One of the leading developers of localized slot games in the world, MGA Games, partnered with Lottomatica to strengthen its position in the Italian market. Lottomatica is one of the biggest operators in Italy, so it’s not surprising that this renowned provider of thrilling slot games decided to partner with that company in order to extend its reach across this key European market.

Rapidly growing companies

MGA Games is based in Spain, but the company rapidly expanded across various key markets in the world, thanks to partnerships with the biggest industry names. Its vast network of partners includes companies such as LeoVegas, bet365, Playtech, Softswiss, Atomo Gaming, and many more of them.

On the other hand, Lottomatica is one of the biggest industry names not only in Italy but also in the whole European market. Its services include a range of sports betting options, as well as online gambling and recreational gambling machines. The company has an advanced specialized gaming distribution network in the country, with 3.100 betting posts and over 1.400 gambling halls where the players can place their bets in person.

The Italian players are now able to enjoy a range of thrilling MGA Games’ releases, including its most popular games such as Lo Stregone Megaways, Samantha Fox, Conquest of Vichinghi, Onda Fortunata, and many more. However, this is only the beginning. In the upcoming months, MGA plans to incorporate more titles in the offering, including new Megaways titles and slots with five reels. One of the main things that make MGA Games stand out from other providers in the market is the fantastic animation the company’s games have, as well as advanced graphics, combined with unique and modern mobile technology.

Mutually beneficial partnership

This partnership is beneficial for both companies. Not only will MGA Games expand to the Italian market and extend its reach so that Italian players can enjoy a range of thrilling quality games, but Lottomatica will strengthen its position in the Italian market as well as the whole of Europe. This partnership will speed up the growth of both parties across this important market.

Javier Lanfranchi, Director of Sales at MGA Games, said: “We are confident that our localized slot games will impress Lottomatica players and make them feel the true emotion of the game. We share a passion for entertainment, and we reflect it by offering top-notch content, of great value to operators.”

Source: Tolan, Peter, “MGA Games joins forces with Lottomatica consolidating its presence in Italy”. European Gaming. February 4. 2024.

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The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) confirmed that it has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC). As a result, the two authorities will continue working together into 2024 and beyond, supporting one another when needed.

The MoU aligns the MGA and AGCC’s common values and allows them to perform their tasks more effectively. By working together, the two regulatory bodies can bolster their crime prevention efforts, improve consumer protection and shield vulnerable demographics from gambling addiction.

Both parties recognize the benefits of collaboration, echoing the UKGC’s earlier calls for international cooperation between regulatory bodies. Cross-border partnerships between regulators are one of the hot topics of the industry today and reflect the need for joint action in tackling addiction, illegal gambling and gambling-related crime.

For reference, the AGCC is the regulatory body of Alderney and was established in 2000. Alderney is one of the Bailiwick of Guernsey’s three jurisdictions and is a British Crown dependency serving as an offshore licensing jurisdiction.

While still significantly smaller than Malta and Curacao, Alderney is ambitious to grow its overall presence in gaming.

The MGA and AGCC Value Their Partnership

The original MoU between the MGA and the AGCC was signed in 2013. Commenting on its renewal, MGA’s chief executive officer, Carl Brincat, said:

The renewal of the MoU with the AGCC continues to reaffirm our shared commitment towards supervising a safe and responsible gaming ecosystem across the board.

Carl Brincat, CEO, MGA

Andrew Gellatly, the AGCC’s executive director, also commented on the matter, saying that his team is excited by the opportunity to continue working with the MGA. He believes that the MoU benefits both the regulators and the industry as a whole.

With this MOU, we look forward to continuing and strengthening our valued collaboration with the MGA, to the benefit of both players and stakeholders.

Andrew Gellatly, executive director, AGCC

Speaking of Gellatly, the executive director just confirmed that Alderney’s money laundering and terrorism financing risk profile has been raised. He justified the increase with the European Commission’s most recent concerns.

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The Malta Gaming Authority has unveiled a new major leadership appointment. As reported by the regulator, its Board of Governors has chosen Charles Mizzi to succeed Carl Brincat as chief executive officer.

Brincat’s departure from the MGA was announced in October when the outgoing CEO said that the decision to leave didn’t come easy.

According to MGA’s announcement, Mizzi will step into the office on January 26, 2024. The appointment comes as a result of the public call issued on October 30, 2023 and the following selection process.

