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The MGA publishes its 2021 Annual Report and Financial Statements

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The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA/Authority) is publishing its Annual Report and audited Financial Statements for the financial year ending 31 December 2021. The report provides an overview of the Authority’s achievements during the year under review and outlines the performance of the Maltese gaming industry during 2021, coupled with a medium-term outlook into the future. This is also followed by a detailed report explaining key statistics for the land-based and online gaming sectors.

  Supervisory Activities

  • 54 on-site compliance audits were conducted and 230 desktop reviews were carried out, accounting for 65.5% coverage of the licensees base during 2021, accompanied by additional AML/CFT compliance examinations that are carried out by the FIAU, or the MGA on its behalf. Following information which emerged from compliance audits, compliance reviews and formal investigations, the Authority issued 64 warnings and cancelled seven (7) licences. In addition, the MGA issued a total of 31 administrative penalties as well as three (3) regulatory settlements, with a collective total financial penalty of €176,016.
  • An additional 10 licensees were subject to enforcement measures by the FIAU, ranging from written reprimands to administrative penalties, based on the breaches identified during examinations carried out in previous years, including by the MGA. In total these amounted to just over €863,000.
  • 13 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. An additional three (3) applications were rejected by the Supervisory Council.
  • Over 1,150 criminal probity screening checks were undertaken on individuals., shareholders and ultimate beneficial owners, key persons and other employees, and companies from both the land-based and online gaming sectors.
  • The Authority continued with its commitment to supervise its online gaming licensees and conducted 91 interviews with prospective MLROs and key persons carrying out the AML/CFT function to determine the knowledge and suitability of each candidate.
  • The Commercial Communication Committee of the MGA issued a total of 21 letters of Breach, of which 13 operators were found to be in breach of the Commercial Communications Regulations, (S.L. 583.09).
  • In its efforts to protect players and encourage responsible gambling the Authority assisted a total of 6,170 players that requested assistance, covering most of the cases received during 2021 and the spill-over from 2020.
  • The MGA also investigated 79 cases of websites having misleading references to the Authority and published a total of 61 notices on its website with the aim to prevent the public from falling victim to such scams. Furthermore, an additional 26 responsible gambling website checks were conducted.
  • A sectoral risk assessment on money laundering and funding of terrorism-related risks affecting the land-based and online gaming sectors in Malta was undertaken.

Improvements in Efficiency and Effectiveness

  • With the aim of reducing any unnecessary bureaucracy on its licensees, the Authority has reviewed the Gaming Licence Application Process as well as launched the Personal Portfolio.
  • Improvements have been made in the way non-compliance matters are notified to the relevant licensee, and how operators are directed to rectify their position.
  • The MGA published amendments to the ‘Guidance on the use of Innovative Technology Arrangements and the acceptance of Virtual Financial Assets and Virtual Tokens through the implementation of a Sandbox Environment’.
  • Amendments to Article 22 of the Player Protection Directive (Directive 2 of 2018) were published, accompanied by a policy paper on ‘Amending the Return to Player Minimum Percentage’. Such amendments aim to streamline the minimum Return to Player percentage applicable to licensees across all sectors.
  • A series of amendments to the Gaming Authorisations and Compliance Directive (Directive 3 of 2018) were published, including the extension of the applicability of suspicious betting reporting requirements to B2B licensees as well as broader amendments to the key functions. The latter was accompanied by the introduction of the Key Function Eligibility Criteria Policy which outlines the requirements the persons holding the various key functions are expected to fulfil in order to satisfactorily perform these duties which are vital for the applicable regulatory outcomes.
  • A public consultation on the Applicability of the System and Compliance Audit Service Provider Guidelines to Financial Audit was issued with the aim of communicating and refining the proposal being put forward in relation to revised Guidelines and in order to promote a greater understanding of the proposal itself.
  • The Authority established a dedicated Business Transformation team, tasked with assisting each of the MGA’s directorates to continuously re-assess and improve processes, to increase efficiency and reduce administrative burdens on the MGA and industry alike, and to focus resources where these truly provide added value.

National and International Cooperation

  • A new alerting process was introduced vis-à-vis the sharing of knowledge on suspicious events that is reported with the whole industry without revealing the source of the information. Since its introduction, during the last quarter of 2021, a total of 72 alerts were sent to the industry, which resulted in a total of 20 new suspicious betting reports received via the Suspicious Betting Reporting Mechanism after such alerts were corresponded.
  • A total of 131 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. As a result of such requests, data was exchanged in 41 instances. Additionally, a total of 329 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 the manipulation of sports competitions or breaches in sports rules, as well as an indirect participant in 29 such investigations.
  • The Authority received a total of 89 international cooperation requests from other regulators and sent 75 such requests, with the majority referring to requests for background checks as part of an authorisation process.
  • A total of 125 letters of Good Standing were issued providing feedback on the regulatory good standing of our licenced operators to the relevant authorities asking for this information.
  • An International Affairs Strategy has been devised as one of the measures aimed at enhancing Malta’s international credibility, fostering collaborative relationships with targeted stakeholders and mitigating the risks that the gaming industry in Malta is facing.
  • In collaboration with the Malta Institute of Accountants two technical release notices were published, “Audit 02/21 Gaming Tax Payable and Levy on Gaming Devices” and “Audit 02/21 – Player Funds and Jackpot Funds”.
  • Through a joint collaboration between the Authority, the FIAU and the MFSA, a document was published providing an overview of the key findings of Business Risk Assessments carried out by subject persons as per their obligations under the PMLFTR and the FIAU’s Implementing Procedures.
  • A two-day workshop in collaboration with Bank of Valletta was organised, whereby various aspects of the control mechanisms as a Regulator were discussed.

