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The MGA Publishes its 2020 Annual Report & Financial Statements

Published

5 years ago

July 5, 2021

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA/Authority) is publishing its Annual Report and audited Financial Statements for the financial year ending 31 December 2020. The report provides an overview of the work performed throughout the year and highlights major projects undertaken by the Authority throughout the same period. In addition, the report also outlines the performance of the Maltese gaming industry during 2020 as well as a medium-term outlook into the future, followed by a detailed report explaining key statistics for the land-based and online gaming sectors in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The full report may be accessed on this link.

The following are the key highlights from the Annual Report covering the year 2020:

Between January and December 2020, following information which emerged from compliance audits, compliance reviews, and formal investigations, the Authority issued 69 warnings, suspended 3 licences, and cancelled another 12. In addition, the MGA issued a total of 24 administrative penalties.
In 2020, 30 compliance audits were conducted by the Compliance and AML function, one of which related to a live studio, and 324 desktop reviews were carried out, of which 98 identified deficiencies which were accordingly escalated to the Compliance and Enforcement Committee.
In 2020, 8 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.
During the twelve-month period of 2020, a total of 1,475 criminal probity screening checks were undertaken, an increase of 13.5% when compared to the year 2019.
In terms of AML/CFT, during the twelve-month period of 2020, a total of 27 supervisory examinations on online gaming licensees were conducted by the MGA, of which 10 were full scope examinations, 3 were targeted examinations, 8 were thematic examinations, and 6 were supervisory meetings.
In 2020, the MGA conducted a total of 65 interviews with prospective MLROs and key persons carrying out the AML/CFT function to determine the knowledge and suitability of each candidate, out of which 40 were approved, 17 were conditionally approved and 8 were rejected.
The Commercial Communication Committee of the MGA took action against 10 adverts or promotions that, in the opinion of the Committee, inappropriately exploited the COVID-19 pandemic.
During 2020 the Player Support Unit received a total of 5,625 requests for assistance, a 58% increase over 2019, potentially stemming at least partly from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on player behaviour.
In its efforts to boost knowledge sharing and cooperation with international counterparts, the MGA hosted a delegation of members of the Lotteries and Gaming Board and the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
The Authority received 67 international cooperation requests from other regulators and sent 47 such requests, with the majority referring to requests for background checks as part of an authorisation process.
During the year 2020, a total of 168 requests for information specifically relating to the manipulation of sports competitions or breaches in sports rules were submitted by enforcement agencies, sport governing bodies, integrity units, and other regulatory bodies. Additionally, a total of 288 suspicious betting reports from licensees and other concerned parties were received.
During the period under review, the Authority was a direct participant in 20 different investigations across the globe relating to manipulation of sports competitions or breaches in sports rules.
Recognising the importance of establishing data sharing agreements with relevant stakeholders, including sport governing bodies and other platforms whose function includes the detection of suspicious betting activities, the MGA signed a total of five agreements, namely a data sharing agreement with the International Cricket Council, the Swedish Football Association, the Darts Regulation Authority, the World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association, and the Slovak Football Association.
During 2020, the MGA and the FIAU signed an updated version of the MoU which brought forth better cooperative instruments for the supervision of AML/CFT in the gaming sector.
The Authority entered into an MoU with the Malta Business Registry with the aim of facilitating the ongoing close communication between authorities and the effective sharing of information.
With the aim of increasing cooperation with our international counterparts, an MoU was agreed to by the MGA and the Dutch Kansspelautoriteit (the Dutch Gambling Authority) on the basis that the two authorities will support each other by sharing best practices and information in support of their responsibilities at law, whilst also engaging in discussions on policy matters of interest.
The MGA also enhanced its collaboration with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations by creating a process whereby any entity that applies for a non-profit game is only issued with a permit if such an entity is a registered and compliant voluntary organisation.
Recognising the importance of regular dialogue with stakeholders, throughout 2020, over 55 external communications were sent, providing a synopsis of various updates and developments within the Authority and industry.

