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The MGA publishes its 2021 Annual Report and Financial Statements

Published

2 years ago

September 16, 2022

Reading Time: 5 minutes

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA/Authority) is publishing its Annual Report and audited Financial Statements for the financial year ending 31 December 2021. The report provides an overview of the Authority’s achievements during the year under review and outlines the performance of the Maltese gaming industry during 2021, coupled with a medium-term outlook into the future. This is also followed by a detailed report explaining key statistics for the land-based and online gaming sectors.

Supervisory Activities

54 on-site compliance audits were conducted and 230 desktop reviews were carried out, accounting for 65.5% coverage of the licensees base during 2021, accompanied by additional AML/CFT compliance examinations that are carried out by the FIAU, or the MGA on its behalf. Following information which emerged from compliance audits, compliance reviews and formal investigations, the Authority issued 64 warnings and cancelled seven (7) licences. In addition, the MGA issued a total of 31 administrative penalties as well as three (3) regulatory settlements, with a collective total financial penalty of €176,016.
An additional 10 licensees were subject to enforcement measures by the FIAU, ranging from written reprimands to administrative penalties, based on the breaches identified during examinations carried out in previous years, including by the MGA. In total these amounted to just over €863,000.
13 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. An additional three (3) applications were rejected by the Supervisory Council.
Over 1,150 criminal probity screening checks were undertaken on individuals., shareholders and ultimate beneficial owners, key persons and other employees, and companies from both the land-based and online gaming sectors.
The Authority continued with its commitment to supervise its online gaming licensees and conducted 91 interviews with prospective MLROs and key persons carrying out the AML/CFT function to determine the knowledge and suitability of each candidate.
The Commercial Communication Committee of the MGA issued a total of 21 letters of Breach, of which 13 operators were found to be in breach of the Commercial Communications Regulations, (S.L. 583.09).
In its efforts to protect players and encourage responsible gambling the Authority assisted a total of 6,170 players that requested assistance, covering most of the cases received during 2021 and the spill-over from 2020.
The MGA also investigated 79 cases of websites having misleading references to the Authority and published a total of 61 notices on its website with the aim to prevent the public from falling victim to such scams. Furthermore, an additional 26 responsible gambling website checks were conducted.
A sectoral risk assessment on money laundering and funding of terrorism-related risks affecting the land-based and online gaming sectors in Malta was undertaken.

Improvements in Efficiency and Effectiveness

With the aim of reducing any unnecessary bureaucracy on its licensees, the Authority has reviewed the Gaming Licence Application Process as well as launched the Personal Portfolio.
Improvements have been made in the way non-compliance matters are notified to the relevant licensee, and how operators are directed to rectify their position.
The MGA published amendments to the ‘Guidance on the use of Innovative Technology Arrangements and the acceptance of Virtual Financial Assets and Virtual Tokens through the implementation of a Sandbox Environment’.
Amendments to Article 22 of the Player Protection Directive (Directive 2 of 2018) were published, accompanied by a policy paper on ‘Amending the Return to Player Minimum Percentage’. Such amendments aim to streamline the minimum Return to Player percentage applicable to licensees across all sectors.
A series of amendments to the Gaming Authorisations and Compliance Directive (Directive 3 of 2018) were published, including the extension of the applicability of suspicious betting reporting requirements to B2B licensees as well as broader amendments to the key functions. The latter was accompanied by the introduction of the Key Function Eligibility Criteria Policy which outlines the requirements the persons holding the various key functions are expected to fulfil in order to satisfactorily perform these duties which are vital for the applicable regulatory outcomes.
A public consultation on the Applicability of the System and Compliance Audit Service Provider Guidelines to Financial Audit was issued with the aim of communicating and refining the proposal being put forward in relation to revised Guidelines and in order to promote a greater understanding of the proposal itself.
The Authority established a dedicated Business Transformation team, tasked with assisting each of the MGA’s directorates to continuously re-assess and improve processes, to increase efficiency and reduce administrative burdens on the MGA and industry alike, and to focus resources where these truly provide added value.

