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New gambling law in Malta from July 1
After a three-month standstill period in the European Commission, the new gambling law will come into force in Malta on July 1.
The act was proposed in the Maltese Parliament this spring and introduced to the EC for an obligatory review. It aims to dismantle the country’s current gambling regulatory system. The existing system grants licenses in several classes, but the proposed system will only have two categories of licenses: a business-to-business (B2B) one and a business-to-consumer (B2C) one, depending on the focus of applicants’ operations.
The new Gaming Act comes as the first revision of Malta’s gambling legislation in fourteen years and was initiated by the Malta Gaming Authority’s former Executive Chairman, Joseph Cuschieri.
Mr. Cuschieri assumed office at the island nation’s gambling regulator in the fall of 2013. Earlier this year, he was appointed CEO of the Malta Financial Authority, which required him to leave his post at the MGA. He was replaced by former MGA Chief Operations Officer Heathcliff Farrugia.
Aside from introducing a simplified licensing system, Malta’s new Gaming Act provides the MGA with extended regulatory powers and enforcement functions. The regulatory body will thus be able and expected to implement stricter rules and tools for countering money laundering, terrorism financing, and other illicit financial flows often associated with the gambling industry.
What’s Next for Malta’s Gaming Industry?
Malta has become an important gambling hub in the years since its gaming law was last revised. The nation’s gambling industry currently represents 12 per cent of its annual GDP and is poised to grow in the coming years.
The new Gaming Act is expected to facilitate the process of providing gaming services from Malta by introducing a simplified licensing process and thus boost the growth of the nation’s gaming industry even further. The new law also aims to bring Malta’s regulatory regime in line with the current iGaming landscape and demand for iGaming services.
The new regulatory regime is now set to come into effect from July 1, 2018 for remote gambling operations, and from January 1, 2019 for land-based businesses. It is also important to note that providers of B2B services will be exempt from taxes under the new regulations. That particular language in Malta’s new law aims to turn the nation into an even more attractive tech hub.
While the island nation is already home to some of the world’s largest online gambling companies, it is expected that Gibraltar’s uncertain post-Brexit future could result in industry stakeholders reducing their presence in the British Overseas Territory or leaving it altogether in favour of opening or extending their Malta operations.
Reports emerged last month that bet365 might be gearing up to leave Gibraltar and relocate its operations to Malta where it already runs business. The company denied those reports by confirming plans to expand its business in Malta but not at the expense of its Gibraltar operations.
Source: CasinoNewsDaily
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
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GamCare releases Annual Report following record breaking year of support on the National Gambling Helpline
GamCare’s National Gambling Helpline received a record 55,228 calls and online chats from people experiencing gambling harm in 2023-24 – a 25% increase from the previous year – according to the charity’s Annual Report.
In a year marked by uncertainty over the future shape and structure of the gambling harms treatment sector following the previous government’s white paper on gambling reform, the charity continued to prioritise those at-risk of, or currently experiencing, gambling harm.
Of all calls and online chats that were responded to on GamCare’s Helpline in 2023/24, 41,070 (74%) were classed as supportive interventions. This includes supporting people with initial guidance and advice as well as delivering a seamless entry point into structured treatment services, with individuals completing treatment reporting a significant reduction in gambling-related distress and financial harm.
In March 2024, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities published an assessment of the gambling treatment system, highlighting that 57% of individuals engaging in treatment were referred by the National Gambling Helpline. This underscores the Helpline’s critical role in connecting people to the support they need. Over 9,100 free treatment sessions were delivered in the year to April 2024, with an average of just 2.1 days’ wait from point of referral.
GamCare’s targeted programmes aimed at young people, women, and the criminal justice system provided training on how to spot the signs of harms and where to signpost into support for 10,344 professionals, and education for 53,324 young people, children and parents. The Women’s Programme, in partnership with organisations such as Refuge, trained 3,813 professionals to recognise and address gambling-related harm among women.
Margot Daly, Executive Chair of GamCare’s Board, says: “Throughout a challenging year and with heightened demand for our services, GamCare’s staff have got on with the job of preventing harm where possible and treating harm where necessary. While we expect important changes in the gambling harms landscape, we have been determined not to let this uncertainty affect our relentless focus on the people who really matter – those at-risk of or currently experiencing gambling harms.
“I would like to thank and pay tribute to our frontline staff who provide 24/7 support for all those at risk or in distress. I also want to thank GamCare’s senior executive team who have steered GamCare through a period of sustained change, and to my fellow trustees for their guidance, unwavering support and the time each has dedicated to ensuring that the charity stays on course and on mission.
“As we look ahead to how the future of the gambling harms sector is shaped, we are committed to working proactively with the NHS and other partners and commissioners to ensure that people are continually able to receive the right support at the right time.”
The post GamCare releases Annual Report following record breaking year of support on the National Gambling Helpline appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Kambi Group plc repurchase of shares during 18 December – 23 December 2024
Kambi Group plc (“Kambi”) has during the period 18 December to 23 December 2024 (the “Buyback Period”) repurchased a total of 40,000 ordinary B shares (ISIN: MT0000780107) as part of the share buyback programme, within the mandate approved at the Extraordinary General Meeting on 20 June 2024 (the “Programme”).
