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The MGA Issues Interim Performance Report for January – June 2022

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The Malta Gaming Authority has released its Interim Performance Report for the period between January to June 2022. A review of the Authority’s accomplishments for the first half of 2022 is provided in the report, together with a description of the Maltese gaming industry’s performance over the same period. The latter provides a medium-term outlook towards the future, as well as an analysis outlining important statistics for the land-based and online gaming industries.

Supervisory Activities

  • During this period, 16 compliance audits were conducted together with 114 desktop reviews, accompanied by an additional seven AML/CFT compliance examinations that were initiated by the MGA on behalf of the FIAU. Additionally, the Authority issues a warning, cancelled a licence, as well as suspended another authorised entity, following information which emerged from compliance audits, compliance reviews and formal investigations Furthermore, the MGA issued a total of seven administrative penalties as well as two regulatory settlements, with a collective total financial penalty of €85,000.
  • Enforcement measures were also issued by the FIAU to an additional four licensees, ranging from written reprimands to administrative penalties, with an emphasis on remediation measures, based on the breaches identified during examinations carried out in previous years, including by the MGA. In total, these amounted to just over €386,567.
  • Based primarily on reducing the risk of money laundering or funding terrorism, the Fit & Proper Committee determined that four individuals and entities did not meet the Authority’s fit and properness criteria, while an additional two applications were rejected by the Supervisory Council.
  • A total of 626 criminal probity screening checks were undertaken on personnel, shareholders, ultimate beneficial owners, key individuals, employees, and businesses from the land-based and online gambling sectors.
  • In the first half of the year, 22 interviews with prospective money laundering reporting officers (MLROs) and key persons carrying out the AML/CFT function were carried out, with the aim of determining the knowledge and suitability of each candidate.
  • A total of six letters of breach were issued by the MGA’s Commercial Communications Committee (S.L. 583.09), out of which five operators were deemed to have violated the Commercial Communications Regulations.
  • In its efforts to safeguard players and promote responsible gaming, the Authority assisted a total of 2,578 players who requested assistance, covering the majority of the cases received during 2022 and the spillover from 2021.
  • A total of 22 cases of websites having misleading references to the Authority were investigated, while a total of 13 notices were published on the MGA’s website with the aim of preventing the public from falling victim to such scams. Furthermore, an additional 18 responsible gambling website checks were conducted, and five observation letters were issued.

National and International Cooperation

  • Between January and June 2022, a total of 122 alerts on suspicious betting were sent to the industry. Following correspondence of these alerts, the Suspicious Betting Reporting Mechanism received a total of 16 new suspicious betting reports.
  • Enforcement agencies, sports governing bodies, integrity units, and other regulatory authorities made a total of 23 requests for information, specifically in relation to the manipulation of sporting events or violations of sporting regulations. Subsequently, 10 of these requests resulted in the exchange of data. In addition, 278 allegations of suspicious betting from licensees and other interested parties were received.
  • The Authority participated directly in 12 separate investigations into sports rules violations or manipulation of sporting competitions during the time under review. In addition, the Authority also participated indirectly in another investigation.
  • The Authority sent 64 requests for international cooperation, the majority of which related to requests for background checks as part of an authorisation process. Furthermore, the Authority received a total of 36 requests for international collaboration from other regulators.
  • Up to the end of June 2022, a total of 84 official replies were issued, providing feedback on the regulatory good standing of our licensed operators to the relevant authorities asking for this information.
  • In total, during the first six months of the year, the MGA received just over 100 requests for information from other local regulating authorities and governing bodies.

The MGA will publish a full-year industry performance report during the second half of 2023, when it publishes its Annual Report for the financial year ending 31 December 2022.

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Compliance Updates

Dutch Gaming Authority Focuses on Tackling Illegal Gambling Apps

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The Dutch Gaming Authority (KSA) has intensified its supervision of illegal gambling apps. Since the start of 2025, 20 apps have been removed from the app stores. The regulator calls on consumers to always report suspicious apps.

In the fight against illegal gambling, the KSA also focuses on tackling illegal gambling offers in app stores. This problem is becoming increasingly urgent, especially with the increasing number of apps that refer users to illegal websites. These websites are also often accessible to minors, which makes the situation even more worrying. Many of these apps are advertised via social media.