Before joining the MGA, Mizzi served as the head of the Residency Malta Agency for five years. He played an important role in the organization’s ambition to solidify Malta’s reputation as one of the most reputable and desirable residencies by investment jurisdictions.

According to the MGA, Mizzi is a “dynamic and results-driven professional” who boasts extensive experience in operations management. These qualities, the MGA Board of Governors believes, make him a perfect fit for the authority. The MGA is convinced that Mizzi will build on the solid foundations laid by his predecessor and the rest of the team.

Speaking of Mizzi’s predecessor, before officially assuming responsibility as head of the MGA, the new CEO will spend several years shadowing Brincat. This step of the process will ensure a smooth transition at the helm of the authority, the MGA explained.

Mizzi Hopes to Build on MGA’s Successes

Mizzi commented on his new position, saying that he feels “honored” to have been given the opportunity to lead the MGA. He promised to work hard alongside the rest of the MGA team to build on past successes.

I am keen to build on past successes and, together with the team under the guidance of the Minister responsible and the Board of Governors, to strategically steer the Authority forward so that Malta’s already robust position in the field may be further strengthened, while delivering value to all stakeholders.

Charles Mizzi, to-be CEO, MGA

Malta’s Minister for the Economy, EU Funds and Lands, Silvio Schembri, thanked Brincat for his exceptional service as CEO of the MGA. Schembri also welcomed Mizzi as the next head of the MGA, praising his vast operational experience and contributions toward major projects.

Schembri concluded that “Charles Mizzi is undoubtedly the right candidate to continue building on what the MGA has achieved so far.”

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MGA Games, the well-known developer of localized slots for global online casino operators, has announced the signing of a strategic partnership with Onecasino.es, a deal which will allow the supplier to integrate its productions into the online casino’s lobby.

In the statement announcing the partnership, MGA Games declared that the respective agreement “strengthens its lead in the Spanish online gaming market” and that it allows both companies to consolidate their position in the iGaming industry as a whole.

Following this agreement players that enter the Onecasino.es lobby will gain access to a wide range of already popular slots provided by MGA Games, including Spanish Celebrities, Chiquito and Chiquito 2 Condemor al rescate, La Mina de Oro, Gnomos Mix, Pasapalabra, Popeye, 777 Caliente, La Taberna and El Habanero.

MGA Games focuses on developing and publishing localized slot games, video bingo products and table games and its current portfolio has over 100 different titles, all developed using HTML5 technology and featuring spectacular graphics quality and animations.

The supplier has received recognition for its work at the eGaming awards as the best Technology/Platform provider both in 2018 and in 2022 and also as the best Product and Best Initiative for the Promotion of Gaming Activity. MGA Games currently has partnerships with several big names in the online gaming industry, including Casumo, 888casino, Interwetten, Videoslots or Betsson.

The Right Formula

Speaking about the partnership with One Casino, Javier Lanfranchi, Head of Sales at MGA Games, declared himself confident that the online casino’s players “will love” the supplier’s games. “We have the right formula to build customer loyalty and increase their presence in Spain: the perfect combination of innovation, quality and service,” Javier Lanfranchi added.

The two companies have also agreed to collaborate in other markets as One Casino has already launched slot games from MGA Games on its online casino platform in the Netherlands.

The Dutch market is a very important one for MGA Games, a growing market where there is a lot of competition both among online casino operators and also among suppliers. Javier Lanfranchi revealed that the supplier has a 15 percent market share in Spain and 99 percent penetration, and added that MGA Games is trying to position itself “as a global supplier of reference.”

Source: “MGA Games continues to lead the Spanish market with new launch at Onecasino.es“. EuropeanGaming. December 6, 2023.

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In line with the industrial trends for an active engagement in addressing the current social and environmental issues, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has introduced the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Code of Good Practice for the remote gaming sector.

Self-Regulation Instrument

The ESG Code represents an instrument to help remote gaming companies opt for the best social and environmental practices through a self-regulation process. Albeit voluntary, the ESG process is highly recommended for the sector as the proposed adoption of the ESG practices will demonstrate the commitment of MGA licensees to sustainable operations across all the remote gaming sector stakeholders.