National and International Cooperation

A new alerting process was introduced vis-à-vis the sharing of knowledge on suspicious events that is reported with the whole industry without revealing the source of the information. Since its introduction, during the last quarter of 2021, a total of 72 alerts were sent to the industry, which resulted in a total of 20 new suspicious betting reports received via the Suspicious Betting Reporting Mechanism after such alerts were corresponded.
A total of 131 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. As a result of such requests, data was exchanged in 41 instances. Additionally, a total of 329 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 the manipulation of sports competitions or breaches in sports rules, as well as an indirect participant in 29 such investigations.
The Authority received a total of 89 international cooperation requests from other regulators and sent 75 such requests, with the majority referring to requests for background checks as part of an authorisation process.
A total of 125 letters of Good Standing were issued providing feedback on the regulatory good standing of our licenced operators to the relevant authorities asking for this information.
An International Affairs Strategy has been devised as one of the measures aimed at enhancing Malta’s international credibility, fostering collaborative relationships with targeted stakeholders and mitigating the risks that the gaming industry in Malta is facing.
In collaboration with the Malta Institute of Accountants two technical release notices were published, “Audit 02/21 Gaming Tax Payable and Levy on Gaming Devices” and “Audit 02/21 – Player Funds and Jackpot Funds”.
Through a joint collaboration between the Authority, the FIAU and the MFSA, a document was published providing an overview of the key findings of Business Risk Assessments carried out by subject persons as per their obligations under the PMLFTR and the FIAU’s Implementing Procedures.
A two-day workshop in collaboration with Bank of Valletta was organised, whereby various aspects of the control mechanisms as a Regulator were discussed.

In publishing this report, the CEO, Dr Carl Brincat said: “As an organisation, beyond continuing to ensure that we meet our day-to-day objectives, we used 2021 to start laying the groundwork for improvements that we will see in the months and years to come. It is a priority for us to move towards leaner and more efficient processes, to remove unnecessary bureaucracy which introduces burdens on the industry without providing added value, and to become more effective in achieving our regulatory priorities.”

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Key Market Entry at a floor price of $4.5 Million, Casino.jp is on the Market Amid Japan’s iGaming Expansion.

Published

9 hours ago

May 7, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

In an unprecedented move within the iGaming and domain sectors, the sought-after domain name Casino.jp is now open for acquisition for the first time. With a starting price of $4.5 million USD, this domain represents a rare entry point into Japan’s burgeoning gambling market, facilitated by an enterprise-oriented domain brokerage, Domainer.com.

Japan, with its complex gambling laws, is on the brink of a gaming revolution, highlighted by the 2023 approval of the $8.1 Billion casino-centred integrated resort in Osaka. Set to open in 2029, it is a collaboration between MGM Resorts and Orix, as reported by Reuters. This venture is rekindling interest among major operators and investors, eager to explore the untapped Japanese market.

The Catalyst Behind the Buzz

Why should the iGaming and domain communities take notice? For starters, the anticipated opening of the Osaka Resort in 2029 is set to shake up the Asian gambling landscape, currently dominated by Macau. With Macau generating over $22.7 billion USD in 2023 alone, the new resort poses a formidable challenge, promising to divert significant revenue streams with its projected annual earnings of $3.5 billion USD, almost half of that reported by Las Vegas entirely in 2023.

Domain Names: The Gateway to Industry Dominance

The value of premium gambling domain names cannot be overstated, having commanded staggering sums in the past. Icons like Slots.com and Casino.com were sold, in 2010 and 2003 respectively, for as much as $5.5 million USD each, underscoring the critical role of a powerful domain in establishing market presence. “Choosing the right domain is the first step in making a bold market entry,” states Ian Garner Chief Domain Officer of Domainer.com, emphasizing the importance of domains in branding and market visibility. Domainer.com’s recent $15 million USD brokerage of a deal for NFTS.com further illustrates the high stakes involved in domain trading.

Navigating Japan’s Gambling Regulations

While Japan’s gambling laws are currently restrictive, the government is progressively legalizing new forms of betting, including sports-related activities like horse races, boat races, and indoor cycling. However, the online gambling scene remains tightly controlled, with the anticipated legalization in some sectors sparking a significant potential for growth. As regulations evolve, early investment in a domain like Casino.jp could position an entity advantageously, ready to capitalize as the market opens further.

In Conclusion:

Casino.jp is more than a domain—it’s a key to unlocking Japan’s lucrative, yet tightly regulated gambling industry. This is a strategic call to entities poised to establish a foothold in a market on the cusp of substantial regulatory changes. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Ian Garner through Casino.jp’s contact page or directly via Domainer.com to explore this unparalleled investment opportunity.

The post Key Market Entry at a floor price of $4.5 Million, Casino.jp is on the Market Amid Japan’s iGaming Expansion. appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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BGaming donates to Brazilian art institute in support of creative children’s projects

Published

15 hours ago

May 7, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Popular iGaming content provider BGaming has bolstered its ongoing commitment to grassroots arts by making donations to the A7MA Galeria Institute in Sao Paulo, Brazil, which supports children’s creative development.

