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The MGA publishes its 2022 Annual Report and Financial Statements
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA/Authority) is publishing its Annual Report and audited Financial Statements for the financial year ending 31 December 2022. In addition to outlining the performance of the Maltese gaming business in 2022, the report gives a broad summary of the Authority’s accomplishments during the year under review and offers a medium-term outlook for the future. A thorough report outlining key statistics for the land-based and online gaming industries is then presented.
Supervisory Activities
- 28 compliance audits were conducted and 228 desktop reviews were carried out during 2022, accompanied by additional AML/CFT compliance examinations that are carried out by the FIAU, or by the MGA on its behalf. Following information which emerged from compliance audits, compliance reviews and formal investigations, the Authority issued 10 warnings and cancelled six (6) licences. In addition, the MGA issued a total of 16 administrative penalties as well as three (3) regulatory settlements, with a collective total financial penalty of €179,150.
- A total of 25 licensees were subject to remediation and/or administrative 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 €738,000.
- Six (6) individuals and companies were deemed by the Fit & Proper Committee to not be up to the Authority’s probity standards due to various factors, including due to the risks of money laundering or funding of terrorism.
- Forty-one (41) gaming licence applications were received during 2022. Thirty-one (31) licences were issued, while twenty-one (21) were unsuccessful.
- Over 1,500 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 conducted 48 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 nine (9) Letters of Breach following breaches of the Commercial Communications Regulations (S.L. 583.09).
- In its efforts to protect players and encourage responsible gambling, the Authority supported a total of 5,280 players who requested assistance, covering most of the cases received during 2022 and the spill-over from 2021.
- The MGA conducted 85 responsible gaming-themed website checks, through which 38 URLs were found to have misleading information. This led to 17 notices being published on the MGA website, and 30 observation letters that were sent out reflecting responsible gaming issues.
Improvements in Efficiency and Effectiveness
- The Authority commissioned a sectorial skills strategy to address the gaming industry’s challenges with respect to the ongoing demand for qualified and skilled human capital, which increased significantly as the economy grew and diversified into numerous sectors.
- Consultation exercises were conducted with industry stakeholders regarding the bets offered by licensees – with a focus on sports integrity and player protection considerations – on the proposed amendments to the Player Protection Directive (Directive 2 of 2018), and on the proposed policy on the use of Innovative Technology Arrangements (ITAs) and the acceptance of Virtual Financial Assets (VFAs) and Virtual Tokens, which led to amendments and a finalised Policy, respectively.
- The Authority streamlined the approval process of appointing an MLRO in collaboration with the FIAU while, at the same time, ensuring that the industry is kept updated on any changes affecting this process and on any best practices that are intrinsic to the role of the MLRO.
- The concept of Agreed-Upon Procedures (AUPs) Reports was introduced, covering player funds and Gaming Revenue. Audit firms are drawing up these reports in compliance with the ‘International Standard on Related Services (ISRS) 4400 (Revised) Agreed-Upon Procedures Engagements’.
- The MGA kickstarted a process for possibly implementing a voluntary Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Code of Good Practice for the industry to showcase and increase the positive social and environmental impacts of the gambling sector.
National and International Cooperation
- Throughout 2022, the Authority issued 43 news items on its website and 26 external communications, providing a synopsis of various updates and developments at the Authority and across the industry.
- A total of 224 alerts were sent to the industry, 167 of which were also sent to the appropriate Sports Governing Bodies.
- A total of 44 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 25 instances. Additionally, a total of 475 suspicious betting reports from licensees and other concerned parties were received.
- During the period under review, the Authority was a direct participant in 15 different investigations across the globe relating to the manipulation of sports competitions or breaches in sports rules, as well as an indirect participant in 3 such investigations.
- The Authority received a total of 83 international cooperation requests from other regulators and sent 97 such requests, with the majority referring to requests for background checks as part of an authorisation process.
- A total of 177 official replies were issued providing feedback on the regulatory good standing of our licensed operators to the relevant authorities asking for this information.
- The MGA works together with other local regulating authorities and governing bodies. This is reflected through responses furnished by the MGA to requests for information made by the Asset Recovery Bureau (ARB), the FIAU, as well as the MPF on the gaming sector. Additionally, the relevant information is provided to the Sanctions Monitoring Board (SMB) to assist in issuing penalties in instances of non-compliance with sanctions screening obligations.