During the press conference, MGA CEO Carl Brincat reportedly said:“The MGA has always strived to be at the forefront of regulatory innovation and progress. We have been working not only to supervise the gaming industry, but also to nurture it, to foster a space where operators can thrive, while ensuring that the welfare of society remains paramount. Our ESG Code represents our commitment to this.”

Minister for the Economy, EU Funds and Lands Silvio Schembri reportedly commented: “All businesses should embrace tools to reduce risk and transform successfully, and when it comes to remote gaming, one of the tools is using ESG metrics.’’

Minister added: “The ESG code will serve as an instrument for self-regulation, helping remote gaming companies align with best practices and maintain a position that allows them to effectively meet the evolving expectations of key stakeholders in the sector.”

ESG Code Features

The ESG Code production has been carried out in several stages including the peer review and research stage, stakeholder interviews, and consultation with licensees to ensure that the ESG Code comprehensively addresses social and environmental concerns of the industry stakeholders.

The Code includes three categories, Environmental, Social and Governance, to identify a total of 19 ESG topics and provide the effective guideline for remote gaming companies to secure effective reporting practice.

The MGA will classify these reports into Tier 1 and Tier 2 reports depending on the extent of reporting exercised by the companies. For this purpose, the ESG Code offers a flexible approach for companies to meet the basic standard requirements and choose optional disclosures of their respective social and environmental practices.

No specific targets have been set by the ESG reporting but rather focused on the reporting process itself. The companies submitting reports under this code will be awarded the MGA ESG Code Approval Seal acknowledging that companies demonstrate the commitment to ESG. The seal will differentiate Tier 1 and Tier 2 reports.

ESG Reporting Process

The Code will be submitted on a voluntary basis and will be separated from other ESG disclosures to the regulatory bodies. Submissions will be confidential and available via an MGA online platform. The ESG reporting schedule will follow the financial year reporting and is expected to launch in 2023, with the deadline for submission set for the third quarter of 2024.

Source: “MGA Publishes Voluntary ESG Code of Good Practice”. European Gaming. November 13, 2023.

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The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) issued a notice of license cancellation to AMGO iGaming Malta. According to the regulator, the gaming company has breached three major breaches leading to the notice.

First of all, AMGO iGaming failed to pay the total annual license fee covering the period between November 22, 2022, and November 22, 2023. According to the Maltese regulator, the company still owes €13,915.12 (approximately $14,700), thus violating Regulation 3 (1) (b) of the Gaming License Fee Regulations.

In addition, the licensee violated Regulation 3 (1) (a) and Regulation 6 of the Gaming License Fees regulations by failing to pay the applicable compliance contribution fees to the MGA.

Finally, the MGA noted that it has reason to believe that AMGO iGaming has also failed to meet commitments to players in a timely manner. If not, the Maltese regulator believes that a failure relating to Article 38 of the Player Protection Directive is imminent.

AMGO iGaming Has 20 Days to Respond

The MGA added that AMGO iGaming now has 20 days to explain its violations in writing and explain why its license should not be canceled by the MGA.

In the meantime, the MGA asked the offending gambling operator to settle all outstanding dues. The Maltese authority noted that the operator will be charged the applicable interest rate emanating from the Income Tax Rules in accordance with the delay.

The MGA reasserted that the gambling operator’s license is to be canceled if it fails to contact the regulator in a timely manner. The MGa said that it reserves the right to take any other measures in relation to the outstanding fees if needed.

Other MGA News

The notice comes just after the MGA canceled the license of Arabmillionaire Limited, which committed similar offenses. The company, however, failed to properly respond to the MGA’s initial notice, forcing the regulator to issue an official cancelation of authorization number.

In other MGA-related news, CEO Carl Brincat just announced his departure from the regulator. Brincat is set to leave on January 25. The MGA is currently looking for a suitable successor who will first spend several weeks shadowing Brincat before stepping into the office on January 26.

Brincat admitted that the decision to leave the MGA was a difficult one. He said that he has truly enjoyed his time with the Maltese regulator and that he will continue to follow the Maltese gaming sector with interest.

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The Board of Directors of the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) issued a statement to notify the general public that Carl Brincat, its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), will not be looking for a continuation of his existing contract, which will become invalid on January 25 next year.

