Malta
Prediction Markets Regulation Underway In Malta
Malta is seeking to position itself as a European hub for prediction markets, after a senior minister revealed that officials are working on new regulations, but what does the island stand to gain?
Visiting a suite of new tech sector offices last week, Economic Minister Silvio Schembri told reporters that Malta is pushing forward with plans to licence predictions operators.
“We are actively exploring the emerging field of prediction markets, an area experiencing rapid global momentum which presents significant opportunities for innovation, provided it is supported by clear, forward-looking legislative framework that enables it to develop responsibly and at scale,” he said.
Having emerged initially in the United States, prediction markets offer a kind of combination between financial trading and betting. Operators provide the ability to buy shares in two-sided contracts that will pay out depending on which event occurs.
The products have proved popular with consumers, particularly younger and more crypto-native audiences, who are attracted to its simplicity and the belief they can profit from their skill at predicting events.
Contracts can, in theory, be offered on anything — and this unrestrained freedom has led to some difficult headlines.
There have been allegations of insider trading, particularly relating to bets on the Iran war, and there have also been several contracts offered on the survival of various world leaders, leading to questions of whether it is ethical to profit from gambling on death.
The minister’s announcement pledged to allow predictions operators to “develop responsibility”, meaning Malta will need to decide whether it wants to permit the more controversial fringes of the predictions world to exist within its potential ecosystem.
Controls around insider trading and sports integrity will also need to be deeply considered, unless the island wants to repeat its damaging run-in with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Europe remains cautious
These contentious contracts may dominate the airwaves, but — as explained by Yoni Sidi of predictions operator Winpot in a recent episode of the iGaming Exchange — despite all the headline grabbing bets on war and international assassinations, the product is still driven overwhelmingly by sports contracts.
This factor is at the core of its divisive status in the US. Predictions operators have effectively sidestepped state-by-state sports betting regulations, massively reducing their compliance overheads and tax burden, while still offering customers markets on the world’s biggest sporting events.
This has riled traditional operators in the US, but it is not immediately obvious that this same dilemma would be present for predictions providers that might end up being licensed in Malta.
It is highly unlikely that the EU will introduce rules that allow event contract markets to exist outside of national gambling regulations. Meanwhile several influential regulators, inside and outside the EU bloc, have already made their suspicions about this new vertical clear.
The UK Gambling Commission said earlier this year that prediction markets are close enough betting exchanges that any operator wishing to enter the British market would need an exchange licence.
The Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA) has meanwhile threatened predictions giant Polymarket with fines of up to €840,000 if it does not leave the Dutch market. If Polymarket were ever to return to the Netherlands with a Maltese licence in hand, but no local Dutch approval, it is hard to imagine that the KSA would have a different reaction.
It begs the question of whether regulating prediction markets in Malta could ease European adoption of this new sector?
While it might not allow predictions operators to immediately passport their wares into other EU nations, predictions boosters will be hoping the project establishes a foundation of respectability and compliance that smooths their passage into local markets, even if the cooperation of local regulators will still be required.
“If Malta creates a clear framework, it could accelerate adoption across the whole industry,” said Yoni Sidi, speaking to EEGaming after Minister Schembri’s announcement.
“The challenge won’t just be just the licensing: I think it will be building products that balance liquidity, integrity, and user trust. Regulation is, I believe, a good and important first step.”
Right time, right place
The pivot to predictions also comes as Malta adapts to a growing need to diversify away from the igaming paradigm it established through its trailblazing acceptance of online gambling in the early 2000s.
There’s no doubting that the proliferation of local European licensing and the gradual judicial shutdown of EU grey markets has degraded the overall value of a Maltese licence.
That has left the island looking for alternatives: whether that be in bolstering its support for the B2B sector or to simply provide a base of operators for providers that want to offer into unregulated spaces outside of Europe.
Prediction markets and their unusual mix of financial trade and betting product potentially provides Malta with another much needed vector for growth.
“When it comes to remote gaming regulation, Malta has always been one of the leading jurisdictions. But times have changed, and state- and country-specific regulations take their toll on demand for remote licenses,” said Shmulik Segal, the founder of Media Troopers, an affiliate company that regularly works in the predictions space.
“Living in Malta and leading Media Troopers, which has a base here, I am very happy to see the Malta Gaming Authority taking the initiative to stay relevant and protect its position as a leading regulatory jurisdiction.
“Prediction markets span across cryptocurrency, finance, sports, world events, and pretty much anything people can speculate on. So the MGA getting involved is a great opportunity for the island’s economy to develop and diversify,” he said.
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Dreams of Horses Farm
SiGMA Foundation Continues its Longstanding Support for Dreams of Horses Farm in Gozo
SiGMA Foundation is continuing its longstanding support for Dreams of Horses Farm in Xagħra, Gozo, strengthening a partnership built around mental wellbeing, inclusion, rehabilitation and practical care.
The farm, a long-term beneficiary of the SiGMA Foundation, provides equine-assisted learning and animal-assisted therapy for children and adults who benefit from structured support in a calm rural setting. Its work reaches children with special needs, adults managing mental health challenges and people on rehabilitation pathways, including former inmates and individuals facing social vulnerability.
