Latest News

The MGA publishes its 2022 Annual Report and Financial Statements

Published

3 years ago

June 2, 2023

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 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.”

AI

Despite AI’s Rise, Fraud Teams Keep Growing — SEON 2026 Report

Published

14 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Wladimir P.

despite-ai’s-rise,-fraud-teams-keep-growing-—-seon-2026-report

SEON, the command centre for immediate Fraud Prevention and AML Compliance, has unveiled AI Reality Check: 2026 Fraud & AML Leaders Report, the second iteration of its sector research, derived from a worldwide survey of 1,010 leaders in fraud, risk, and compliance spanning payments, fintech, financial services, retail, eCommerce, and gaming.

The figures reveal an unforeseen narrative: AI is ubiquitous, yet operations are not becoming easier to manage. Currently, 98% of organizations utilize AI in fraud and AML processes, with 95% expressing confidence in its effectiveness; meanwhile, headcount plans rose from 88% to 94% year-over-year, and 83% anticipate budget increases in 2026.

Complexity Is Surpassing Automation

AI has not lessened the workload — it has revealed the extent of work that has always existed. Fraud losses are increasingly approaching revenue growth, threats are advancing more rapidly, and disjointed systems restrict the true potential of AI at scale. Key year-over-year shift:

Leadership’s confidence in their teams’ performance is lagging. The number of leaders who disagreed with the statement, “fraud losses are growing faster than revenue,” dropped by almost 40% from the previous year

Inside the Numbers:

AI is baseline, not experimental

98% already integrate AI into daily workflows (only 2% still planning)
95% are confident AI can detect and prevent fraud (52% very confident)
Top use case: AI/ML for transaction monitoring (30%)

Fraud and AML investment keeps climbing

83% expect fraud/AML budgets to increase in 2026
94% plan to add at least one full-time hire (up from 88% in 2025)
85% plan to add a vendor, 49% plan to replace one

Fragmentation is the bottleneck

95% claim “some integration” between fraud and AML systems
Only 47% run fully integrated workflows; the rest rely on partial connections
80% say getting a unified view of data is challenging

For many, time-to-value remains slow

Only 10% go live in under two weeks
38% take 1–3 months, 24% take 4+ months
When implementations run long, top impacts include increased costs (52%) and prolonged fraud exposure (47%)

Teams are growing, not shrinking

94% plan to increase headcount despite automation gains
85% see AI agents as support/augmentation, not replacement (only 12% see eventual replacement)

Top fraud threats reported:

Account takeovers: 26%
Promo/discount abuse: 18%
Return fraud: 18%

“Fraud and financial crime were supposed to become more manageable as AI matured,” said Tamas Kadar, CEO and co-founder, SEON. “Instead, 2026 is the year leaders are confronting a more complicated reality. AI adoption is real, confidence is high, but the scale and pace of fraud — compounded by fragmented systems — continue to drive increased investment rather than reduced overhead. The bottleneck is no longer whether AI works. It’s everything around it: disconnected data, siloed teams, slow implementations. The organisations that pull ahead will be the ones that unify fraud and AML intelligence, shorten the distance between threats and controls, and treat integration as strategy, not plumbing.”

Fast-Growing Companies Invest in Integration Early

Organisations growing 51%+ are nearly twice as likely as slower peers to report that achieving unified visibility is “not very challenging.” They treat integration as infrastructure, not an IT project.

What’s Next: From “Does AI Work?” to “Can We Trust It?”

With adoption near-universal, the conversation is shifting to governance, explainability and accountability:

78% say decentralised digital identity will become central to fraud/AML
33% cite data privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA) as the biggest external force shaping AML
25% point to criminals’ advancing use of AI and obfuscation techniques

The post Despite AI’s Rise, Fraud Teams Keep Growing — SEON 2026 Report appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

N1 Faces: Shirin Mammadov — Building Trust That Drives Performance

Published

16 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Wladimir P.

n1-faces:-shirin-mammadov-—-building-trust-that-drives-performance

Growth in affiliate marketing is easy to promise, but sustaining it over the long term is another story. Real results are built on consistency, clear communication, and relationships that can withstand market shifts, changing traffic sources, and rising competition.

In the latest episode of N1 Faces, the N1 Partners team introduces Shirin Mammadov, Senior Affiliate Manager — a specialist dedicated to creating structured, trust-based collaborations with affiliates. Shirin shares his journey into the industry, the principles guiding his work today, and what it takes to maintain performance and clarity in high-pressure environments.

How did you get into affiliate marketing, and when did you know this was your path?