Illegal providers often use underhand techniques to convince consumers, for example by displaying logos of licensed providers. An app was recently reported in the App Store that misused the Holland Casino logo. Also, an “ordinary” game is often advertised (in many cases a variation on “plinko”), but after downloading it links to illegal gambling websites.

In the past three months, the KSA has had 20 of these apps removed, so that they are no longer available to users. It is of great importance to the KSA that consumers continue to report these apps, so that this process can continue throughout the year. When reporting gambling advertising, it is essential that the name of the app in question that is being advertised is mentioned in the report.

In addition to reports from consumers, the KSA is also increasingly receiving reports from industry associations and licensed casinos. For example, via Meld Vals Spel, a platform set up by the industry for reporting illegal gambling sites. Reports received via that platform are also investigated by the KSA. The KSA has working agreements with app stores to report illegal apps to them and then have them removed.

The post Dutch Gaming Authority Focuses on Tackling Illegal Gambling Apps appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Thai Deputy PM Defends Entertainment Complex Bill as Shield Against US Trade Move

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Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has defended the Entertainment Complex Bill, set for parliamentary debate on April 9, as a vital economic measure amid rising US tariffs on Thai goods.

While opposition continues inside and outside parliament, Mr Phumtham insisted the bill’s fate should be decided through democratic processes — not protests.

The bill, which includes casino operations within an integrated entertainment complex, aims to generate significant revenue and counter the 36% US tariff hike on Thai goods — far higher than Singapore’s 10%, he said.

Mr Phumtham argued the measure would boost Thailand’s financial resilience and dismissed concerns that it promotes gambling addiction. He said strict entry rules, including age and income restrictions, would help mitigate risk.

“This isn’t about encouraging gambling — it’s about economic survival,” he said.

He urged critics to join the parliamentary debate and cited results from the government’s online public hearing held between Feb 28 and March 14, in which more than 70,000 people participated, with around 80% supporting the bill.

While acknowledging the right to protest, he warned such demonstrations should not be seen as representing the entire nation.

He said public opinion often differs from that of opposition parties and civil groups, stressing the need to respect the democratic process and let parliament decide.

The post Thai Deputy PM Defends Entertainment Complex Bill as Shield Against US Trade Move appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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AGCO

Playnetic granted Ontario supplier license

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Global B2B iGaming content provider secures first Canadian market entry following the successful submission and approval of its gaming-related supplier application

Playnetic, the in-demand global B2B iGaming content provider known for its quality games, reliable delivery and outstanding customer service, has announced the approval of its gaming-related supplier application by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

With the AGCO licensing process being recognised in the industry for its rigorous standards and thorough due diligence, the new certification confirms Playnetic was able to meet the high levels of integrity and regulatory compliance needed to legally distribute its content within the province.

As a result of the approval, Playnetic has now secured its first Canadian market entry and will be able to provide its library of innovative games to licensed operators in the Ontario region – with this starting point paving the way for further expansion into other regulated provinces in future.

Given signs of change emerging within the Canadian market and Alberta making progress toward a regulated online model – likely drawing from Ontario’s framework – this license positions Playnetic strongly to expand its footprint in the country and further solidifies the company’s ambitious growth plans.

In the meantime, Playnetic has already begun making groundwork with key operators in the Ontario region and is looking forward to going live with some exciting brands over the coming months. The company will also be attending SBC’s Canadian Gaming Summit from June 17-19, where both existing and new potential partners alike are welcome to stop by and meet the team.

Dan Phillips, Chief Executive Officer at Playnetic, said: “Acquiring AGCO approval for our gaming-related supplier application is undoubtedly a big step for Playnetic. The new license not only secures our first Canadian market entry, but also reaffirms Playnetic’s position as a trusted provider in iGaming and underlines our commitment to compliance and operational excellence.”

Julian Borg-Barthet, Chief Commercial Officer at Playnetic, said: “We’re very excited to now be in a position to offer our library of innovative gaming content in Ontario, and the groundwork to do that with some of the region’s biggest licensed operators is already underway. Over time, we’re confident this license will also help us expand further into current markets and emerging regulated provinces, such as Alberta.”

The post Playnetic granted Ontario supplier license appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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