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Compliance Updates

King Billy Casino, a proud holder of MGA license

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One of the world’s most beautiful archipelagos (yes, Malta is not just one island). Set of epic films and TV shows, like Troy, Gladiator and Game of Thrones. A walker’s paradise during almost all seasons of the year, with stunning views from dramatic cliff edges. Fantastic cuisine. Picturesque capital Valetta.

And yet, when it comes to online gaming, there is something more in Malta than the above, something that has turned it into the Mecca of the gambling world. We are talking of course about the Malta Gaming Authority which has become the world’s preferred remote gaming regulator. Don’t get us wrong Curacao license holders, your license is still decent, but Malta is in a league of its own.

How have the Malta Gaming Authority done it? By offering a solid legal framework for service providers, operators and online players. Any company which wishes to obtain the coveted MGA gambling license has to meet a number of strict criteria, ranging from ownership structure and credibility to integrity and competence.

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Which brings us to the happy news from the King Billy Kingdom. It was due and it is now a fact, that King Billy Casino, owner of several impressive industry distinctions, awards and trophies in less than 3 years of operations is now also a proud holder of the MGA license.

Good news from the Kingdom, so we reached out to a few key persons of the organization for statements. King Billy Casino CEO Volodymyr Harkusha (and “First Lord” of the Kingdom) explains: “At King Billy Casino, we view our course, so far, as a journey where the destination can only be reached by taking methodical steps. One of these steps, actually a giant leap for us, is our MGA license.”

So, what has changed for King Billy Casino with the new license? Harkusha points out “You know, even before the MGA license, we were implementing a modus operandi at King Billy Casino, exactly as if we had a Malta license. This means a policy of full transparency. We expect that combining this policy with the Malta regulations will make the relationship with our players even more reliable, trustworthy and secure.”

And what about new opportunities? Ruslan Legenzov, King Billy Casino Head of Affiliates (and “Lord of Affiliates” of the Kingdom) shares his thoughts with us: “Plenty of opportunities, which we will try to capitalize at a maximum level. New payment systems, like Trustly, the “darling” PSP of European players will now be available at King Billy, along with tax-free transactions.

Furthermore, our King Billy Casino MGA site will feature a brand new Loyalty Program with a refined bonus system and no less than 7 levels: Citizen, Baron, Earl, Marquess, Duke, Prince, and finally King, next to King Billy himself. Female titles apply too for ladies, so we invite everyone, above 18 years of age for a ride.”

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The King Billy Casino CEO compared the casino’s course to a journey. So, what is the destination of the journey? Volodymyr smiles “We are trying to make it the most interesting type of journey – a never ending one!”

We must admit that we like this way of thinking, and for the time being we reckon that “His Majesty King Billy and his faithful servants” could use some rest on this long journey. And what best place to rest than Malta?

MGA, the Malta Gaming Authority, is a Malta-based Gaming Control Board. Its mission, since its inception in 2001, is based on the principle of having a transparent and fair gaming sector in Malta, to safeguard against corruption and crime and offer protection to vulnerable players and minors.

King Billy Casino is a new generation online casino, available in 6 languages (English, German, Russian, Finnish, Norwegian and Japanese) with an impressive record in awards and a remarkable variety of games and features. King Billy has prioritized the creation of a superb user experience focusing on the myth of King Billy and his Kingdom and treats all players with the specialness they deserve.

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Compliance Updates

MGA Marks Safer Gambling Week by Hosting Focus Group on Addressing Problem Gambling

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As part of Safer Gambling Week, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has launched the first in a series of focus groups aimed at addressing problem gambling and its effects on Maltese communities.

Bringing together key stakeholders such as Caritas Malta, Aġenzija Sedqa, the OASI Foundation and the Responsible Gaming Foundation, the session explored a self-assessment tool that the Authority is currently developing, grounded in recent research and industry trends.

The self-assessment tool, which will be available both in English and in Maltese, will guide individuals through a set of questions to help them identify whether gambling is causing harm in their lives. Based on the user’s responses, the tool will provide personalised recommendations and direct them to appropriate support services.

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With invaluable input from organisations experienced in supporting individuals affected by problem gambling, the tool will undergo further refinement to maximise its effectiveness and relevance.

Clinical Chair at Aġenzija Sedqa, Anna Maria Vella, hailed the focus group as a “welcome initiative” which brought together a multidisciplinary team of experts.

“Working together and not in silos is always beneficial. We learn from each other to be more effective.”

Louis Bellizzi, Secretary of Caritas’ Foundation for Victims of Usury, said: “The MGA is in a unique position to coordinate the national effort to help alleviate the scourge of gambling addictions.”

In recent years, the Authority has taken significant steps to promote safer gambling practices, ranging from regular supervisory reviews on responsible gambling to enforcing stricter regulations.

