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.

The post Malta Gaming Authority Cancels Authorization for Betago appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), whose purpose is to regulate gaming industry sectors by ensuring fair and transparent gaming, crime prevention, and the protection of minors and vulnerable players, has placed a Cancellation of Authorization number ‘MGA/ B2C/425/2017’ against Arabmillionaire Limited. 

The latter will need to notify its players of the new development and provide fund withdrawals to any current players, together with clear guidelines on the procedure. They will also need to send a transaction report to the MGA and settle an outstanding fee of €50,000 ($52,708) within five days from the date of receipt of their letter.

The Initial Notice, Filed in August 2022

The initial Notice of Cancellation was issued by the MGA on August 4, 2022, and offered the company 20 days to “show cause” as to why the regulator should not enforce the measure that was highlighted in the respective Notice, according to reg. 10 (2) (a) of the Gaming Compliance and Enforcement Regulations (S.L. 583.06).

Following the issuance of the Notice, Arabmillionaire and its consultants informed the MGA of the “major restructuring exercise” it was undergoing while requesting, among other things, a freezing of its license with the intent to finish and settle all outstanding problems.

Pursuant to these submissions, and in spite of the several different breaches that constituted grounds for authorization cancellation, the MGA decided to suspend the Arabmillionaire’s license on October 12, 2022, as a means of offering the company the chance to rectify its standing with them.

The MGA, whose 2022 report reflected on a troubled year, also informed Arabmillionaire they would initiate the cancellation of its license in case it would not remedy its breaches and settle all outstanding payments to both the MGA and its registered players while providing “full assurance” that it is capable of holding the authorization and operating under its terms. 

Arabmillionaire, Given “Ample Time” to Address the Issues

Arabmillionaire chose not to appeal the MGA’s license suspension decision. In spite of being offered “ample time” to tackle the breaches, the company did not “rectify its position and cooperate” with the MGA. 

The authority also explained that all its attempts to communicate with the company following November 2022 “have been rendered futile” and that their breaches never stopped. 

The MGA stated that, in addition to the payment of the outstanding license fee mentioned in their Notice, Arabmillionaire’s license fee for the year 2023 fell due on June 13, 2023, during the operative period of the license suspension. 

Accordingly, the MGA considers Arabmillionaire owns an additional amount of €25,000 ($26,350), totaling €50,000 ($52,708) in annual license fees for license periods starting June 13, 2022 and June 13, 2023, respectively.

The MGA also reserves the right to take additional measures to recover the outstanding dues from the company provided they would fail to “rectify accordingly” and also in case they would not settle all outstanding claims from all registered players.

In June, the authority announced it would push for the implementation of fresh legislation that would protect the country’s online gaming companies from global prosecution. 

At the start of the year, the same regulator brought significant changes to its Player Protection Directive, asking licensees to monitor harm-related markers. 

The post Malta Gaming Authority Cancels Arabmillionaire Limited Licence appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The Philippine gaming regulator PAGCOR has cancelled the accreditation of offshore gaming customer relations service provider CGC Technologies after an investigation.

CGC, an accredited service provider operating under the offshore gaming licensee Oriental Game Ltd, had its accreditation revoked after an investigation revealed it engaged in criminal activities.

PAGCOR confirmed CGC was engaged in criminal activities and had breached certain conditions associated with its accreditation. The investigation revealed that CGC was operating six buildings within the Sun Valley Business Hub in Mabalacat, Pampanga, despite only two of them being accredited by PAGCOR.

Read more: Philippines online casinos

“The company was embroiled in various allegations, including credit card fraud, serious illegal detention, and human trafficking activities,” PAGCOR stated.

The cancellation of the accreditation comes within a week of issuing a stern warning to offshore gaming licensees and accredited service providers involved in illegal activities.

In addition to the cancellation order, CGC’s performance bond was also forfeited with immediate effect. Oriental Game Limited, the offshore gaming licensee, was also fined $350,000.00 for its failure to ensure the legitimate operation of CGC’s business.

Chairman and CEO of PAGCOR Alejandro Tengco warned the continued operation of the CGC after the cancellation of its accreditation was illegal and would not be condoned.

“Continued operations despite the cancellation of their accreditation or licences shall be considered illegal. Immediate action will be taken against those who are engaging in such behaviour,” Tengco said.

“PAGCOR strongly advocates responsible gaming to curb all forms of social ills linked to gaming.

“This is the reason why we continue to forge close partnerships with other government agencies.

“Through proper regulation and cooperation with our law enforcement agencies, we will continue to ensure that revenues from regulated gaming will be used for more worthy causes, especially nation-building.”

The post Philippines Gambling Regulator Cancels License After Breaches appeared first on Keno Wizard.