Compliance Updates
The MGA Issues Interim Performance Report for January – June 2022
Supervisory Activities
- During this period, 16 compliance audits were conducted together with 114 desktop reviews, accompanied by an additional seven AML/CFT compliance examinations that were initiated by the MGA on behalf of the FIAU. Additionally, the Authority issues a warning, cancelled a licence, as well as suspended another authorised entity, following information which emerged from compliance audits, compliance reviews and formal investigations Furthermore, the MGA issued a total of seven administrative penalties as well as two regulatory settlements, with a collective total financial penalty of €85,000.
- Enforcement measures were also issued by the FIAU to an additional four licensees, ranging from written reprimands to administrative penalties, with an emphasis on remediation measures, based on the breaches identified during examinations carried out in previous years, including by the MGA. In total, these amounted to just over €386,567.
- Based primarily on reducing the risk of money laundering or funding terrorism, the Fit & Proper Committee determined that four individuals and entities did not meet the Authority’s fit and properness criteria, while an additional two applications were rejected by the Supervisory Council.
- A total of 626 criminal probity screening checks were undertaken on personnel, shareholders, ultimate beneficial owners, key individuals, employees, and businesses from the land-based and online gambling sectors.
- In the first half of the year, 22 interviews with prospective money laundering reporting officers (MLROs) and key persons carrying out the AML/CFT function were carried out, with the aim of determining the knowledge and suitability of each candidate.
- A total of six letters of breach were issued by the MGA’s Commercial Communications Committee (S.L. 583.09), out of which five operators were deemed to have violated the Commercial Communications Regulations.
- In its efforts to safeguard players and promote responsible gaming, the Authority assisted a total of 2,578 players who requested assistance, covering the majority of the cases received during 2022 and the spillover from 2021.
- A total of 22 cases of websites having misleading references to the Authority were investigated, while a total of 13 notices were published on the MGA’s website with the aim of preventing the public from falling victim to such scams. Furthermore, an additional 18 responsible gambling website checks were conducted, and five observation letters were issued.
National and International Cooperation
- Between January and June 2022, a total of 122 alerts on suspicious betting were sent to the industry. Following correspondence of these alerts, the Suspicious Betting Reporting Mechanism received a total of 16 new suspicious betting reports.
- Enforcement agencies, sports governing bodies, integrity units, and other regulatory authorities made a total of 23 requests for information, specifically in relation to the manipulation of sporting events or violations of sporting regulations. Subsequently, 10 of these requests resulted in the exchange of data. In addition, 278 allegations of suspicious betting from licensees and other interested parties were received.
- The Authority participated directly in 12 separate investigations into sports rules violations or manipulation of sporting competitions during the time under review. In addition, the Authority also participated indirectly in another investigation.
- The Authority sent 64 requests for international cooperation, the majority of which related to requests for background checks as part of an authorisation process. Furthermore, the Authority received a total of 36 requests for international collaboration from other regulators.
- Up to the end of June 2022, a total of 84 official replies were issued, providing feedback on the regulatory good standing of our licensed operators to the relevant authorities asking for this information.
- In total, during the first six months of the year, the MGA received just over 100 requests for information from other local regulating authorities and governing bodies.
The MGA will publish a full-year industry performance report during the second half of 2023, when it publishes its Annual Report for the financial year ending 31 December 2022.
Powered by WPeMatico
Asia
Kazakhstan Orders Telecom Providers to Block Illegal Online Casino Payments via Mobile Balances
Kazakhstan authorities have moved to tighten controls on illegal online gambling payments after uncovering schemes that use mobile phone balances to fund unlicensed casino activity.
The Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA) issued instructions to telecom providers to strengthen monitoring and introduce systems to detect and block suspicious transactions.
According to the FMA, mobile operators including Tele2, Altel, Beeline, Kcell and Activ were called to a working meeting where regulators demonstrated how illicit payment flows to online casinos are being processed.
To verify the issue, the FMA carried out test purchases across 10 illegal online casino websites using services from all major mobile operators. The tests confirmed that payments via mobile balances were possible.
The agency stated that the goal is to cut off financial access to illegal operators and reduce public exposure to unregulated platforms. Further enforcement actions are expected as monitoring continues.
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is preparing to significantly tighten rules on the promotion of illegal gambling. A group of senators is advancing an initiative to introduce criminal penalties for influencers who advertise online casinos and organise “giveaways.”
In related developments, a Kazakhstani influencer has recently been arrested in Vietnam on suspicion of running an illegal gambling operation.
Furthermore, the country is also restricting citizens’ access to legal gambling options, indicating a broader anti-gambling stance towards locals while still pursuing gambling tourism.
Lawmakers introduced rules restricting access to casinos, slot machine halls and betting venues in several regions to foreign nationals only. The changes will take effect on 17 May.
