The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the gambling regulator in Malta, announced it has decided to cancel Betago Limited’s authorization. Although the announcement came Thursday, the Authority explained that it is in effect as of January 8, 2024. The latest decision comes after the MGA uncovered that the operator breached the established gambling regulations in the country. Before the cancellation of the authorization, last year, Betago’s license was suspended. This suspension effectively stopped the operator from offering its gambling services to players online.

Now, considering the latest decision, the operator has been directed to settle all outstanding fees due to the MGA. Betago was given seven days to comply with this demand, effective from the day its authorization was canceled. Not unexpectedly, the MGA also directed the operator to refund all money due to legitimate players, confirming that such actions are in accordance with Malta’s Gaming Act, Chapter 583.

“The Malta Gaming Authority has decided to cancel the authorization awarded to Betago Limited, bearing reference numbers MGA/B2C/355/2016, effective as of 08 January 2024 in terms of regulation 10 (1) (a) with direct application of reg. 9 (1) (c), (d), (i), (l) and (m) and regulation 10 (1) (b) of the Gaming Compliance and Enforcement Regulations,“

reads a statement released by the MGA

The Operator Needs to Remove Any Reference to the MGA

To verify that the operator complied with the aforementioned requirements, the MGA confirmed that a back-end report along with the relevant bank statements must be provided within a seven-day period. This otherwise will enable the gambling regulator to ensure Betago has issued refunds to all of its players who still had funds in their accounts.

Unsurprisingly, Betago can no longer feature any reference to the MGA via its website. The gambling watchdog said the operator needs to “remove, with immediate effect, any reference to the Authority and the authorizations in accordance with article 51 of the Act.”

The tough action against Betago comes after recently, the MGA confirmed it suspended Rush Gaming’s license. Upon announcing the suspension, the Authority confirmed the operator is eligible to appeal the decision under Article 43 of the country’s Gambling Act.

Suspending the authorization awarded to Rush Gaming is effective from January 9, 2024. Per the suspension, the operator can no longer offer online gambling services. Yet, Rush Gaming needs to ensure its registered users have access to their accounts and proceed with refunds of all money due.

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The gambling regulator in Malta, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), announced a new sanction against a license holder in the country. The regulatory watchdog revealed Friday that it decided to suspend the authorization of SFJL Holding Limited. At the time of the announcement, the MGA said that the authorized company is no longer allowed to conduct any gambling activities. This is in effect throughout the suspension’s operative period, explains the MGA in a statement.

Judging by the latest announcement, the suspension comes after the regulator claimed it uncovered multiple breaches by SFJL Holding Limited. The Authority said that the operator breached multiple provisions within regulatory condition 9 of its established regulations.

The MGA claimed that the operator breached provisions 9 (1) (c), 9 (1) (k) and 9 (1) (j). Describing the alleged breaches, the MGA said that 9 (1) (c) relates to failure to “comply with one or more applicable obligations in terms of any regulatory instrument or any other applicable law of Malta.”

On the other hand, 9 (1) (k) of the regulations refers to failure to seek approval from the MGA for a material change in cases where such approval is required or the failure to notify the gambling regulator for such material change where such notification is needed.

While the suspension prevents SFJL Holding Limited from conducting any gaming operations for the duration of the suspension, the company has the option to file an appeal.

The Gambling Regulator Remains Vigilant

The latest sanction imposed by the MGA comes after last month, the regulator issued another suspension of the authorization of another gambling operator. At the time, the regulator said that it suspended the authorization of Tipster Limited, effectively stopping the licensee from offering gambling activities. This suspension came on the grounds of the company “being wound up” and was in accordance with reg. 9 (1) (f) of the established Regulations, explained the gambling watchdog at the time.

Before that, in June, the MGA imposed a tough regulatory sanction against the Malta-based iGaming and betting operator, MKC Limited. The tough sanction was a cancellation of the operator’s license, which effectively stopped it from providing online betting and gaming activities. The sanction came during a difficult time for MKC after its Betworld247 brand was asked to exit the regulated gambling market in the Netherlands.

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