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The MGA Publishes its 2020 Annual Report & 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 2020. The report provides an overview of the work performed throughout the year and highlights major projects undertaken by the Authority throughout the same period. In addition, the report also outlines the performance of the Maltese gaming industry during 2020 as well as a medium-term outlook into the future, followed by a detailed report explaining key statistics for the land-based and online gaming sectors in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The full report may be accessed on this link.

The following are the key highlights from the Annual Report covering the year 2020:

  • Between January and December 2020, following information which emerged from compliance audits, compliance reviews, and formal investigations, the Authority issued 69 warnings, suspended 3 licences, and cancelled another 12. In addition, the MGA issued a total of 24 administrative penalties.
  • In 2020, 30 compliance audits were conducted by the Compliance and AML function, one of which related to a live studio, and 324 desktop reviews were carried out, of which 98 identified deficiencies which were accordingly escalated to the Compliance and Enforcement Committee.
  • In 2020, 8 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.
  • During the twelve-month period of 2020, a total of 1,475 criminal probity screening checks were undertaken, an increase of 13.5% when compared to the year 2019.
  • In terms of AML/CFT, during the twelve-month period of 2020, a total of 27 supervisory examinations on online gaming licensees were conducted by the MGA, of which 10 were full scope examinations, 3 were targeted examinations, 8 were thematic examinations, and 6 were supervisory meetings.
  • In 2020, the MGA conducted a total of 65 interviews with prospective MLROs and key persons carrying out the AML/CFT function to determine the knowledge and suitability of each candidate, out of which 40 were approved, 17 were conditionally approved and 8 were rejected.
  • The Commercial Communication Committee of the MGA took action against 10 adverts or promotions that, in the opinion of the Committee, inappropriately exploited the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • During 2020 the Player Support Unit received a total of 5,625 requests for assistance, a 58% increase over 2019, potentially stemming at least partly from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on player behaviour.
  • In its efforts to boost knowledge sharing and cooperation with international counterparts, the MGA hosted a delegation of members of the Lotteries and Gaming Board and the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
  • The Authority received 67 international cooperation requests from other regulators and sent 47 such requests, with the majority referring to requests for background checks as part of an authorisation process.
  • During the year 2020, a total of 168 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. Additionally, a total of 288 suspicious betting reports from licensees and other concerned parties were received.
  • During the period under review, the Authority was a direct participant in 20 different investigations across the globe relating to manipulation of sports competitions or breaches in sports rules.
  • Recognising the importance of establishing data sharing agreements with relevant stakeholders, including sport governing bodies and other platforms whose function includes the detection of suspicious betting activities, the MGA signed a total of five agreements, namely a data sharing agreement with the International Cricket Council, the Swedish Football Association, the Darts Regulation Authority, the World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association, and the Slovak Football Association.
  • During 2020, the MGA and the FIAU signed an updated version of the MoU which brought forth better cooperative instruments for the supervision of AML/CFT in the gaming sector.
  • The Authority entered into an MoU with the Malta Business Registry with the aim of facilitating the ongoing close communication between authorities and the effective sharing of information.
  • With the aim of increasing cooperation with our international counterparts, an MoU was agreed to by the MGA and the Dutch Kansspelautoriteit (the Dutch Gambling Authority) on the basis that the two authorities will support each other by sharing best practices and information in support of their responsibilities at law, whilst also engaging in discussions on policy matters of interest.
  • The MGA also enhanced its collaboration with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations by creating a process whereby any entity that applies for a non-profit game is only issued with a permit if such an entity is a registered and compliant voluntary organisation.
  • Recognising the importance of regular dialogue with stakeholders, throughout 2020, over 55 external communications were sent, providing a synopsis of various updates and developments within the Authority and industry.

In publishing this report, the CEO, Dr Carl Brincat said: “The year 2020 will undoubtedly be remembered for the challenges the pandemic presented us with, and I am proud of the Authority’s employees who worked tirelessly to ensure that we continued to perform the functions required of us at law. Keeping the ship steady during a challenging year serves as a strong foundation for us to look ahead with renewed commitment to keep building on the positives and improve on our shortcomings, to reach new heights in our regulatory approach.”

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Representatives from AGRESE and LOTESE Visits Lottopar

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On July 3rd and 4th, the Paraná State Lottery (Lottopar) received at its headquarters representatives from the Sergipe State Public Services Regulatory Agency (AGRESE) and the Sergipe State Lottery (LOTESE), on an institutional visit aimed at exchanging experiences and technical in-depth study on the regulation, operation and control model of state lottery activity.

During the two-day event, visitors learned in detail about the regulatory framework built by Lottopar, the systems adopted to ensure the traceability and security of operations, the criteria for accrediting operators and laboratories, and the responsible gaming and anti-money laundering policies implemented since the organization’s founding.

“We are delighted to welcome AGRESE and LOTESE. We believe that the development of state lotteries necessarily involves this type of technical cooperation, where successful experiences can be shared and adapted to the needs of each federative entity. The Lottopar model is constantly evolving, and it is a pleasure to be able to contribute to other states that, like Sergipe, demonstrate a commitment to serious, safe, and responsible regulation,” Lottopar CEO Daniel Romanowski said.

The exchange of information between states is essential for consolidating a safer, more efficient national lottery environment aligned with international best practices. The visit also reinforces the importance of joint action between regulatory agencies and state lotteries in formulating effective public policies.

AGRESE CEO Mr. Luiz Hamilton Santana de Oliveira said: “The institution is very honored and pleased to have hosted this technical visit, as it was a very productive two days, where we were able to further enhance our knowledge. We will implement what we learned and saw here into our regulations back in Sergipe.”