In March, President Tokayev signed a law establishing four new gambling zones for foreigners in the country.
The post Kazakhstan Orders Telecom Providers to Block Illegal Online Casino Payments via Mobile Balances appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Allaster Gair
97 Percent of Bacta Members Support Increased Action on Illegal Gambling Operators
In a clarion call for the Gambling Commission and Licensing Authorities, including local police forces, to be more vigilant in their approach to illegal gambling, 97% of respondents to the latest Bacta Pulse survey confirmed they would back stronger enforcement of the law.
As the statutory regulator the Gambling Commission leads on intelligence-led investigations and possess powers to initiate criminal investigations into illegal land-based activity. To combat what is recognised as constituting a growing problem, the Gambling Commission was allocated an additional £26 million in funding over three years starting in 2026 in order to strengthen enforcement against illegal operators.
Updating the current state of play Bacta President Joseph Cullis said: “In England and Wales, local authorities are responsible for licensing premises and, alongside police, are expected to take enforcement actions including raids and shutdowns against illegal gambling operating within their specific area, seizing equipment and prosecuting operators. It’s a multi-agency approach which also includes HMRC in order to tackle tax evasion.”
He added: “While the Gambling Commission has historically focused on the online sector, concerns regarding land-based illegal activity, including unlicensed gaming machines in pubs, members clubs and cafes remain. These illegal operators ‘steal’ discretionary spend from Bacta members and provide none of the player protection safeguards that are so important in the regulated market. Illegal gambling remains a key issue of concern for Bacta members and it is a topic that is permanently on our agenda in discussions with colleagues at UKGC.”
The rigid and outdated regulations governing the siting and mix of machines is having a profound impact on investment. According to the Pulse Survey 87% of respondents said that greater machine flexibility would encourage them to invest in their venues. With the remaining 13% saying the question was not applicable the figure jumps to 100% – the first Pulse question to attract a unanimous response.
In what has become something of a recurring theme the Bacta Pulse survey has again revealed what members believe to be a serious lack of knowledge concerning the industry.
Joining MPs and Councillors, both of which were identified in previous surveys, are Local Authority Licensing Officers with 93% of respondents saying this important group “do not know the industry well.”
Explaining how the findings will impact and inform Bacta’s engagement with policy makers, Director of Communications Allaster Gair said: “The results are invaluable in shaping the conversations that we have on a daily basis with external stakeholders and I am grateful for every Bacta member who has participated. Illegal gambling is of huge importance both to our members, to players and to HMRC. The 80/20 rule is outdated and is having adverse consequences for the industry supply chain. Getting closer to Licensing Officers is an area that we are addressing and will continue to address using the opportunity provided by events such as EAG Expo, the SR Exchange and via the offices of Bacta’s MSOs.”
The post 97 Percent of Bacta Members Support Increased Action on Illegal Gambling Operators appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Compliance Updates
Endorphina secures UAE Gaming-Related Vendor License (Tier II) from GCGRA
Endorphina Limited has been granted a Gaming-Related Vendor License (Tier II) by the UAE’s General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), positioning the supplier to operate in the country’s newly regulated commercial gaming market.
The company said it is among the early licensed entities in the UAE. It added that the license is granted subject to ongoing compliance with GCGRA regulations, conditions, and directives.
Džangar Jesenov, Head of Compliance at Endorphina, said:
“Over the past years, Endorphina has grown into a truly reputable, internationally recognized supplier, following a principle of gradual and sustainable development. Today, in terms of the number of jurisdictions where we are authorized to operate, we are proud to be ranked among the Тop providers worldwide. Receiving this license in the early stages of the UAE’s regulated gaming market is both an honor and a responsibility. We are excited to contribute to shaping a sustainable and innovative industry under the guidance of the GCGRA.”
Endorphina said the UAE approval supports its broader strategy of expanding across regulated markets.
The post Endorphina secures UAE Gaming-Related Vendor License (Tier II) from GCGRA appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
-
Africa4 days agoSpringbok Casino Presents “Wild Galaxy Month” with 25 Free Spins on Prosperity Pots
-
Asia4 days agoNOVOMATIC to Debut New Linked Progressive Innovations and Expanded Portfolio at G2E Asia 2026
-
Baltics4 days agoKanggiten: From B2C Insight to B2B Performance in iGaming
-
affiliate marketing4 days agoCasinoCanada partners with FortuneJack to expand crypto casino coverage
-
Alex Fonseca4 days agoSuperbet expands football presence with naming rights deal at Bahia-based club
-
Canada4 days agoCasinoCanada announces partnership with FortuneJack casino
-
BGaming4 days agoBGaming launches Clash of Gods: Anubis vs Hades slot with Golden Goat Gaming
-
bet3653 days agoEvoplay adds bet365 to its Brazil operator lineup