The Foundation’s support has focused on both immediate needs and the programme’s future sustainability. In 2024, the SiGMA Foundation donated EUR 50,000 towards the construction of a new block at the farm, dedicated to Equestrian Assisted Learning and Animal Assisted Therapy programmes. The continued relationship reflects an approach that looks beyond single interventions, supporting the facilities and operational foundations that keep the farm open, stable and useful to the community.
In addition to this contribution, SiGMA Foundation is donating this year a further EUR 30,000 to support the farm’s ongoing operations and help sustain its therapeutic and educational work. The continued relationship reflects an approach that looks beyond single interventions, supporting the facilities and operational foundations that allow the farm to remain open, stable and useful to the community.
Dreams of Horses Farm has become a safe and structured environment where people can work with animals, develop routine and build trust through direct care. For many participants, the farm offers a setting where progress is measured not by pressure but by small acts of connection, confidence and responsibility.
Equine-assisted learning is increasingly recognised as a meaningful form of non-clinical support. Horses respond to human behaviour without judgement. Their sensitivity can help participants notice their emotions and actions in the moment, while grooming, feeding, leading and caring for the animals can encourage patience, communication and self-regulation.
For people experiencing anxiety, developmental challenges, trauma or social reintegration, this interaction can support emotional awareness, confidence, self-esteem and the ability to relate to others. The rhythm of farm life can also provide structure and purpose, especially for those rebuilding a sense of routine.
The farm’s programmes are designed for a wide range of beneficiaries. Children with additional needs can engage with animals in ways that support communication and social development. Adults facing mental health challenges can access a setting that encourages calm, responsibility and physical presence. People moving through rehabilitation pathways are given space to reconnect with themselves and others through constructive, care-based activity.
The partnership reflects the SiGMA Foundation’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote inclusion, wellbeing and opportunities for personal development. Through its continued investment in Dreams of Horses Farm, the Foundation is helping to ensure that therapeutic and educational programmes remain accessible to those who benefit from them most.
Victor Muscat, owner of Dreams of Horses Farm, has also spoken about the importance of the relationship between people and animals, noting that such interactions provide knowledge, sensory experience and emotions that are not always transferred through conventional education.
The post SiGMA Foundation Continues its Longstanding Support for Dreams of Horses Farm in Gozo appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Bigger Piggy Bank Super Wheel
Inspired rolls out Bigger Piggy Bank Super Wheel and Cops ‘n’ Robbers Smash ‘N’ Grab
Two new online slot titles go live across the UK and Malta iGaming markets, including a Player Link community mechanic.
Inspired Entertainment, Inc. has launched two new online slot titles—Bigger Piggy Bank Super Wheel
and Cops ‘n’ Robbers Smash ‘N’ Grab—now available across the UK and Malta iGaming markets.
The company said Bigger Piggy Bank Super Wheel combines its Bigger Piggy Bank series with Player Link and a “Super Wheel” community feature. The title includes cash collection mechanics, a Free Spins Bonus and shared wheel prizes.
Cops ‘n’ Robbers Smash ‘N’ Grab brings back the Cops ‘n’ Robbers franchise with a 243-ways setup and multiple bonus mechanics. Inspired said the game includes Free Spins, Wheel Bonuses and random reel modifiers, plus optional features including Fortune Bet, Bonus Buy, Fortune Spins and Gamble, and a choice of volatility profiles.
Claire Osborne, Managing Director of Interactive at Inspired Entertainment, said: “We’re always looking for new ways to evolve proven mechanics and themes that resonate most with players, and these two releases do exactly that. Bigger Piggy Bank Super Wheel offers a fresh social-style dynamic through Player Link, creating anticipation that builds beyond the individual player experience, while Cops ‘n’ Robbers Smash ‘N’ Grab brings one of our most recognisable game franchises back with more action, features and entertainment. Together, this duo offers operators two distinctive titles that combine proven gameplay with strong engagement potential and broad market appeal. Whether it’s smashing Piggy Banks or cracking safes, these games are built to keep players coming back for more.”
The post Inspired rolls out Bigger Piggy Bank Super Wheel and Cops ‘n’ Robbers Smash ‘N’ Grab appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
CT Interactive
CT Interactive Shortlisted in Two Categories at the Malta Gaming Excellence Awards 2026
CT Interactive has been shortlisted in two prestigious categories at the Malta’s Gaming Excellence Awards (MiGEA) 2026:
• Best Industry Contributor of the Year
• Best Game Supplier of the Year
These nominations recognise CT Interactive’s ongoing commitment to quality and continuous improvement, its diverse portfolio of games and its ability to deliver tailored solutions that drive player engagement while supporting operator growth and success.
Monika Zlateva, Chief Commercial Officer at CT Interactive, said: “We are truly honored to be recognized as finalists in such highly competitive and prestigious categories. This acknowledgment inspires us to continue pushing the boundaries of excellence and delivering exceptional experiences to our partners and players worldwide.”
Through strategic partnerships and a player-centric approach, CT Interactive continues to expand its international presence, offering quality gaming content and tailored solutions that support the needs of its partners.
The post CT Interactive Shortlisted in Two Categories at the Malta Gaming Excellence Awards 2026 appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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