Latest News

The MGA Publishes its 2019 Annual Report and Financial Statements

Published

6 years ago

June 23, 2020

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA/Authority) is publishing its Annual Report and Financial Statements for the financial year ending 31 December 2019, providing an overview of the work performed throughout the year by the Authority. In addition, the report also includes a summary of the performance of the Maltese gaming industry during 2019 and an outlook for the medium-term future.

The following are the key highlights from the Annual Report covering the year 2019:

The Authority cancelled 14 licences and suspended 11. In addition, it issued 20 warnings, 89 Notices of Breach and 23 administrative fines imposed on operators following various regulatory breaches;
89 applications for a gaming licence were received in 2019; 44 applications were either rejected or withdrawn and 53 licences were issued during the period under review, including licences the application for which had been received during the previous year;
15 individuals and companies were deemed not to be up to the Authority’s probity standards by the Fit & Proper Committee, mainly on the basis of mitigating the risks of money laundering or funding of terrorism;
48 audits were conducted by the Compliance and AML function;
69 international cooperation requests were sent by the MGA in 2019, predominantly as part of the criminal probity assessments, with the Authority receiving 58 international co-operation requests;
1,300 criminal probity screening assessments were carried out in 2019;
The Authority revised its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit, and also signed an MOU with the Malta Police Force, aimed at strengthening the fight again corruption and money laundering;
As at the end of December 2019, the number of companies licensed by the MGA, including both online and land-based entities, stood at 294.

In publishing this report, Heathcliff Farrugia, Chief Executive Officer of the Malta Gaming Authority, stated that: “Overall, 2019 was a very challenging but at the same time rewarding year for the MGA. The increased focus on compliance and enforcement which was prevalent throughout the year has yielded tangible results for the Authority.

This focus led to internal restructuring for the better achievement of the MGA’s objectives, and was also pivotal in the Authority’s drive towards the setting up of the Sports Integrity Unit, tasked with increasing the commitment towards the fight against the manipulation of sports competitions. In its first months, this unit has already signed important collaboration agreements with international sport bodies in order to tackle betting-related corruption and ensure the integrity of sports.

Such collaboration, both at a local and international level was high on the agenda in 2019, and will continue being crucial in 2020, as a key determining factor in the ongoing fight against crime, corruption and money laundering.”

Brazil

RubyPlay expands Brazilian presence through partnership with Esportes da Sorte

Published

15 minutes ago

February 12, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

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RubyPlay goes live with Esportes da Sorte, the flagship Esportes Gaming Brasil Group brand, to elevate player engagement across Brazil’s regulated market

RubyPlay, a studio-based content ecosystem, has strengthened its position in Brazil after partnering with leading online casino operator, Esportes da Sorte.

The launch features a selection of RubyPlay’s most popular titles, including Mad Hit® Diamonds and Mad Hit® Mr Coin. Content from Koala Games, RubyPlay’s market-focused studio with a strong focus on the Brazilian market, has also gone live with Esportes da Sorte, including Voltage Blitz® Rapid, 3 Big Barrels® Buffalo, and Voltage Blitz® Vortex.

The launch with the tier 1 operator forms part of RubyPlay’s wider expansion strategy in Brazil’s regulated market and is part of a broader go-live across the Esportes Gaming Brasil group, which includes additional launches with group brands LOTTU and OnaBet.

RubyPlay has established a strong track record of delivering high-performing, localised content tailored to Brazilian player preferences, driving engagement and delivering value for its partners.

By combining RubyPlay’s distinctive Latin American game design expertise with Esportes da Sorte’s strong market presence, the partnership is set to deliver a compelling entertainment experience to a broad audience of online players across Brazil’s rapidly growing market.

Dima Reiderman, CCO at RubyPlay, said: Brazil is a central part of our growth strategy, and working alongside an influential operator like Esportes da Sorte marks an important milestone in our growth strategy.

“Their firm regional presence, paired with our localised, high-performing content, creates a powerful proposition that we believe will resonate strongly with players.”

Hugo Baungartner, CBO at Esportes da Sorte, added: “We are committed to offering our players engaging, high-quality gaming experiences, and partnering with RubyPlay represents an important step forward in that journey.

RubyPlay’s strong focus on Brazil and its investment in truly localised content make them a highly valuable partner, giving us confidence in the long-term success of this collaboration and in our continued growth within the regulated market.”

