Latest News
The MGA Publishes its 2019 Annual Report and Financial Statements
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA/Authority) is publishing its Annual Report and Financial Statements for the financial year ending 31 December 2019, providing an overview of the work performed throughout the year by the Authority. In addition, the report also includes a summary of the performance of the Maltese gaming industry during 2019 and an outlook for the medium-term future.
The following are the key highlights from the Annual Report covering the year 2019:
- The Authority cancelled 14 licences and suspended 11. In addition, it issued 20 warnings, 89 Notices of Breach and 23 administrative fines imposed on operators following various regulatory breaches;
- 89 applications for a gaming licence were received in 2019; 44 applications were either rejected or withdrawn and 53 licences were issued during the period under review, including licences the application for which had been received during the previous year;
- 15 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;
- 48 audits were conducted by the Compliance and AML function;
- 69 international cooperation requests were sent by the MGA in 2019, predominantly as part of the criminal probity assessments, with the Authority receiving 58 international co-operation requests;
- 1,300 criminal probity screening assessments were carried out in 2019;
- The Authority revised its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit, and also signed an MOU with the Malta Police Force, aimed at strengthening the fight again corruption and money laundering;
- As at the end of December 2019, the number of companies licensed by the MGA, including both online and land-based entities, stood at 294.
In publishing this report, Heathcliff Farrugia, Chief Executive Officer of the Malta Gaming Authority, stated that: “Overall, 2019 was a very challenging but at the same time rewarding year for the MGA. The increased focus on compliance and enforcement which was prevalent throughout the year has yielded tangible results for the Authority.
This focus led to internal restructuring for the better achievement of the MGA’s objectives, and was also pivotal in the Authority’s drive towards the setting up of the Sports Integrity Unit, tasked with increasing the commitment towards the fight against the manipulation of sports competitions. In its first months, this unit has already signed important collaboration agreements with international sport bodies in order to tackle betting-related corruption and ensure the integrity of sports.
Such collaboration, both at a local and international level was high on the agenda in 2019, and will continue being crucial in 2020, as a key determining factor in the ongoing fight against crime, corruption and money laundering.”
Compliance Updates
Aviatrix flying in Italy following certificate approval
Aviatrix, the groundbreaking crash game renowned for its unique engagement mechanics, is building new partnerships in Italy following the granting of a certificate in the country.
The Italian certificate enables Aviatrix to collaborate with operators regulated by the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli, introducing casinos fans in Italy to the award-winning game for the first time.
Players at many of the biggest brands in Italy will soon be enjoying Aviatrix.
Anastasia Rimskaya, Chief Account Officer at Aviatrix, said: “We are excited to be bringing Aviatrix to players in Italy for the first time. This is a market where innovation and player engagement are highly valued, so we’re certain our product will be a great fit. And more than that, we have an opportunity to play a central role in one of Europe’s most vibrant online gaming cultures. We can’t wait to get started with operators in the country.”
Aviatrix is fast establishing itself as an important game in regulated jurisdictions, as it already is in emerging ones.
The post Aviatrix flying in Italy following certificate approval appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Set sail on a pirate quest with Belatra’s Tortuga Codex
Belatra Games, the specialist online slots developer, has launched its pirate-themed title, Tortuga Codex. This 5×4 slot casts players on a journey on the hunt for untold riches buried on a mysterious island.
A Skull symbol acts as the Wild and will substitute for any other symbol to increase the chances of a win. An intriguing element to the game lies in the Additional Reel feature which sits above the main frame. It’s in sync with the main reels, displaying Wild symbols, special pirate icons, and numbers from one to nine. When three or more bomb Scatters come in, numbers on the Additional Reel become active multipliers in the bonus game. The more Scatters appear, the higher each multiplier value, amplifying the potential winnings.
In the main game, the Wild scatters a random number of Wild symbols onto the reels if there is a Scatter underneath it. When the Bonus Game is hit, the Wild symbol will be replaced by the number 9. Pirate Bob, Pirate Patrick and Pirate Girl symbols replace all minor symbols if there is a Scatter symbol underneath them. These symbols will be replaced by the numbers 8, 7 and 6 respectively.