“It started unexpectedly. At the time, I was running my own startup and wasn’t actively looking to move into affiliate marketing. The industry felt fast-paced, competitive, and performance-driven — exactly where I thrive. I’ve always enjoyed communication, negotiation, and building relationships, and affiliate marketing combines all of that. Over time, I realized it wasn’t just a temporary step — it was a field where I could grow and challenge myself long-term.”

What brought you to N1 Partners, and what was the deciding factor?

“Before joining N1 Partners, I was on the affiliate side, and N1 was one of my partners. From the beginning, the team was transparent, professional, and performance-minded, while also maintaining a genuinely friendly atmosphere. Trust was the key factor — I knew their standards and approach to growth. It wasn’t a risky move; it was strategic.”

Advice to your first-month self as an affiliate manager

“Focus less on proving yourself immediately and more on deeply understanding the product, numbers, and traffic quality. Strong partnerships take time, and trust matters more than quick deals. Ask questions, challenge assumptions, and the faster you understand the bigger picture, the faster you grow.”

How do you spot long-term partners versus one-off deals?

“You can often tell from the very first conversations. If a partner is transparent about traffic sources, open to feedback, and focused on optimization rather than only the highest CPA, that’s a good sign. Long-term partners think strategically, test continuously, and plan for growth. When trust and goals align, the partnership naturally becomes sustainable.”

Separating normal volatility from a real problem

“I look at trends over time instead of reacting to a single day’s numbers. Minor fluctuations are normal, but consistent drops or unusual patterns are red flags. External factors like seasonality or campaign changes are considered before jumping to conclusions. If a pattern is concerning, I dig into the data and communicate with the partner to find the root cause.”

A time communication “saved” a partnership

“Yes, a partner was frustrated with underperformance. Rather than focusing on numbers alone, I scheduled a conversation to understand their concerns. Aligning on goals, explaining strategy, and suggesting practical adjustments rebuilt trust and improved results. Proactive, transparent communication can turn challenges into stronger, strategic partnerships.”

Personal motto

“Work smart, communicate clearly, and always aim for long-term results.”

Staying balanced under pressure

“I stay active — at the gym or through consistent movement — and take short breaks from work to reset. Planning my day carefully and focusing on one task at a time helps manage stress. Physical activity and structured focus keep me calm and effective.”

If you weren’t in iGaming

“I’d probably be a seaman. I’m drawn to the sea — the adventure, challenge, and discipline appeal to me. Both paths require focus, navigating uncertainty, and taking responsibility for outcomes.”

Top-3 Blitz: Biggest Red Flags in Leads

Unclear traffic sources — ask detailed questions and require transparency.
Inconsistent performance — monitor closely and set clear KPIs.
Lack of communication — address directly, set expectations, and decide if the partnership is viable.

What affiliates value most in a program

Timely and transparent payments
Clear communication and support
Growth opportunities with competitive offers, incentives, and scalable tools

Essential tools for affiliate managers

CRM / affiliate tracking platforms
Spreadsheet & analytics tools
Communication platforms (email, chat, video calls)

Join N1 Partners

Partners interested in launching, exploring tailored terms, or testing an offer can reach out directly to Shirin.

N1 Partners provides everything affiliates need to stay ahead: high-converting products, ongoing analytics with optimization guidance, and hands-on support from managers focused on long-term performance.

More than just an affiliate program, N1 Partners is a multi-brand platform and direct advertiser, uniting 14+ casino and betting brands, operating across Tier-1 GEOs, delivering Reg2Dep rates up to 70%, and offering competitive deals for top partners — CPA up to €700 and RevShare up to 45%. Trusted by over 14,000 partners, N1 Partners is recognized for transparency, flexibility, and a partner-first approach — where people and communication quality are the foundation of long-term success.

The post N1 Faces: Shirin Mammadov — Building Trust That Drives Performance appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Latest News

N1 Faces: Shirin Mammadov — Building Trust That Drives Performance

Published

16 hours ago

March 4, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

Growth in affiliate marketing is easy to promise — much harder to sustain. Real long-term results are built on consistency, clear communication, and relationships that can withstand market shifts, changing traffic sources, and rising competition.

In the new episode of N1 Faces, the N1 Partners team introduces Shirin Mammadov, Senior Affiliate Manager — a specialist focused on building structured, trust-based collaboration with partners. In this interview, Shirin shares how he entered the industry, what principles guide his work today, and what it takes to maintain performance and clarity in a high-pressure environment.

Shirin Mammadov

Senior Affiliate Manager, N1 Partners

How did you get into affiliate marketing, and when did you realize this was the field you wanted to grow in?

