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The MGA Publishes its 2019 Annual Report and Financial Statements
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- 89 applications for a gaming licence were received in 2019; 44 applications were either rejected or withdrawn and 53 licences were issued during the period under review, including licences the application for which had been received during the previous year;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.”
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GamingTECH Awards 2026
N1 Partners Wins Best Affiliate Program at GamingTECH Awards 2026
N1 Partners won Best Affiliate Program in Central and Eastern Europe at the GamingTECH Awards 2026, presented at the HIPTHER Prague Summit, marking another milestone in its growth and industry recognition.
This achievement highlights the strength of N1 Partners’ affiliate ecosystem and its consistent focus on delivering performance-driven solutions for partners across key markets.
Alexa Bond, Head of Affiliates at N1 Partners, commented:
“This award reflects the work we put into building more than just an affiliate program. We focus on creating a strong, reliable ecosystem where partners can scale with confidence, supported by transparent processes, high-performing products, and a team that understands the realities of the market. It’s great to see this approach recognized at the industry level, and we see it as motivation to keep moving forward.”
N1 Partners continues to stand out through a combination of high-converting brands, flexible partnership models, and a product-driven approach to retention and monetization. With strong Reg2Dep performance in Tier-1 GEOs, tailored offers, and a growing portfolio of casino and sportsbook brands, the company provides partners with reliable tools to scale and maximize revenue.
A key factor behind this recognition is N1 Partners’ focus on performance-driven initiatives that directly support partner growth. One of the latest examples is the N1 SEO Traffic Cup, a flagship affiliate tournament designed for SEO traffic. The campaign challenges partners to compete by driving high-quality traffic, improving their N1 Cup Score, and climbing the leaderboard to unlock premium rewards.
N1 Partners would like to extend our sincere thanks to HIPTHER for this recognition and to all our partners whose trust and collaboration continue to drive our growth. This achievement would not be possible without you.
N1 Partners is a multi-brand affiliate program and direct advertiser. The company unites 14+ casino and betting brands, operates across Tier-1 GEOs, delivers Reg2Dep rates of up to 70%, and offers competitive deals for top partners — CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 45%. Trusted by 14,000+ partners, N1 Partners is recognized for its transparency, flexibility, and partner-first approach — where people and communication quality remain the foundation of long-term success.
The post N1 Partners Wins Best Affiliate Program at GamingTECH Awards 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Baroness Fiona Twycross
BGC AGM 2026 Discussed About Surging Illegal Gambling Black Market
The Betting and Gaming Council AGM 2026 has discussed about the surging illegal gambling black market. As speakers repeatedly highlighted, 1.5 million people in Britain are already gambling on unlicensed sites and staking around £10bn a year outside UK regulation.
That concern is only set to intensify in the coming weeks as the Government considers further regulatory changes. In particular, Financial Risk Assessments (FRAs), which would require customers to provide detailed financial information such as bank statements and will only drive more customers towards unlicensed operators.
Chaired by broadcasters Gloria de Piero and Liam Halligan, the event began with a keynote from the Gambling Minister, followed by a discussion with BGC Chief Executive Grainne Hurst. A panel on the illegal market and the Gambling Commission’s assessment of the challenge followed, alongside research, polling and personal testimony from across the industry highlighting the scale of the problem.
Baroness Fiona Twycross, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for Gambling, opened proceedings by addressing the tensions in current policy. She acknowledged that the gambling duty changes announced in November’s Budget were “extremely challenging for the sector, particularly for online operators,” and that they would “significantly affect business decisions and staff.” She defended the government’s position, arguing the changes were necessary to support public finances and would raise over a billion pounds a year for the Treasury.
The minister was clear: “Illegal gambling causes harm to vulnerable consumers,” she said, adding that it also damages the regulated sector. She announced an additional £26m for the Gambling Commission over the next three years and publicly confirmed the establishment of an Illegal Gambling Taskforce. This will bring together major companies including Google, Mastercard, TikTok and Visa alongside law enforcement and advertising bodies with a focus on illegal payments, advertising and cross-agency collaboration. She also announced a forthcoming consultation on the banning of unlicensed sport sponsorships, including in the Premier League. For many in the industry, this welcome action on enforcement will sit uneasily alongside tax policy that they believe is actively driving consumers towards the harmful black market.
The post BGC AGM 2026 Discussed About Surging Illegal Gambling Black Market appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
BetPlays
BetPlays Announces Strategic Acquisition into a Premier iGaming Brand to Elevate Platform and Crypto Capabilities
BetPlays has announced its integration into a major iGaming brand group. The move puts BetPlays in a strong position to elevate its services, with a robust technological infrastructure for quick expansion. This platform upgrade brings a faster and more efficient user experience and enhanced crypto compatibility. All accounts, wallets and profiles remain secure and intact. Players will enjoy a more secure experience with enhanced crypto compatibility and improved support options.
The integration brings a robust technological infrastructure to the popular BetPlays platform. The goal is to enhance operational efficiency through an upgraded, seamless user experience. With a stronger tech footing and enhanced crypto compatibility, BetPlays is looking ahead of the curve for continued growth in this competitive sector.
The full integration was completed on March 31. It deliver Betplays powerful new features to a familiar brand. BetPlays’ fanbase remains on the platform they know and love, with profile and payments intact. Additionally, users will benefit from a faster, more reliable system and consolidated resources.
The post BetPlays Announces Strategic Acquisition into a Premier iGaming Brand to Elevate Platform and Crypto Capabilities appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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