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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.”

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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Portside Game Assembly: Studios behind Dead Cells, Dungeon Clawler, Dorfromantik, Blasphemous on board and ticket sales for brunch and party launched

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With Portside Game Assembly, Gamecity Hamburg is welcoming studio heads and directors from successful indie game studios on a conference ship and other extraordinary locations in Hamburg on June 27. Benjamin Laulan, Co-Founder of Evil Empire, (Dead Cells, The Rogue Prince of Persia) will give a keynote on the Triple-i Initiative started by the French studio. At the Triple-i Showcase 2024, over 30 “iii games” were announced in 45 minutes, and 150,000 views were achieved on YouTube alone. Further speaker on board is Philomena Schwab, Founder of Stray Fawn Studio (Dungeon Clawler, The Wandering Village).

Portside Game Assembly celebrates its premiere as B2B-conference for international indie game leaders on June 27. There will be no direct ticket sales for the conference; instead, a curated list of participants will ensure that only studio heads and decision makers attend the conference on board a ship sailing through the port of Hamburg.

At the same time, the Networking Brunch and the Games Industry Party are open as networking events for interested contacts from the games industry to bring platform holders, publishers, and game companies into contact with the international conference participants. Studio leads from Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, France, Spain, Canada, the USA, and Germany are already on board for the conference.

Portside Game Assembly is set to be a platform for decision makers and studio leads to exchange ideas, learn from each other, and face the challenges of the games industry through collaboration.

As the first announced talk of the conference, Benjamin Laulan (Co-Founder of Evil Empire) will present a keynote on the Triple-i Initiative and how to create your own announcement space and talk directly to your audience when you can’t really relate to other existing showcases. In addition, Philomena Schwab (Founder of Stray Fawn Studio & Publishing) will give a short talk about ways for game idea validation.

The program of the Portside Game Assembly will consist of keynotes, short talks, and roundtables.

 

Selection of already confirmed participants:

  • Evil Empire (Dead Cells, The Rogue Prince of Persia) / France
  • Stray Fawn Studio (Dungeon Clawler, The Wandering Village) / Switzerland
  • The Game Kitchen (Blasphemous I & II) / Spain
  • Toukana Interactive (Dorfromantik)/ Germany
  • Ghostship Publishing (Deep Rock Galactic) / Denmark
  • Landfall Games (Content Warning, Totally Accurate Battle Simulator) / Sweden
  • Chasing Carrots (Halls of Torment) / Germany
  • Foulball Hangover (Hydroneer) / UK
  • Siege Camp (Foxhole) / Canada

The post Portside Game Assembly: Studios behind Dead Cells, Dungeon Clawler, Dorfromantik, Blasphemous on board and ticket sales for brunch and party launched appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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GR8 Tech Drives Client Success with New Chief Client Officer

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GR8 Tech is reinforcing its client-first strategy by promoting Kateryna Pozdnysheva to Chief Client Officer while she continues to lead the CRM Business Unit. Having been an integral part of GR8 Tech since its inception, Kateryna brings deep industry expertise, strong leadership, and a passion for client success to drive strategic growth and operational excellence.

A Holistic Approach to Client Success

Kateryna’s journey to Chief Client Officer started in CRM, where her team focused on developing solutions that enable operators to engage players more effectively. This foundation shaped her philosophy that client success isn’t just about tactics—it’s about creating a seamless ecosystem where product quality, service excellence, and user experience align to drive results.

In this new role, I am focusing not only on retention strategies but also on driving the overall business growth of our clients. This requires deeper collaboration, a clear understanding of their challenges, and the ability to quickly adapt to market shifts. The key takeaway for me has been the importance of being proactive—anticipating client needs rather than just responding to them, and using cutting-edge technology to deliver tailored solutions,” Kateryna shared.

The biggest challenge is balancing short-term results with long-term strategic goals. The iGaming industry evolves rapidly, and our clients’ success depends on how quickly we can adapt and offer relevant solutions.

Data-Driven Personalization in Client Support

Technology plays a vital role in client support, but Kateryna emphasizes that automation alone isn’t enough. “The real value comes from combining automation with a personalized touch. Our goal is to ensure every client interaction is not just fast but also meaningful and relevant.

Key service metrics she prioritizes include:

  • NPS (Net Promoter Score) – measuring how likely clients are to recommend GR8 Tech.
  • CSAT (Customer Satisfaction Score) – assessing satisfaction after specific interactions.

However, Kateryna believes that numbers don’t tell the full story. Direct client feedback through interviews, surveys, and one-on-one conversations provides valuable qualitative insights that drive continuous improvement and the building of stronger, trust-based relationships.

GR8 Tech’s mission is built on client support, keeping commitments, and delivering a personalized approach. With Kateryna Pozdnysheva leading the way, the company is strengthening its ability to solve client requests even more efficiently, deliver more tailored solutions, and uphold its commitments at every stage. With a sharp focus on innovation, efficiency, and sustained growth, the company is raising the bar in iGaming and empowering its clients to lead the industry.

The post GR8 Tech Drives Client Success with New Chief Client Officer appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Playson goes live with Dazzletag Entertainment to extend UK presence

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Playson, the accomplished digital entertainment supplier, has launched a selection of its Hold and Win games with UK operator Dazzletag Entertainment Ltd.

Dazzletag Entertainment owns and operates several online casino sites, including popular brands Casushi and Peachy Games, which continue to enjoy a strong growth trajectory.

Playson’s top-performing titles have gone live in the UK via Light & Wonder, including Supercharged Clovers: Hold and Win and 3 Pots Riches: Hold and Win.

The UK remains a key focus for Playson as it looks to further build its presence within one of the industry’s most recognised online gaming markets. The company’s recent tie-up with Light & Wonder provides a strong platform for future growth, with its games available on the supplier’s content marketplace that operators such as Dazzletag Entertainment are connected with.

Blanka Homor, Sales Director at Playson, said: “We are thrilled to make our debut with Dazzletag Entertainment, bringing engaging gaming experiences to even more players in the UK market.

“As the partnership progresses, we will seek to integrate more games across the operator’s brand to continue our commitment to providing the best content to players of all tastes.”

The post Playson goes live with Dazzletag Entertainment to extend UK presence appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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