In publishing this report, the CEO, Dr Carl Brincat said: “This report is testament to our collective efforts in promoting a fair and sustainable gaming ecosystem. Through proactive measures and leaner regulation processes, we strive to ensure a level playing field that nurtures innovation while safeguarding against any potential risks.
“As the global gaming landscape evolves, our role becomes even more critical. We embrace this responsibility with utmost determination, working tirelessly to stay ahead of emerging trends, technologies, and challenges. We remain steadfast in our pursuit of robust frameworks that inspire confidence, protect vulnerable individuals and render Malta the home for gaming operators of good will.”
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BC Brothers
Why BC Brothers is Betting on “Affiliate-as-a-Product”
The iGaming affiliate industry has a problem, and it begins with the “Top 10” list. For years, the business has relied on a foundation of simple review pages. Walls of text that often prioritize commission rates over user experience. But as players are becoming tired of biased endorsements, the traditional review site is entering its twilight years.
“Look, the industry is at a crossroads,” says Borja Imbergamo, CEO of BC Brothers. “The old playbook, where you rank operators based on who writes the biggest check and then dress it up as expert advice, is just broken. It’s a short-term hustle in a world that’s demanding long-term transparency.”
Imbergamo isn’t just criticizing the status quo. Instead, he is pivoting away from it. He’s pushing BC Brothers toward this ‘Affiliate-as-a-Product’ model, which honestly isn’t just some clever rebranding. It’s a total shift in architecture. Rethinking the whole way an affiliate actually connects a player to an operator from the ground up.
Breaking Free from the Template
For most affiliates, WordPress is the default setting. It’s easy, it’s fast, and it’s predictable. However, late last year, BC Brothers began a quiet migration away from standard content management systems toward self-built platforms. While still in the pilot phase in several territories, the move represents a declaration of independence from the limitations of templated solutions.
“WordPress is fine, but it’s a bottleneck for innovation,” Imbergamo explains. “Moving to our own infrastructure allows us to be a lot more flexible. We can develop features that a standard plugin simply can’t handle. These are still pilots, but we have very high hopes for these platforms to become our future. It definitely requires more SEO checks, resources and dedication, but surely will pay off in long term”
This technical shift allows BC Brothers to move beyond the bridge model, where a site is just a transition point for a player, and toward a destination model.
Building an Ecosystem
The pivot isn’t just about how the sites are built, but what they offer. While conversion remains a goal, BC Brothers is investing heavily in products that prioritize utility over the immediate click. These projects are less about a direct sales funnel and more about becoming an essential part of the sports content ecosystem.
One example is BetBrothers.football, a site designed to deliver all the real-time football data and stats a fan could want. Alongside it sits BBSportNews, an editorial project covering the “beautiful game” from every angle – from breaking transfer news and defining stories to deep-dive tactical analysis.
“We are building an ecosystem, not a funnel,” says Imbergamo. “If we provide a player with real-time match stats they can’t find elsewhere, or analysis that actually informs their perspective, we’ve earned their time. By the time they do decide to play, they don’t have to head back to Google to find some random review site. They’re already inside our brand’s ecosystem. It’s about giving them that full 360-degree value so they never feel the need to look elsewhere.”
By focusing on these utility tools, BC Brothers is actually playing a much smarter game with lead quality. Think about it – a person who spends twenty minutes studying data on a platform you built is a way more valuable player for an operator than someone who just clicks a “Play Now” button because they saw a shiny banner. One is an engaged user making an informed choice. The other is just a random click that probably won’t stick around.
Playing by the Rules
This approach is particularly vital in regulated markets, where BC Brothers exclusively operates. The company maintains a strict policy of working only in regulated jurisdictions and exclusively with licensed operators. Getting their Greek affiliate license this past March was simply the next logical step in that process. For Borja, ignoring grey markets isn’t some moral crusade. It’s just the right way to make sure sports betting stays entertaining and safe for everyone.
“We really believe that working only with licensed operators is the right way to keep sports betting fun and sustainable,” Borja says. “We’re committed to staying compliant and actually helping the industry grow in every market we’re in. Sometimes that means taking the harder path. But for us, it’s a long-term investment in a safe environment that protects the players and makes the whole industry healthier.”
The Future of the “Brothers”
The transition from a content house to a product studio is a high-stakes bet. It requires more capital and a willingness to walk away from the easy wins of the grey market. At the end of the day, it requires more developers too. But as the iGaming affiliate landscape becomes more crowded with much more pressure from all sides, the “middle man” who offers nothing but a link is losing their place.
