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The MGA publishes its 2022 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 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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Fruit Cha Cha Cha Brings Rhythm and Rewards to Classic Slot Play

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The post Fruit Cha Cha Cha Brings Rhythm and Rewards to Classic Slot Play appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Benjamin Parker

University of Bristol Graduates Create Toolkit to Help Students Avoid Gambling Harms

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Two graduates from the University of Bristol have developed a new toolkit designed to protect students from gambling-related harms.

The toolkit, ‘From Freshers’ Week to Losing Streak’, began as a final-year project at the University of Bristol’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, where, as students, Benjamin Parker and Jordan White researched student gambling behaviour and ran a survey with support from the Bristol Hub for Gambling Harms.

Benjamin Parker, co-founder of Fair Play Toolkit, the organisation behind the toolkit, said: “Lots of my mates gambled, and I had a suspicion that it was happening all the time.

“When we investigated university student gambling and discovered how pervasive gambling harms are, we felt we had to develop a solution. There is a massive gap between the awareness of universities and the scale of the problem.”

Having received £8000 funding from Runway, the University of Bristol’s start-up accelerator, Ben and Jordan have been working to bring the toolkit to universities with Ara Recovery For All, a charity that supports those affected by gambling harms in the South-West and Wales.

Recent research highlights the scale of the issue. YGAM (Young Gamers & Gamblers Education Trust) have found that nearly half of students (49%) reported gambling in the past year, and of those who gamble, 63% of students were at risk of harm from gambling. The risk is even greater for students in their final year of study and those accessing university financial hardship funds, two significant factors linked to problem gambling.

The educational toolkit includes guidance, practical tools and a pre-designed awareness campaign to help universities better understand gambling harms and improve access to wellbeing support. Its purpose is to increase understanding of the issue, to signpost to specialist services, and to create a single source of information about gambling harms for universities and their students.

Ben and Jordan have designed the toolkit to be integrated into already existing university structures to ensure that universities strengthen support for students while keeping implementation simple and sustainable.

Jordan White, co-founder of Fair Play Toolkit, said: “As well as strengthening access to support, we want students to reflect and question their own relationship with gambling, and feel empowered to have conversations with their friends about it.

“People only talk about the wins, not about the losses, and often wait until they are in crisis before seeking help. But there are resources available for people who want to feel more educated and informed on the topic.”

Dave Hewer, Education and Prevention Team Lead at Ara Recovery for All, said: “‘From Freshers’ Week to Losing Streak’ is an excellent example of students recognising a growing issue and developing a thoughtful, evidence-based response. When Jordan and Ben approached Ara Recovery for All, we were impressed by the quality of their work and the practicality of their ideas.

“Students aged 18 to 24 are consistently highlighted as being at higher risk of experiencing gambling harms if they choose to gamble, yet they are not a group who typically seek support.

“By partnering with Jordan and Ben and developing a full version of the toolkit in collaboration with university stakeholders, we aim to help institutions strengthen safeguarding, increase staff confidence and make university students more aware that free, confidential support is available, all without adding to staff workload.”

Dr Vanessa Marshall, Hub Manager at the Bristol Hub for Gambling Harms Research, said: “Understanding and addressing gambling harms experienced by the student population is an important and very relevant issue.

“The Bristol Hub for Gambling Harms Research is pleased to facilitate and follow Ben and Jordan’s journey from an initial idea to a product that has come to fruition, and which will continue to grow.  We wish Ben and Jordan every success with launching the toolkit.”

Thanking The Bristol Hub for Gambling Harms Research for their support, Jordan added: “The Bristol Hub for Gambling Harms Research have been highly supportive of our work. The Hub introduced us to leading academic researchers in the field, helped us to disseminate our student survey to institutions across the UK, and provided opportunities to engage with wider stakeholders, which ultimately led to the fruition of our partnership with Ara Recovery for All.

“As graduates, the Hub has recognised and championed our own expertise on university gambling harms by inviting us to speak at their annual colloquium and to provide our input into ongoing research. We are incredibly grateful for their support, particularly the guidance and encouragement from Dr Emily Crick, Research Development Associate at the Hub.”

The post University of Bristol Graduates Create Toolkit to Help Students Avoid Gambling Harms appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Sun International Appoints Mark Sergeant as Chief Operating Officer of Gaming

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Sun International CEO Ulrik Bengtsson has announced the appointment of Mark Sergeant as chief operating officer: gaming, responsible for land-based revenue across the group.

Sergeant will head up the casino operations from February, reporting directly to the CEO. He also brings over 25 years of credible leadership experience across all spheres of Sun International’s operations, from gaming to leisure and hospitality, having led two of the UK’s largest casino groups.

As the group managing director at Genting Casinos he oversaw a portfolio of 35 casinos across the UK, an international casino operation in Cairo, a UK integrated gaming and leisure resort, and two online gaming businesses.

Sun International said the appointment marks another giant leap forward for the group as it pursues its strategy to become a digitally-led, market-leading omnichannel gaming company of scale.

Bengtsson said: “Mark brings all the right skills to drive our gaming operations forward as well as a fresh new perspective for how we can continue to build world-class capabilities”

“In addition to his notable skills, we were also impressed by his leadership expertise and his passion for people. He is widely recognised for building high‑performing teams, developing future leaders, and cultivating service‑driven cultures that will ultimately deliver exceptional customer experiences. He has also played a significant role in championing Responsible Gaming strategies, ensuring operational excellence while upholding the highest standards of compliance, integrity, and customer care.”

The post Sun International Appoints Mark Sergeant as Chief Operating Officer of Gaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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