The Treasure Chest symbol awards players with a random win ranging from 5 to 1000 bets if there is a Scatter symbol under it. This symbol is replaced by the number 5 when the Bonus game begins. A Coin gives the player a win of 10 bets on the game if there is a Scatter symbol underneath it – transforming into the number 4 for the Bonus. All numbers on the Additional Reel that fall out or appear in place of symbols will go into the Bonus Game when three or more Scatters appear on the reels. Hitting four Scatters will increase each number by one, landing five Scatters will increase each number by three – the maximum is nine.
Players trigger the Bonus Game with three or more bomb Scatters. Before it begins, the first and second cells open up on the Additional Reel at the top, then players must choose a chest that contains either a Plus, Multiplier, or a noose, which concludes the round. As players move down through the levels, the multipliers can increase depending on the chest’s bounty – the maximum is 59049x.
Sergey Chernyavski, Belatra Games’ CCO, said: “Tortuga Codex takes players deep into the perilous seas filled with hidden mysteries, legendary treasures, and ancient artefacts waiting to be uncovered on the reels. The Bonus feature gives players the perfect opportunity to chart a course to winnings.”
The post Set sail on a pirate quest with Belatra’s Tortuga Codex appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
BETBAZAR strengthens product line-up with GR8 Tech partnership
Industry-leading B2B iGaming marketplace unveils collaboration with the high-performance sportsbook and iGaming platform provider to supply even more solutions to clients
Betbazar – the innovative technology company behind the world’s leading B2B iGaming marketplace – has this month revealed details of a recent partnership with GR8 Tech that will enable it to provide an impressive array of sportsbook solutions to customers.
With GR8 Tech being one of the industry’s most forward-thinking providers of sportsbook and iGaming platform software, the collaboration means all BETBAZAR clients will be able to choose from a wide range of products aimed at providing a more immersive online experience to players.
While GR8 Tech’s award-winning sportsbook platform, MTS (managed trading services), and streamlined iFrame will all be available via the BETBAZAR marketplace, the star of the show from an operator’s perspective will certainly be the company’s critically acclaimed sportsbook data feed.
GR8 Tech developed this innovative solution to empower iGaming companies to supply an enhanced sportsbook experience to their customers. The GR8 Feed delivers real-time odds, scores, and statistics on approximately 100,000 events from the industry’s most trusted providers.
Covering everything from esports to American football, the feed itself is seamlessly integrated through an API and can harness the power of artificial intelligence to deliver live alerts and a dashboard that breathes life into customers’ statistics. All of this is backed up by bulletproof security features and a dedicated support team that’s available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Given the data feed’s scope to improve clients’ revenue streams and the myriad benefits offered by all of the other GR8 Tech solutions, the partnership will further establish BETBAZAR’s marketplace as the go-to destination for customers’ iGaming needs. Both parties are already looking forward to the numerous opportunities the collaboration should bring.
Alex Iaroshenko, Chief Executive Officer at BETBAZAR, said: “It goes without saying that if you want to be the iGaming industry’s leading B2B marketplace, you have to be able to offer the best products available – and in GR8 Tech’s innovative range of sportsbook solutions, we believe we’ve found a selection of services that will empower operators to offer a best-in-class user experience.
“Covering everything from sportsbook platforms, managed trading services, and the company’s celebrated data feed, the GR8 Tech products available in our marketplace will ensure we remain at the forefront of innovation while also offering a comprehensive range of options to customers.”
Oleksandr Feshchenko, Deputy CEO & CRO at GR8 Tech, said: “At GR8 Tech, we really believe in the quality of our products and their potential to help operators stand out and maximise their revenue streams – so the next step is obviously to ensure they’re seen by as many customers as possible.
“By partnering with BETBAZAR and making our solutions available via their industry-leading B2B worldwide marketplace, we’ll be able to guarantee that even more prospective clients will have access to the services we offer. This will in turn allow us to empower even more operators to provide an enhanced experience to their end users.”
The post BETBAZAR strengthens product line-up with GR8 Tech partnership appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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