In publishing this report, the CEO, Dr Carl Brincat said: “As an organisation, beyond continuing to ensure that we meet our day-to-day objectives, we used 2021 to start laying the groundwork for improvements that we will see in the months and years to come.  It is a priority for us to move towards leaner and more efficient processes, to remove unnecessary bureaucracy which introduces burdens on the industry without providing added value, and to become more effective in achieving our regulatory priorities.”

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The power of sweepstakes: how Infingame brings strategic value to the iGaming market

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Infingame is strengthening its position in one of the fastest-growing segments of the iGaming industry, leveraging deep expertise in sweepstakes to help operators and game developers unlock new growth opportunities.

Over the past year, sweepstakes have moved from a niche concept to a major focus area, particularly in North America, where the model has gained significant traction across the US, with growing interest in markets such as Canada and Australia. This momentum is being driven by a fundamental shift in how players engage with gaming products.

“Sweepstakes introduce a different kind of experience,” said Dmytro Kryvorchuk, COO at Infingame. “By using token-based systems, the focus moves away from immediate financial outcomes and towards entertainment, progression, and longer player sessions.”

Infingame has positioned itself as a bridge between traditional iGaming and the sweepstakes ecosystem. While its aggregation platform connects operators to over 150 game providers, only a limited number currently offer sweepstakes-adapted content. To address this gap, Infingame works closely with studios to support the transition.

“Developing for sweepstakes is not a simple port of existing games,” Dmytro Kryvorchuk noted. “Studios must rethink everything, from language and UX to mechanics and compliance. Terms like ‘bet’ or ‘cash’ often need to be replaced entirely, and dual-currency logic must be built into the core experience.”

Infingame supports this process through technical integration, regulatory guidance, and a streamlined API that allows developers to adapt and scale content efficiently. The company has also played an active role in mentoring providers through the adaptation process, accelerating their entry into the sweepstakes market and expanding the available content pool for operators.

This collaborative approach has enabled Infingame to build a strong foothold in North America, working alongside some of the region’s largest sweepstakes operators. As a result, new clients can be onboarded quickly, with access to relevant content and practical expertise from day one.

A key differentiator lies in Infingame’s role beyond aggregation. The company acts as a strategic partner, helping operators navigate the complex and often fragmented regulatory landscape. In North America, where requirements vary significantly between states, compliance remains a central challenge.

“We don’t just provide content, we help operators understand how to structure their platforms correctly,” Kryvorchuk said. “That includes everything from choosing the right mechanics and terminology to connecting them with legal advisors, payment providers, and financial partners who specialise in sweepstakes.”

As the market matures, Infingame continues to invest in expanding its sweepstakes offering. The company is actively onboarding new providers, sharing market insights, and supporting studios in navigating regulatory nuances.

At the same time, Infingame is enhancing its engagement toolkit. Early results have shown measurable increases in player activity and retention, particularly in reactivating dormant users. Building on this momentum, new features such as Challenges are being rolled out to give operators additional ways to drive engagement and differentiate their offering in an increasingly competitive space.

By combining content, technology, and hands-on expertise, Infingame is helping shape the future of sweepstakes, transforming it from an emerging trend into a sustainable, high-value segment of the global iGaming industry.

About Infingame  

Infingame is a leading game aggregator built to help operators move faster and scale smarter. Through a single API integration, the platform gives access to a portfolio of over 16,000 games from more than 150 providers, allowing partners to launch quickly without dealing with multiple integrations.

Delivered via a single API, Infingame offers unparalleled technical excellence, the industry’s fastest spin times, exclusive tournaments and strategic partnerships with top-tier operators in North America, LatAm and beyond. Spanning a portfolio of slots, crash games, sweepstakes and live casino, book a demo via the LinkedIn page, website or at [email protected].

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Boomerang Partners: Peak sports season creates key opportunities in the Golden Boomerang Awards Kickoff stage

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From April 3 to June 9, Boomerang Partners is holding the first stage (Kickoff) of its annual affiliate traffic tournament, the Golden Boomerang Awards. Hundreds of affiliate teams from around the world are competing for unique sports-related experiences. The main prize for the first stage is a trip to the Wimbledon Championships from June 29 to July 12.

Strategic Importance of May

May is the most intense phase of the Kickoff stage in the Golden Boomerang Awards 2026. The concentration of major sporting events during this period creates the highest volume of opportunities to generate traffic and accumulate points.