The objective of the Programme is to achieve added value for Kambi´s shareholders and to give the Board increased flexibility with Kambi´s capital structure by reducing the capital. The Programme is being carried out in accordance with the Maltese Companies Act, EU Market Abuse Regulation No 596/2014 (“MAR”) and other applicable rules.
During the Buyback Period, Kambi repurchased a total of 40,000 ordinary B shares at a volume-weighted average price of 99.13 SEK. From the beginning of the Programme, which started on 6 November, until and including 23 December 2024, Kambi has repurchased a total of 344,000 ordinary B shares at a volume-weighted average price of 104.94 SEK per share.
During the Buyback Period, Kambi has repurchased shares as follows:
Date | Aggregated daily volume (number of ordinary B shares) |
Weighted average share price per day (SEK) |
Total daily transaction value (SEK) |
18 December 2024 | 10,000 | 100.00 | 999,967 |
19 December 2024 | 10,000 | 99.39 | 993,929 |
20 December 2024 | 10,000 | 98.86 | 988,588 |
23 December 2024 | 10,000 | 98.26 | 982,562 |
All acquisitions have been carried out on Nasdaq First North Growth Market in Stockholm by Carnegie Investment Bank AB on behalf of Kambi. Following the acquisitions and as of 23 December 2024, Kambi’s holding of its own shares amounted to 344,000 and the total number of issued shares in Kambi is 29,903,619 ordinary B shares. Under the Programme Kambi is authorised to repurchase a maximum of 3,127,830 ordinary B shares, up to a maximum amount of €12.0 million.
A full breakdown of all transactions carried out during the Buyback Period is attached to this announcement.
Information on the Programme is available on Kambi’s website, https://www.kambi.com/investors/share-information/
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8Bit Creatives Joins Forces with ESFI as Talent Partner for WAVES Esports Championship 2025
The Esports Federation of India (ESFI) has joined forces with 8Bit Creatives, India’s leading esports consulting and talent management agency for the WAVES Esports Championship 2025 (WESC25). Through this collaboration, both organizations will work together for the content creation, amplification and reach of the WESC25 and take it to India’s massive youth population.
Organised by ESFI, WESC 2025 is a key initiative supported by India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting aimed at contributing to the growth of the nation’s burgeoning esports industry & creator economy. This event will be part of one of the Create in India Challenges by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under the esteemed World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES).
With a roster that includes some of India’s most influential gaming content creators, 8Bit Creatives will leverage the creativity and popularity of its talent to amplify the event’s visibility. Their creators, including Naman Mathur (Mortal), Payal Dhare (PayalGaming), Raj Varma (Snax), Kaashvi Hiranandani (KaashPlays), and many others, will host and participate in various engaging activities while interacting with fans to enhance the overall reach and excitement surrounding WESC 2025.
“WESC 2025 represents a tremendous leap forward for the Indian esports community. We are delighted to have 8Bit Creatives and their popular gaming creators on board, whose expertise will undoubtedly help amplify the event’s reach and impact. With qualifiers in full swing, we’re eagerly anticipating fierce competition as India’s top athletes strive for a place on the grand stage in February,” noted Mr. Lokesh Suji, Director of ESFI & Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF).
Sharing his thoughts, Animesh Agarwal aka 8Bit Thug, CEO and Co-founder of 8Bit Creatives said, “WAVES 2025 marks a groundbreaking chapter in India’s esports journey, and we’re thrilled to be the talent partners driving this initiative. As one of India’s leading talent hubs in gaming and esports, 8bit Creatives brings unparalleled energy and scale to WAVES 2025. This is more than a partnership; it’s a platform to showcase the potential of esports as a viable and celebrated career path while underscoring the government’s support for our rapidly growing gaming and creator economy. With our creators and innovative content strategies, we’re here to make history together!.”
WESC 2025 will feature competitive tournaments in popular titles such as eFootball and World Cricket Championship (WCC), played across four phases and Grand Finals. Notably, the winner of the eFootball tournament (Phase 1), MrTomBoy, won the bronze medal at the Asian Esports Games, Bangkok, showcasing WESC’s talent potential. Committed to inclusivity, the event is gender-inclusive, with qualifiers for eFootball (Phase 2) and WCC3 (Phase 1) already underway. Upcoming registrations include eFootball Phase 3 (Dec 18 – Jan 1) and WCC3 Phase 2 (Dec 15 – Dec 26).
8Bit Creatives’ esports and content division, S8UL, made history by winning the ‘Content Group of the Year’ award for the third consecutive time at the Esports Awards 2024, remaining the only Indian organization to achieve any Esports Award. Earlier this year, founders Animesh Agarwal, Naman Mathur, and creator Payal Dhare also joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a roundtable discussion on India’s gaming industry, showcasing 8Bit’s pivotal role in advancing esports and fostering a sustainable ecosystem for gaming content creators.
The post 8Bit Creatives Joins Forces with ESFI as Talent Partner for WAVES Esports Championship 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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