by the FIAU or by the MGA on its behalf.

60 examinations were concluded, and 11 closure letters were issued to licensees who either addressed the identified issues or where the findings from the compliance examinations were not deemed to be serious and/or systematic.

The FIAU imposed remediation measures and/or administrative penalties on six licensees. The total administrative penalties issued amounted to just under €185,000.

The Authority conducted 37 interviews on prospective MLROs to ensure that candidates meet the required standards of knowledge and awareness of the Maltese AML/CFT legal framework.

Player Protection and Inspections

As part of its efforts to safeguard players and promote responsible gambling, the MGA resolved 3372 requests for assistance (including spill-over from 2023).

To continue safeguarding player funds, the Authority received 1897 player funds reports and carried out 27 data extractions during the reporting period.

The Authority conducted 40 responsible gambling-themed website checks and issued 27 observation letters outlining the issues and areas for improvement.

The MGA investigated 83 cases involving websites that published misleading information and issued 29 public notices on its website.

During the reporting period, the MGA carried out just over 9000 inspections on Gaming Premises (including casinos and commercial bingo halls), Controlled Gaming Premises, National Lottery Outlets including National Lottery Outlets – Controlled Gaming Premises and Non-Profit Tombola.

National and International Cooperation

In 2024, the MGA received 244 suspicious betting reports from licensees and shared 247 alerts on suspicious betting. The Authority participated in 30 investigations across different jurisdictions.

The MGA collaborated with enforcement agencies, sports governing bodies, integrity units and regulatory authorities on 31 requests for information and participated in 39 data exchanges.

The MGA received 85 requests for international collaboration from other regulators. Most of the requests received were generic requests for cooperation or requests for background checks as part of authorisations processes.

The Authority issued 59 official replies to provide feedback on the regulatory standing of its licensed operators to the relevant authorities requesting the information.

The MGA collaborated with local regulating authorities and governing bodies on 161 requests for information.

“Resilience is not just about endurance – it’s about adapting with purpose and staying focused on what matters,” CEO Charles Mizzi said.

“Over the past year, we improved how we work, strengthened our internal processes, and continued investing in the people and systems that support effective regulation. As the sector continues to evolve, the MGA remains committed to anticipating challenges, adapting with purpose, and upholding the standards that define Malta’s reputation as a trusted jurisdiction.”

The post MGA Publishes its 2024 Annual Report and Financial Statements appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Adam Pentecost Chief Revenue Officer at Gaming Corps

Gaming Corps Taps Betty to Boost Content Options for Ontario Players

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Gaming Corps, a publicly traded game development firm located in Sweden, has entered into a new distribution deal with Betty, one of the rapidly expanding iGaming operators in Ontario. The agreement enhances Betty’s platform with Gaming Corps’ growing collection of content, increasing options for players in a market where the brand currently provides over 2,800 slot titles.

Thanks to the collaboration, Betty customers will soon enjoy the latest slot releases from Gaming Corps, featuring 3 Easter Pigs, the latest chapter in the well-known 3 Pigs series, which adds a new seasonal element to one of the studio’s most iconic franchises. Players will also gain access to the latest release, Vendetta Fury, from DEGEN Studios, Gaming Corps’ newest RGS partner.

This launch leverages the solid success of the broader 3 Pigs franchise, featuring games like 3 Pigs of Olympus and 3 Pigs of the Caribbean that are already part of Gaming Corps’ collection. These are included with the studio’s wider range of Slots, Plinko, Mine, Crash, and Table games.

Adam Pentecost, Chief Revenue Officer at Gaming Corps, said: “Ontario has become one of the most exciting regulated markets in North America, and Betty has built an impressive reputation by offering players both quality and variety. We’re delighted to partner with such a progressive operator and look forward to showcasing how our latest content can bring something genuinely different to their already rich portfolio.”

Paraskeva Smirnova, Senior Casino Operations Manager at Betty, added: “Betty has built its identity on being a homegrown Ontario brand with a clear focus on what local players want. Working with Gaming Corps allows us to continue that mission, adding content that stands out and gives our players something new to discover alongside the thousands of titles we already host.”

The post Gaming Corps Taps Betty to Boost Content Options for Ontario Players appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Adam Pentecost Chief Revenue Officer at Gaming Corps

Gaming Corps partners with Betty to expand content choice in Ontario

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Gaming Corps has signed a new distribution agreement with Betty, one of Ontario’s fastest-growing iGaming operators. The deal adds Gaming Corps’ expanding suite of content to Betty’s platform, strengthening the choice for players in a market where the brand already offers more than 2,800 slot titles.

Through the partnership, Betty customers will soon have access to the latest Gaming Corps slot releases, including 3 Easter Pigs, the newest instalment in the popular 3 Pigs series, which introduces a fresh seasonal twist on one of the studio’s most recognisable franchises. Players will also have access to Gaming Corps’ newest RGS partner, DEGEN Studios’, latest release, Vendetta Fury.

This launch builds on the strong performance of the wider 3 Pigs franchise, with titles such as 3 Pigs of Olympus and 3 Pigs of the Caribbean already established within Gaming Corps’ portfolio. These sit alongside the studio’s broader offering of Slots, Plinko, Mine, Crash and Table games.

Adam Pentecost, Chief Revenue Officer at Gaming Corps, said: “Ontario has become one of the most exciting regulated markets in North America, and Betty has built an impressive reputation by offering players both quality and variety. We’re delighted to partner with such a progressive operator and look forward to showcasing how our latest content can bring something genuinely different to their already rich portfolio.”