In publishing this report, the CEO, Dr Carl Brincat said: “The year 2020 will undoubtedly be remembered for the challenges the pandemic presented us with, and I am proud of the Authority’s employees who worked tirelessly to ensure that we continued to perform the functions required of us at law. Keeping the ship steady during a challenging year serves as a strong foundation for us to look ahead with renewed commitment to keep building on the positives and improve on our shortcomings, to reach new heights in our regulatory approach.”

Artificial intelligence

Kaizen Gaming rolls out GenAI-powered Betano Trivia across 20 markets

Published

6 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

kaizen-gaming-rolls-out-genai-powered-betano-trivia-across-20-markets

Kaizen Gaming has launched Betano Trivia, a live trivia product it describes as the world’s first fully GenAI-powered live trivia experience. The free-to-play game is now available across the 20 markets where Kaizen Gaming operates.

The product was developed by Kaizen Labs, the company’s innovation incubator. Kaizen Gaming said Betano Trivia uses generative AI to power the avatar presenter, create dynamic trivia content, and generate supporting audiovisual assets, positioning it as a new engagement format inside the Betano brand.

Players are invited to answer questions spanning sports, entertainment and pop culture and compete for prizes, according to the company. Kaizen Gaming also tied the timing of the launch to heightened global football attention, pitching the game as a second-screen-style entertainment layer for fans.

George Kourakos, Director of Innovation at Kaizen Gaming, stated: “Betano Trivia demonstrates how AI can be used to create entirely new forms of entertainment and customer engagement. At Kaizen Gaming we never use technology for its own sake. We have a clear goal to elevate the world-class gaming experience we offer to our customers. What makes this achievement particularly special is that it was developed entirely by our internal teams, combining creativity, engineering excellence and a shared passion for innovation across the board.”

Kaizen Gaming framed the release as part of its broader generative AI push, arguing that internal teams can use the technology to scale new product experiences across multiple regulated markets.

The post Kaizen Gaming rolls out GenAI-powered Betano Trivia across 20 markets appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

ELA Games

ELA Games adds slots portfolio to Fonbet.gr in Greece

Published

7 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

ela-games-adds-slots-portfolio-to-fonbet.gr-in-greece

Deal expands ELA Games’ distribution under its Hellenic Gaming Commission licence, with localized titles now live on Fonbet’s Greek site.

ELA Games has partnered with Fonbet to roll out a selection of its slot titles to Greek players via Fonbet.gr.

The supplier said the integration makes its portfolio available through Fonbet’s Greek-facing operation, including titles such as Piñatas Festival, Flame Fruit Frenzy and Riches Express. The release positions the launch as a lobby expansion for Fonbet and a further distribution step for ELA Games in the market.

ELA Games said the deal builds on its existing presence in Greece, citing its Hellenic Gaming Commission licence. The company also claimed active users in Greece rose 86.3% over the last two quarters, while bet counts increased 201.9% over the same period.

Yaroslav Soloshenko, Business Development Team Lead at ELA Games, said: “Partnering with Fonbet is a brilliant step forward for our brand visibility in Greece. The Greek market means a great deal to us and has been a strong focus for our growth strategy recently. Having our content available on their well-respected platform allows us to showcase the true depth of our portfolio to a dedicated audience. We welcome the opportunity to offer players and partners a full, detailed presentation of the immersive mechanics, unique art styles, and gamified features our team puts into every single release.”

The post ELA Games adds slots portfolio to Fonbet.gr in Greece appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Compliance Updates

HIPTHER Launches HALLO: The Standard in Compliance Expertise

Published

9 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Wladimir P.

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A Pioneering Premium Platform Connecting Organizations with Elite Compliance Professionals, Legal Operations Experts, and Trusted Industry Vendors

Europe — HIPTHER proudly announces the launch of HALLO (Highly Aligned Leaders in Legal Operations), a pioneering platform redefining how organizations discover, connect with, and engage compliance expertise.