The post RubyPlay expands Brazilian presence through partnership with Esportes da Sorte appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Bet Rite

Spintec Expands into Canada with Bet Rite

Published

1 hour ago

February 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

spintec-expands-into-canada-with-bet-rite

Spintec is expanding its footprint in North America by partnering with Bet Rite in the Canadian gambling sector. As a prominent developer of electronic table games, Spintec invested significant effort into locating a partner who comprehends the distinctiveness of the Canadian casino industry. Bet Rite is taking on the position of Spintec’s distributor in Canada, leveraging its established reputation and substantial industry knowledge. This collaboration combines global innovation with local expertise in a partnership that is helping Spintec advance its expansion objectives in North America.

Bet Rite’s establishment is rooted in years of industry expertise. The firm focuses on providing top-notch gaming solutions designed specifically for Canadian operators. They aim to provide a sole vendor connection that grants access to numerous top-tier product lines, establishing them as a reliable partner nationwide.

For Spintec, collaborating with a company that prioritizes service, product excellence, and enduring relationships is vital, and Bet Rite is dedicated to prioritizing customer needs. With a solid sales network and a reputation for dependability, their market stance is highly strong.

Through this collaboration, Spintec is guaranteeing that their creative products receive backing from an attentive, community-focused service. The initial product line to be launched in the Canadian market will be Spintec’s premier Charisma line. Charisma’s design, flexibility, innovation, and wide range of product customizations will undoubtedly make it a top seller in Canada as well.

Billy Maclellan, Bet Rite President, says: “Our company has grown by offering best-in-class suppliers the local support that they need. Spintec fits the mold perfectly and together we are well placed to make this partnership a glowing success”

Goran Sovilj, Spintec’s Chief Commercial Officer, agrees: “Bet Rite’s deep understanding of the Canadian market makes this alliance very promising. We are always excited to introduce innovative and exciting products to new markets, especially when our distributors are as experienced and knowledgeable as Bet Rite.”

The post Spintec Expands into Canada with Bet Rite appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Industry News

Ex-Paysafe VP Justin Fraser takes chief revenue officer role at Yaspa to drive global growth

Published

1 hour ago

February 12, 2026

Wladimir P.

ex-paysafe-vp-justin-fraser-takes-chief-revenue-officer-role-at-yaspa-to-drive-global-growth

Yaspa, the renowned fintech focusing on instant payments and identity solutions, today reveals the appointment of Justin Fraser as its Chief Revenue Officer.

Fraser becomes part of Yaspa’s executive team during a crucial period of global growth. He has more than 20 years of commercial leadership experience in the payments ecosystem, having occupied senior leadership positions at notable industry companies like Cybersource, Visa, and Paysafe.

Having a career centered on maneuvering through intricate payment environments, he offers knowledge in rapidly expanding, regulated sectors such as iGaming, cryptocurrency, and financial technology.

As the new CRO, Fraser will manage Yaspa’s worldwide commercial strategy, concentrating on expanding the company’s Intelligent Payment platform, which integrates open banking with AI-powered customer insights, throughout the UK, Europe, and North America.

Yaspa CEO James Neville said: “We are thrilled to welcome Justin to the team during this period of rapid acceleration. His deep expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments and his proven track record in scaling payment solutions are invaluable assets as we expand our footprint in the US and beyond. Justin’s appointment further strengthens our leadership as we continue to help businesses lower costs, grow revenues, and enhance financial compliance through open banking.”

Justin Fraser said: “Yaspa is at the forefront of the shift toward real-time payments. The company’s unique blend of open banking and AI-verified insights solves genuine friction for merchants, particularly in industries like iGaming. I am excited to join such an innovative team and look forward to driving the next phase of our commercial growth globally.”

Fraser will collaborate closely with the recently strengthened US team, which includes the newly appointed US Sales Lead, Peter Kula, and US Senior Solutions Manager, Jackson Esoda.

This statement comes after a year of significant growth for Yaspa, highlighted by increasing its workforce from 15 to 75 employees and successfully securing a $12 million investment round spearheaded by Discerning Capital. In this timeframe, the firm broadened its international presence with new ventures in Atlanta and Leeds, while winning esteemed honors such as the 2025 Payments Award for Real-Time Payments Innovation and a spot on the CB Insights Top 100 Fintech list.

The post Ex-Paysafe VP Justin Fraser takes chief revenue officer role at Yaspa to drive global growth appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.