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The MGA closely monitors operators’ implementation of behavioural monitoring systems, self-exclusion systems and responsible marketing practices.

With a focus on high-risk areas, the Authority is refining its supervisory approach to be more dynamic and data-driven, ensuring responsible gambling practices are maintained and continuously improved to protect players effectively.

The MGA’s efforts align closely with the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA)’s initiative to establish a unified European standard for identifying markers of harm. The MGA is actively engaged in this initiative, working closely with fellow regulators and industry experts to create a comprehensive standard aimed at early identification of behaviours indicative of problem gambling.

The Authority’s proactive involvement in such initiatives underscores its dedication to fostering a responsible and transparent gaming sector, both locally and across Europe.

The post MGA Marks Safer Gambling Week by Hosting Focus Group on Addressing Problem Gambling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Serbia’s ZLF Urges Total Ban on Gambling Ads

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Serbia’s Zeleno-Levi Front (ZLF/Green-Left Front), a local green political party, is advocating for a total ban on gambling ads in the country. According to its representatives, banning all ads would be the most surefire way to protect the public from gambling harm.

The ZLF just organised the Games of Chance, Games with the Health of Citizens (Igre na sreću, igre sa zdravljem građana) forum, scrutinising the gaming industry and its negative consequences. During the forum, representatives slammed the government’s recent proposal to limit gambling ads, saying that this wouldn’t be enough.

For context, the government recently proposed a ban on gambling ads featuring prominent celebrities, mirroring similar measures in other regulated markets. For context, Serbian law currently allows professional athletes to advertise betting products, to safer gambling advocates’ dismay.

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The ZLF, however, believes that its total ban would be the most effective way to minimise potential harm. During the forum, National Assembly member Biljana Đorđević noted that the ZLF had submitted a ban proposal in March but regretted that the government had not responded to the proposal or discussed the matter.

Đorđević suggested that Minister of Internal and External Trade Tomislav Momirović has been avoiding the discussion. Momirović, for context, has previously suggested reducing the visibility of gambling ads by prohibiting ads on billboards on busier roads and streets.

Echoing arguments and concerns raised in other regulated markets, Đorđević said that having celebrities promote gambling exposed children to potential danger. Since younger audiences are more easily affected by marketing, this could cause them to associate betting as a normal part of sports.

ZLF MP Marina Mijatović repeated these claims, saying that the government has so far done a bad job at protecting minors from negative exposure to gambling. While Mijatović acknowledged that Serbia cannot prohibit gambling, she noted that the ads do not need to be so eye-catching and appealing.

The post Serbia’s ZLF Urges Total Ban on Gambling Ads appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Cassiano Pereira Junior

GLI Becomes First Laboratory to be Accredited in Maranhão, Brazil

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Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has become the first laboratory to achieve accreditation in Maranhão, Brazil. The accreditation allows GLI to perform tests and certification for the gambling and lottery industry interested in working with lottery and fixed-odds betting operators in the state of Maranhão.

The milestone is the latest in a series of regulatory achievements for GLI in Brazil. Lottery of the State of Maranhão is the third jurisdiction in Brazil to accredit laboratories, and GLI is accredited in all and the first to be authorized in all.

Cassiano Pereira Junior, president of Maranhão Parcerias (Mapa), highlighted the importance of the partnership between the Maranhão State Lottery (Lotema) and GLI. “Every day we strive to make Lotema even better, providing greater security for its users. The partnership with GLI is a concrete way of achieving this goal, as its certification laboratories play an important role for the gaming and lottery industry, guaranteeing the conformity, security, and integrity of the products and systems used by Lotema,” Cassiano explained.

“We are grateful to the Lottery of the State of Maranhão for granting GLI the laboratory accreditation, becoming the first to be authorized in Maranhão. It is extremely gratifying to see how Lotema empower themselves by trusting the technical compliance process to provide transparency, integrity, and accountability to all the industry stakeholders through the certification process. The laboratory accreditation is the first step for a successful implementation of the certification based on jurisdictional standards, and the reason why we at GLI take this step very seriously and with great priority every time a new jurisdiction opens. We feel responsible for being part of the solution towards a fast and efficient implementation of regulations, thus supporting further local industry development and sustainable growth. We are grateful to Lotema and excited to be part of its thriving industry,” said Karen Sierra-Hughes, Vice President of Latin America, Caribbean, and Spain.

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GLI has been working with regulators, lotteries, and industry stakeholders across the Latin American and Caribbean region for more than 26 years in their efforts toward regulation, sustainable growth, and eradicating illegal gaming. In Brazil, GLI has been side by side with government entities and all industry stakeholders for nearly 20 years, participating in public hearings in the Senate, Chamber of Deputies, and State government level, and in recent years, adding strategic local representation to strengthen their local support.

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