The tournament is structured around key moments in the sports calendar, allowing participants to align their campaigns with peak audience interest. In practice, this means that late April and May – and May in particular – offer significantly more potential compared to quieter periods.

This is where consistency becomes critical. With multiple high-profile events running in parallel, teams need to maintain a steady pace and work across several sports to stay competitive.

As a result, May is set to determine the direction of the leaderboard. Teams that stay active can move into top positions, while any slowdown during this period can quickly push teams behind, at a stage when competition is at its most intense.

Key sporting events in late April and May

Late April and May bring a high concentration of major sporting events across different disciplines. The period includes the NHL and NBA playoffs, as well as the decisive stages of European football competitions – with the UEFA Champions League final on May 30, the UEFA Europa League final on May 20, and the UEFA Conference League final on May 27.

At the same time, domestic football seasons are coming to an end across Italy, England, Germany, France, and Spain, while the KHL playoffs and the IIHF World Championship (May 15–31) keep audience attention high throughout the month.

Other key events during this period include the World Team Table Tennis Championships in London (April 28–May 10) and Roland Garros in Paris (May 18–June 7).

The Solution: Tools for the Marathon

Late April and May are not the time to spread traffic evenly. Most of the value comes from key match days and decisive stages of major tournaments, when attention and online betting activity spike.

With the volume of events during this period, the calendar becomes harder to navigate. Teams that are newer to the vertical often miss important moments or don’t fully use the calendar, simply because it’s not always clear where the real peaks are.

To address this, earlier this year Boomerang Partners introduced the Sports Marketing & Betting Calendar 2026 – a practical guide based on internal data. It helps affiliate teams navigate the season, identify key events, and plan campaigns around periods that actually drive results.

In practice, this comes down to timing. Teams that align their activity with these peaks can get more out of the same traffic, while those who treat the period as a regular month often fall behind.

Liliia Sudachenko, Affiliate Team Lead at Boomerang Partners, commented: “2026 is a major year for sports, and May stands out as one of the busiest months in the calendar. Affiliate teams participating in the third season of the Golden Boomerang Awards can benefit from analyzing both current and upcoming tournaments to build a more precise strategy. Each peak in the sports calendar is not just additional traffic, but a real opportunity to strengthen positions in the leaderboard”.

Why May matters for the stage outcome

Affiliate teams that haven’t yet joined the third season of the Golden Boomerang Awards 2026 should not waste any time. The first stage of the tournament continues through June 9, and every point earned in May will count toward the stage result. All interested affiliates can register and start competing for valuable prizes and unique experiences on the GBA website.

About Boomerang

Boomerang Partners is a rapidly growing global marketing agency offering a wide range of services. Boomerang Partners is an Official Regional Partner of AC Milan. In 2024, it launched the inaugural Golden Boomerang Awards – a global tournament for affiliate teams. More than 400 affiliate teams participated in the second season of the tournament in 2025. Partners of the Agency launched six new products in 2024-2025, contributing to a nearly 1.5-fold increase in product users.

The Agency’s clients’ portfolio contains 10+ brands offering affiliate and entertainment services across 40+ markets in compliance with local regulations. These products provide incentive programs and 24/7 multilingual support.

Disclaimer:

This promotion is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by The Wimbledon Championships, UEFA. All trademarks and event names are the property of their respective owners. Any prizes described (including trips or event attendance) are independently organized by Boomerang Partners and do not imply any official partnership.

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TAG Media and Gamblitude launch affiliate tool affie.ai

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TAG Media and Gamblitude have launched affie.ai, a guided decision-making engine designed for iGaming affiliate managers. The companies said the product will make its debut at SBC Summit Malta, running 28–30 April.

At the event, affie.ai’s Elaine Gardiner, Alana Weldon and Wojtek Sznapka will demonstrate the platform to operators interested in becoming one of five launch partners. The companies said they are offering a “No Strings Attached” six-week trial to five operators.

affie.ai is positioned as a decision layer rather than an affiliate tracking platform or dashboard. TAG Media said the product is built on strategic frameworks the company has used across “50+ programme launches” over the past decade, while Gamblitude provides the data and analytics layer. Gamblitude was founded by former STS chief technology officer Wojtek Sznapka and former STS chief sportsbook officer Piotr Cerlak.

The companies said affie.ai provides data-informed recommendations covering deal structures, partner performance, programme optimisation and commercial risk insights, with the goal of reducing time spent on reporting and spreadsheet-based analysis.

Elaine Gardiner, Co-Founder of affie.ai says: “After 17 years managing affiliate programmes for operators including Cherry Casino, Ninja Casino and Rizk, I know what good decision-making looks like in this role and I know how rarely it’s supported by the right tools. affie.ai takes the strategic thinking our team applies every day and makes it available on demand and at pace: specific to your programme, specific to your data and ready when the affiliate manager needs it.”

The post TAG Media and Gamblitude launch affiliate tool affie.ai appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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