As part of its ‘When Art Meets Gaming’ project, BGaming has collaborated with several local artists to create murals for industry events over the last year. For SiGMA Americas in April, the studio also chose to give back to the host city by funding art projects for children.

BGaming made a donation to support three charity initiatives. A portion was donated to coordinate a visit to the A7MA Gallery, where children from the Felicidarte Project took a tour of popular tourist attraction ‘Batman’s Alley’ and learnt about the art. Later, A7MA funded an activity where children were invited to transform the facades of their homes into colourful murals.

Another part of the donation was allocated to renovations for Felicidarte Project’s warehouse space, to revamp the area so it can invite school groups each week and distribute food to the underprivileged areas.

The significant charitable push follows a successful SiGMA Americas in Sao Paulo from 23^rd to 26^th April, where BGaming collaborated with artistic duo, Clandestinos Art, to reinterpret BGaming’s iconic game heroes, and create a limited edition merchandise collection, branded gifts and their stand design.

Marina Ostrovtsova, CEO at BGaming, said: “At BGaming, it brings us so much joy to see our donations promoting art among the young people of Sao Paulo.

“As we have proven over the past year with our ‘Art Meets Gaming’ project, creativity unites us all and we were delighted to hear how much the children enjoyed the activities provided. We can’t wait to hear about these budding artist’s creations in the future.”

Marcos Ramos Enivo, Artist and Counsellor at A7MA Galeria Institute, said: “We are grateful to BGaming for their support of our work at A7MA. The activities exceeded our expectations, with 47 artists present and 46 facades revitalised by the children.

“It was an absolute success. People in the favelas who are sometimes invisible to the government can now feel seen, recognised and valued.”

BGaming is a fast-growing iGaming content provider converting gambling into gaming. Thanks to an expert team and a player-driven approach, the studio creates innovative and engaging products featured on reputable platforms and 1,100+ online casinos worldwide. BGaming is the world’s first to support cryptocurrencies and offer Provably Fair games. Today the brand’s portfolio includes 150+ products with HD graphics and a clear user interface for every device. The studio is also known for its brand exclusives created in partnerships with leading operators in the industry.

The post BGaming donates to Brazilian art institute in support of creative children’s projects appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Global Esports onboards sports psychologist Dr. Michelle Pain to its BGMI Team

Published

15 hours ago

May 7, 2024

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Global Esports, a leader in South Asia’s gaming scene, proudly welcomes Dr. Michelle Pain as the official Sports Psychologist for their newly formed BGMI team (Battlegrounds Mobile India). Dr. Michelle is geared up to facilitate the mental training sessions for the GE players as they embark on the highly-anticipated new BGMI season, the ‘BGIS 2024’ (Battlegrounds Mobile India Series 2024). Her role is centred on cultivating a positive mindset among Esports players, helping them navigate the challenges of competitive gaming while leveraging sports psychology principles. The BGMI lineup includes experienced IGL – Harmandeep “Mavi” along with young talents like Tanjot “Ninjaboi” Singh, Raghuraj “Slug” Singh, Harshit “Beast” Yadav and Akshit “Arclyn” Kumar.

A seasoned private practitioner in sports psychology working in traditional sports, her tenure as a tertiary lecturer at Monash University, Victoria University, and Deakin University adds invaluable experience to her illustrious career. Dr. Pain is also known for her pioneering work in developing innovative and accessible resources tailored for athletes and coaches, such as the acclaimed Pocket Psychology series. She has also authored an eBook ‘Sport Psychology Tools for Every Coach and Athlete’ that encapsulates her wealth of practical insights and knowledge. She also conducts educational workshops in sports psychology, catering to coaches at all levels and empowering them with effective strategies to optimize athlete performance.

Dr. Rushindra Sinha, CEO and Founder, Global Esports, said, “Dr. Michelle Pain’s innovative approach to addressing players’ psychological needs aligns perfectly with our vision to continuously innovate and empower our athletes and grow as professional players. Her invaluable guidance and rich experience will equip our players with the focus, resilience, and emotional balance needed to become the best version of themselves as they embark on this BGIS journey.”

With an extensive career spanning over three decades, Dr. Michelle brings unmatched expertise in empowering elite athletes and coaches across diverse sports organisations to optimize mental resilience and achieve peak performance levels. She aims to assist players in coping with stress, mind fitness training, making sound decisions under pressure, improving communication, and regulating emotions to elevate their overall performance on the global stage. Her appointment underscores Global Esports’ commitment to nurturing excellence and maximizing potential within the Esports community.

The post Global Esports onboards sports psychologist Dr. Michelle Pain to its BGMI Team appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.