Adriana França Coserva Hide, CEO of LOTESE, said: “On behalf of Loterias de Sergipe, I would like to express our deep gratitude to the Lottopar team for the warm welcome and, most importantly, congratulate them on the exemplary work they have been doing. We were impressed by the level of excellence, professionalism, and commitment to social well-being that permeates Lottopar’s entire structure and operations. This exchange of experiences was extremely enriching and reinforces our conviction that cooperation between state public lotteries is a fundamental path to strengthening the sector in Brazil. We leave here inspired and even more committed to the mission that unites us.”

The agenda concluded with technical visits to Lottopar’s strategic departments and the headquarters of accredited partners, focusing on practical observation of operations. New joint initiatives are expected to be established soon, solidifying a virtuous cycle of cooperation between Brazilian public lotteries.

The post Representatives from AGRESE and LOTESE Visits Lottopar appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Alinda van Wyk

Super Group Raises Full-Year Revenue and EBITDA Guidance After Record Q2, Announces Intention to Exit U.S. iGaming

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Super Group, the holding company for leading global online sports betting and gaming businesses Betway, a premier online sports betting brand, and Spin, a multi-brand online casino offering, provided an update for its second quarter performance, raised 2025 guidance and announced its intention to exit from the U.S. as part of an ongoing strategic review to streamline operations and enhance long-term shareholder value.

Super Group’s positive momentum over recent quarters continued in Q2 2025, with solid revenue growth across all markets. This was driven by strong sports results, improvements in pricing models, more efficient risk management, a full calendar of sporting events, record deposit levels, and ongoing robust customer engagement and retention across both casino and sports in key markets.

As a result, Super Group announced that Q2 2025 is expected to be the strongest quarter in the Group’s history. This continued and diversified strength increases confidence in the full-year outlook for 2025, and the Group is raising Ex-U.S. guidance accordingly:

• Total revenue is now expected to exceed $2.0 billion vs. prior guidance of $1.925 billion

• Total Adjusted EBITDA is now expected in excess of $480 million vs. prior guidance of $457 million

Neal Menashe, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are very pleased with our performance in the second quarter, reflecting continued momentum and discipline across our core markets and further validating the strength of our operating model and brands. We remain focused on driving profitable and sustainable growth through consistent execution and continue to be super-confident in the long-term growth potential of our business.”

Super Group Announces Intention to Exit U.S. iGaming

The Group also announced that it intends to exit its U.S. iGaming operations, following a comprehensive evaluation of its global priorities, the evolving regulatory landscape, and the U.S. unit’s financial performance. The Group is currently evaluating its strategic options in this regard.

Neal Menashe said: “This is a difficult decision, particularly because our U.S. team has worked hard and made progress over recent quarters. Nonetheless, recent regulatory developments combined with ongoing assessment of capital allocation requirements have led us to believe that our stringent hurdle for return on capital will likely not be met in this market any time soon. We therefore intend to focus capital and resources on markets where we see the greatest opportunity for scalable, sustainable, profitable super growth, with a disciplined emphasis on operational efficiency.”

Alinda Van Wyk, Chief Financial Officer, said: “Various strategic exit options are under consideration. We are still early in the process but nonetheless would expect to incur a one-time cash restructuring cost of approximately $30 million – $40 million in connection with such an exit and are actively pursuing multiple efforts to minimize the impact thereof. Further details regarding these potential costs will be shared during our second quarter earnings release.”

Further insights into the Group’s performance and strategic outlook will be shared at the Investor Day on September 18, 2025, in London, UK.

The post Super Group Raises Full-Year Revenue and EBITDA Guidance After Record Q2, Announces Intention to Exit U.S. iGaming appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Hard Rock Heals Foundation

Hard Rock Heals Foundation Gives $250,000 in Grants to 50 Community Charities Around the World

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The Hard Rock Heals Foundation, the charitable arm of Hard Rock International, announced the distribution of $250,000 in grants to 50 local nonprofit organizations across the globe. These $5000 grants are part of the foundation’s annual commitment to help strengthen the communities in which Hard Rock operates through targeted support of impactful, grassroots initiatives.

The 2025 Hard Rock Heals Foundation Grant Program supports three focus areas:

• Mental health awareness and research

• Prevention of human trafficking and promotion of human rights

• Children’s wellness and education

The deserving, locally based organizations selected this year span 15 countries and over 40 cities, reflecting the brand’s global reach and deep community connections. From autism awareness in the Maldives and childhood educational support in Mexico, to youth wellness in Austria and support for people experiencing homelessness in Florida, the 2025 recipients exemplify purpose-driven work that uplifts communities.

“Since 2016, the Hard Rock Heals Foundation has supported hundreds of local programs focused on healing and hope. This year’s grant recipients, whether serving children, combating homelessness, or standing up for human rights, embody the spirit of our mottos: ‘Love All – Serve All’ and ‘Take Time to Be Kind,’” said Tracy Bradford, President of the Hard Rock Heals Foundation and Seminole Hard Rock Support Services.

The program empowers each Hard Rock property to nominate one charity annually. Examples of 2025 grant recipients include:

The Bowery Mission (nominated by Hard Rock Cafe New York) – Serving New Yorkers experiencing homelessness

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia (nominated by REVERB by Hard Rock Atlanta) – Granting life-changing wishes to critically ill children

Maldives Autism Association (nominated by Hard Rock Hotel Maldives) – Providing resources for children and families with autism

Julie Weintraub’s Hands Across the Bay (nominated by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa) – Supporting survivors of human trafficking

Cruz Roja Española (nominated by Hard Rock Hotel Marbella) – Offering essential care and education to underserved children

CAREER WARDROBE (nominated by Hard Rock Cafe Philadelphia) – Empowering women through professional development.

The post Hard Rock Heals Foundation Gives $250,000 in Grants to 50 Community Charities Around the World appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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