It started unexpectedly. At the time, I was running our own startup and wasn’t actively looking to move into affiliate marketing. The industry felt fast-paced, competitive, and performance-driven — exactly where I thrive. I’ve always enjoyed communication, negotiations, and building relationships, and affiliate marketing combines all of that. After some time in the role, I realized this wasn’t just a temporary step — it was a field where I could grow and challenge myself long term.

What brought you to N1 Partners, and what was the deciding factor?

Before joining N1 Partners, I was on the affiliate side, and N1 was one of my partners. From the start, the relationship with the team was transparent and professional. I saw their structured processes and strong performance mindset, but also a genuinely friendly atmosphere.

When I decided to move forward in my career, the key factor was trust. I already knew their standards and approach to growth. It wasn’t a risky move — it was a strategic one. I wanted to join a company I respected and where my affiliate-side experience could add real value.

What advice would you give your first-month self as an affiliate manager?

I would tell my first-month self to focus less on trying to prove myself immediately and more on deeply understanding the product, numbers, and traffic quality. Building strong partnerships takes time, and trust is more important than quick deals. I would also remind myself to ask more questions and not be afraid to challenge assumptions. The faster you understand the bigger picture, the faster you grow.

When do you know a partner will become a long-term relationship rather than a one-off deal?

You can usually see it from the very first conversations. If a partner is transparent about their traffic sources, open to feedback, and interested in continuous optimization rather than just the highest CPA, that’s a strong sign. Long-term partners think about strategy, testing, and growth — not just short-term profit. When there is mutual trust and aligned goals, it naturally turns into a sustainable relationship rather than a one-off deal.

How do you separate “normal volatility” from a real problem when you look at performance reports?

I separate normal volatility from a real problem by looking at trends over time rather than reacting to a single day’s numbers. Small fluctuations are normal, but consistent drops, unusual patterns, or deviations from historical performance are red flags. I also consider external factors, like seasonality or campaign changes, before jumping to conclusions. Once a pattern looks concerning, I dig into the data and communicate with the partner to identify the root cause.

Was there a time when the right communication truly “saved” a partnership? What did you do differently?

Yes, there was a situation where a partner was underperforming and frustrated with their results. Instead of focusing on numbers alone, I scheduled a direct conversation to understand their concerns and listen carefully. By aligning on goals, explaining the strategy, and suggesting practical adjustments, we rebuilt trust and improved performance together. It showed me that proactive, transparent communication can turn a challenging situation into a stronger, strategic partnership.

Do you have a personal motto? Sum yourself up in one sentence.

Work smart, communicate clearly, and always aim for long-term results

What helps you stay balanced and clear-headed during high-pressure periods?

I stay balanced by keeping active and making sure I move my body, whether it’s at the gym or just staying consistent with workouts. I also make a point to disconnect from work for short periods, which helps me reset and approach challenges with a clear mind. Planning my day carefully and focusing on one task at a time keeps stress manageable. This combination of physical activity and structured focus helps me stay calm and effective under pressure.

If you weren’t in iGaming …

If I weren’t in iGaming, I think I’d be a seaman. I’ve always been drawn to the sea – the challenge, the adventure, and the discipline it requires really appeal to me. In a way, both paths share the same mindset: staying focused, navigating uncertainty, and taking responsibility for outcomes.

Top-3 Blitz

What are the biggest red flags in leads — and what do you do when you see them?

Unclear traffic sources — I ask detailed questions and request transparency before moving forward.
2. Inconsistent performance — I monitor closely and set clear KPIs to track improvements.
3. Lack of communication or responsiveness — I address it directly, set expectations, and decide if the partnership is worth continuing.

From an affiliate’s perspective, what matters most in an affiliate program?

1.Timely and transparent payments — affiliates need confidence in accurate, on-time payments.
2.Clear communication and support — being able to get answers, guidance, and updates quickly is essential.
3.Opportunities for growth — competitive offers, performance incentives, and tools that help them scale traffic effectively.

Name the tools you can’t imagine an affiliate manager working without.

CRM / Affiliate tracking platforms — to monitor performance, track partners, and analyze data accurately.
2. Spreadsheet & analytics tools — for performance analysis, trend spotting, and making data-driven decisions.
3. Communication tools — email, chat, and video calls to maintain strong partner relationships.

Join N1 Partners

Partners who want to discuss a launch, explore tailored terms, or test an offer can reach out to Shirin directly.

N1 Partners provides everything affiliates need to stay ahead: high-converting products, ongoing analytics with optimization recommendations, and hands-on support from managers focused on long-term performance.

N1 Partners is more than an affiliate program. As a multi-brand affiliate platform 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 Faces: Shirin Mammadov — Building Trust That Drives Performance appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.