Paraskeva Smirnova, Senior Casino Operations Manager at Betty, added: “Betty has built its identity on being a homegrown Ontario brand with a clear focus on what local players want. Working with Gaming Corps allows us to continue that mission, adding content that stands out and gives our players something new to discover alongside the thousands of titles we already host.”

The post Gaming Corps partners with Betty to expand content choice in Ontario appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

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Digital Isle of Man

The Isle of Man: Where eGaming Software Businesses Are Thriving

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Introduction

The global eGaming industry is highly competitive, technologically driven and heavily regulated. For software providers operating in this space, choosing the right jurisdiction is critical to long-term success. The Isle of Man is trusted by industry-leading suppliers such as Microgaming, Games Global, 3Oaks, Arrise (Pragmatic Play), and Altenar, to name a few, and has established itself as one of the world’s leading hubs for eGaming through a unique combination of tax efficiency, regulatory credibility, stability and technological infrastructure. This article explores the key advantages of being located on the Isle of Man.

Competitive Tax Environment

One of the most compelling reasons to base an eGaming software company in the Isle of Man is its favourable tax regime. Suppliers based on the Island receive the following advantages to maximise profitability and support international expansion:

  • 0% Corporation Tax
  • 0% Capital Gains Tax
  • 0% Inheritance Tax

Reputation and Credibility

The Isle of Man is widely recognised as a tier one licensing jurisdiction. The Gambling Supervision Commission’s (GSC) enforcement of strict compliance standards means that attaining a licence is a testament to the integrity and good standing of the supplier. Licensed suppliers gain reputational benefits, which in turn create greater opportunities to engage with partners, including operators, aggregators, banks, and payment providers.

For more information regarding the Isle of Man’s software supplier licence, Global Gaming Solutions has released other articles explaining in detail what distinguishes the Island from other licensing options.

However, for Isle of Man software suppliers, a licence is not a mandatory requirement. This places the Isle of Man in an ideal position for startup suppliers, offering unique tax, infrastructure and Government driven financial incentives, with an attractive opportunity to expand into the regulated sector once their concept and strategy are proven.

Playzia, a client of Global Gaming Solutions, has leveraged this opportunity to establish operations in the Isle of Man and has built the brand into a recognised international name, partnering with leading operators and securing exclusive titles such as Love Island.

Access to Global Markets

eGaming software companies based in the Isle of Man enjoy significant operational flexibility. As an outward-facing jurisdiction, the Island maintains a strong international reputation (particularly across Europe and Asia), and obtaining a local licence does not restrict suppliers’ target markets outside sanctioned or blacklisted jurisdictions or those with local regulatory regimes. As such, the Isle of Man provides suppliers with the reach needed to establish their brands in a global market.

In an industry where market access can determine success, an Isle of Man company, and more so a licence holder, has greater access to key partners through its reputation and credibility than “competitor” jurisdictions such as Curacao, Belize, Anjouan and Tobique. As a result, companies can scale internationally with fewer operational barriers, making the Island an ideal base for growth-oriented businesses.

As global markets mature and establish local regulatory regimes, the Isle of Man remains relevant. The ability to hold regulated licenses such as UK, Ontario, Irish, and Finnish licenses through an Isle of Man company allows suppliers to maintain their advantageous position and global focus, whilst also utilising their structure to enter competitive regulated markets. As evidence of this, Global Gaming Solutions has supported leading aggregator St8, securing successful Ontario and UK licences to scale rapidly whilst maintaining operations on the Island.

Advanced Technological Infrastructure

The Isle of Man offers world-class digital infrastructure tailored to the eGaming sector’s needs. High-speed internet connectivity, secure data centres, and reliable telecommunications systems provide a strong foundation for suppliers operating internationally.

The jurisdiction also supports emerging technologies such as cryptocurrency payments, which are increasingly utilised operationally by suppliers. CoinCorner, a local Bitcoin service provider, boasts over 350,000 users and 10 years of service, providing on-the-ground support to local and international businesses.

Government Support and Business-Friendly Environment

The Isle of Man government actively supports the eGaming sector, the GSC has a legacy as an approachable and friendly regulator, whilst Digital Isle of Man frequently attends and hosts eGaming events and meets with prospective businesses to represent the Island as a global tech centre. As such, businesses are supported and encouraged at all levels.

Local Expertise

The Island’s local high-tech sectors, including eGaming, data hosting, blockchain, and AI initiatives, have created a highly skilled workforce that enables and incentivises well-established names such as Microgaming, Games Global, and Arrise (Pragmatic Play) to build local, boots-on-the-ground operations in the Isle of Man.

For start-up operations, the Isle of Man has a wide range of trusted service partners with decades of industry experience to support and advise future leaders. However, as operations grow, the Island makes a strong case for local offices and a headquarters. The Islands’ talent pool of industry-leading compliance and operations professionals enables suppliers to expand existing operations and build substance whilst maintaining the tax, infrastructure, and trusted relationships they have established.

Conclusion

For eGaming software companies, the Isle of Man presents a highly attractive and unique proposition. Companies can not only reduce costs but also enhance their reputation, expand into international markets, and operate within a stable and forward-thinking ecosystem.

By choosing the Isle of Man, suppliers gain immediate tax incentives and credibility, but also future-proof their investment. Clear and realistic opportunities to obtain local and international licences, access a wide network of partners, and establish local offices mean that the Isle of Man is not just a tax-efficient structure but also a commitment to building a reputable brand as a future industry leader.

The post The Isle of Man: Where eGaming Software Businesses Are Thriving appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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