Embodying the tagline “The Standard in Compliance Expertise,” HALLO combines a premium professional directory, industry intelligence hub, community platform, and visibility ecosystem into a single destination for compliance professionals and the organizations that rely on them.

At a time when regulation is becoming more complex across gaming, fintech, payments, AI, cybersecurity, digital identity, AML, blockchain, and emerging technologies, the need for trusted expertise has never been greater. HALLO addresses that challenge by creating a structured environment where qualified professionals, legal operations specialists, compliance leaders, and service providers can be discovered, evaluated, and engaged with confidence.

Beyond a Directory

HALLO is built as more than a professional directory.

It serves as a dedicated ecosystem for compliance excellence, enabling organizations to identify the right expertise while giving professionals a platform to showcase their experience, achievements, thought leadership, and industry contributions.

Memberships Tailored for Professionals and Organizations

HALLO offers flexible participation options designed to support everyone from independent compliance professionals to large organizations building regulatory, legal, and compliance capabilities.

There is an Individual Professional Membership available as well as an Enterprise Membership for teams and organizations seeking expanded access, visibility, and networking opportunities. All memberships include a 14-day free trial.

Free Expert Profiles, Premium Visibility Opportunities

One of HALLO’s core principles is making compliance expertise discoverable.

Compliance professionals can join HALLO free of charge as Experts, creating publicly visible profiles that showcase their experience, areas of specialization, professional achievements, and industry expertise.

Whether joining as an independent expert, a growing consultancy, or an established enterprise, HALLO provides multiple pathways to build credibility, expand reach, and engage with a highly targeted audience of compliance, legal, regulatory, and operational decision-makers.

Introducing HALLO Resources: A Living Compliance Intelligence Hub

Alongside its directory and community functions, HALLO launches with one of its most powerful features: HALLO Resources.

The Resources section serves as a continuously updated compliance intelligence center featuring more than 17,000 regulatory and compliance-focused articles, bringing together regulatory updates, jurisdictional developments, enforcement news, legal analysis, compliance guidance, and industry intelligence from across the HIPTHER media network.

Designed to support both practitioners and decision-makers, HALLO Resources offers:

Daily updates with continuously refreshed content
Powerful search functionality by topic, jurisdiction, and keyword
Open access with no login required
Coverage spanning gaming, fintech, AI, payments, AML, digital policy, cybersecurity, and regulatory affairs

By combining expert discovery with practical intelligence, HALLO is a daily destination for compliance professionals.

Advertising & Thought Leadership

HALLO also introduces premium visibility opportunities through the Wayseers Booklet, the annual compliance handbook distributed at HIPTHER conferences across Europe.

The publication reaches more than 1,500 professionals across gaming, fintech, AI, compliance, and regulatory sectors, creating a unique opportunity for organizations to showcase expertise, promote services, and contribute thought leadership to the wider compliance community.

Advertising opportunities range from directory listings to half-page, full-page, and double-page placements through Standard, Premium, and Platinum packages.

Furthermore, HALLO serves as a trusted source of compliance expertise for HIPTHER’s media and conference initiatives, creating additional opportunities for members to contribute thought leadership, industry insights, and expert perspectives.

Building the Future of Compliance Collaboration

With regulatory complexity increasing across industries and jurisdictions, HALLO arrives at a critical moment for businesses navigating compliance, governance, risk management, legal operations, and regulatory change.

Zoltan Tuendik, Co-Founder & Head of Business at HIPTHER, stated about HALLO: “Navigating the modern regulatory landscape requires more than just standard legal advice; it demands highly specialized, agile compliance expertise. With the launch of HALLO, we are bridging the critical gap between organizations facing complex global standards and the elite professionals who can guide them through. By combining an active directory with a massive intelligence hub, we are setting a new standard for compliance collaboration and empowering businesses to move forward with absolute confidence.”