“The era of the disposable affiliate site is over,” Imbergamo concludes. “The next big leaders in this space will be the ones who treat it like a serious tech company, more like the SaaS world. Players want tools, interaction, personalization, and they want value for their time. We’re basically building the infrastructure for a future where the product does the talking, and you don’t have to ask for trust because it’s already built into the code.”
The post Why BC Brothers is Betting on “Affiliate-as-a-Product” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
1spin4win
1spin4win & Blask report 7 out of 10 top games in Africa are slots
The study analyzes key markets across both regions, including South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. Using real-time data on game placement and player demand, the research provides a clear view of what content operators prioritize and what resonates most with players. The report also features insights from operators such as BetPawa and MSport, adding industry perspective to the data-driven analysis.
One key finding is that slots continue to dominate across both regions. In Africa, they account for 71% of the Top 30 games featured in casino lobbies, while in Latin America, they make up 67% of the Top 30 games analyzed — outperforming both crash and live formats.
At the same time, the data shows that what operators place in lobbies does not always match what players are actually looking for. Some of the most searched-for games are not prominently featured or are missing from lobbies altogether.
For 1spin4win, this report is part of their broader expansion strategy across Africa and Latin America. The provider began actively extending its presence in these markets in 2025, strengthening partnerships with local aggregators and refining its product strategy to better align with regional player preferences. These include mobile optimization and fast loading and smooth performance even on weak internet connections. In Africa, these efforts led to a 9.2x increase in the number of bets.
Olga Hlukhovskaya, Business Development Director at 1spin4win, “At 1spin4win, we place strong emphasis on working with data. It’s at the core of how we approach product development. We focus on understanding player preferences and making informed decisions that help us deliver experiences that truly resonate with our audience.”
Ilya Batcherikov, Blask CPO, commented, “By aggregating non-branded search data at scale, we help teams understand what players are actually looking for in each market — often before those trends become visible inside the product. This allows operators to move from reactive content strategies to proactive ones, aligning supply with real-time demand and capturing value that would otherwise be missed.”
Full insights from the research are available in the report “What’s hot in LATAM and Africa” on the Blask website.
About 1spin4win
1spin4win is an established game provider founded in May 2021 by ambitious developers with over 15 years of experience in the gambling industry. Since its inception, the company has expanded its portfolio to include over 200 classic online slots, all characterized by quality mathematics, transparent mechanics, and well-balanced gameplay — key factors that drive strong player retention. The studio aims to release an average of four new games each month in 2026 and offers effective promotional tools for casino operators to help them enhance player loyalty.
The post 1spin4win & Blask report 7 out of 10 top games in Africa are slots appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
BC.GAME
BC.GAME Releases “Ganesha Golden Wheel”
BC.GAME has released its latest online slot Ganesha Golden Wheel, combining Ganesha-inspired imagery, a Golden Wheel mechanic and a dual-bonus structure in a single release. The game is now live on BC.GAME, alongside the Ganesha’s 7-Day Gift campaign, under which players can complete daily tasks during the promotion period to unlock up to 100 Free Spins in total.
Ganesha is a widely recognised elephant-headed deity in Indian culture, commonly associated with wisdom, good fortune and the removal of obstacles. Ganesha Golden Wheel builds on that cultural imagery throughout its visual design, from gold-toned temple architecture and gem detailing to coin motifs and elephant iconography. A prominent Golden Wheel sits above the reels, giving the game a clear visual centre and making the wheel mechanic a defining part of the overall presentation.
In terms of structure, Ganesha Golden Wheel runs on a 3×3 reel layout with five fixed paylines. Wins are formed from left to right across adjacent reels, with all valid payline wins added together. The game has a theoretical RTP of 96.72% and a maximum win cap of 20,000x bet.
Ganesha’s Wild Respins is one of the game’s core features. When two or more Wilds land in the same result, Respins are triggered and the Wilds remain fixed in place. If additional Wilds land during the feature, the Respin count resets and the new Wilds are also held.
The Golden Wheel is another central feature. During spins, the Roman numeral shown in the centre may activate the Inner Ring, Middle Ring or Outer Ring, with rewards increasing through Wheel Upgrade up to 10,000x. The game also includes Sacred Wheel Bonus, Maxwin Wheel Bonus and Wheel Boost Special Spins.
Ganesha Golden Wheel is now live on BC.GAME, with the Ganesha’s 7-Day Gift Free Spins campaign running as part of the launch.
The post BC.GAME Releases “Ganesha Golden Wheel” appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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