Appreciation

The Board has expressed its gratitude to Dr Brincat, particularly for his outstanding leadership skills throughout his time as CEO. In this regard, Dr Ryan C. Pace, the chairman, said according to the official press release: “Carl has made extensive contributions to the Malta Gaming Authority and to the gaming industry in Malta and we are confident in, and very thankful for, the strong foundation he leaves behind as we continue to pursue the MGA’s strategic goals.” Additionally, Dr. Brincat said: “Leaving the MGA is a very hard decision to make. The past 9 years have been a rollercoaster of experiences which contributed to the person I am today, and it has been a privilege to lead the Authority for the past 3 years. Looking back, I am proud of the work that we have done together, and of the highly motivated team that surrounds me at the Authority. I look forward to continuing to deliver our commitments over my final few months, and have no doubt that my successor will find that the fantastic team at the MGA can help him or her continue to drive improvement further. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for the Authority.”

In terms of the individual who will succeed to the role of CEO and the responsibilities that come with it, the Board has a senior leadership succession plan planned specifically for this. On that note, it will officially send out a public call for applications for the aforementioned job. In addition, this entire planned process is intended to make sure an easy transition from Dr Brincat to the next CEO. However, the selected successor is expected to spend few weeks following Dr Brincat before officially starting his role on January, 26 next year.

Moreover, MGA stays devoted to reinforcing this essential sector in Malta and opening up the latest opportunities for excellence and innovation.

Sigma Europe’s Malta Week

From November 13 to November 17, Sigma Europe’s Malta Week 2023 festival will officially begin. During this festival, various global leaders will gather together for conference, convergence of expo and good old-fashioned networking. Additionally, the said festival will take place in the Mediterranean Maritime Hub (MMH), a bigger, more active location that is known for its industrial, raw and unconventional space compared to other venues.

Source: “Carl Brincat to hand over the reigns at the MGA”, Sigma World News, October 27, 2023

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The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) announced that Carl Brincat, its current chief executive officer, will be departing from the regulatory body. In the meantime, the MGA will issue a public call to determine his successor.

According to the MGA, Brincat will not be seeking renewal of his current contract, which is set to expire on January 25, 2024. His yet-to-be-appointed successor is therefore set to step into the office on January 26, 2024.

As mentioned, the leadership succession plan will see the MGA issue a public call for applications. The MGA hopes to ensure a seamless transition of responsibilities from Brincat to his successor.

The MGA also added that prior to stepping into the office, the new CEO will spend several weeks shadowing Brincat.

Brincat: Leaving the MGA Was a “Very Hard Decision to Make”

In the meantime, the Maltese regulator’s board of directors thanked Brincat for his exceptional leadership and contributions. Ryan C. Pace, chairperson of the MGA, lauded Brincat as someone who has contributed a lot to the MGA and the Maltese gaming industry as a whole. Pace said that the MGA team is very thankful for the strong foundation left by Brincat, saying that they will allow the regulator to pursue its strategic goals.

Brincat also commented on his departure, saying that the decision to leave didn’t come easy.

Leaving the MGA is a very hard decision to make. The past 9 years have been a rollercoaster of experiences which contributed to the person I am today, and it has been a privilege to lead the Authority for the past 3 years.

Carl Brincat, outgoing CEO, MGA

Brincat added that he is very proud of the work that he and his team have done together. He praised the people he worked with for their passion and said that he is looking forward to working with them for a few more months.

Brincat also said that he is certain his successor will find the MGA team just as fantastic and will work with the rest of the MGA to drive further improvements. The outgoing CEO concluded that he will continue to follow the future of the MGA with interest.

On a final note, the MGA expressed its commitment to serving the Maltese gaming sector and “unlocking new opportunities for innovation and excellence.

In other news, the MGA just revoked the license of Arabmillionaire Limited.

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A renowned, globally recognized online gaming company, Casumo, is even stronger in the Spanish market through its partnership with MGA Games.

Strengthening position in Spain

Casumo, which is already present in almost all key markets in the world, including the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Ontario, decided to integrate the premium content created by MGA Games into its already impressive offering.

Through this significant partnership, the Spanish players will be able to enjoy 18 new games developed by the domestic Spanish MGA Games. Among the games that will be included in the offering will be Mina de Oro Plus, Gnomos Mix, Mireia Lalaguna Reina del Hielo, Popeye Cazatesoros, Chiquito 2 Condemor al Rescate, Cañita Brava, La Taberna, Aurah Ruiz Diosa Jade, Mask Singer, Lejano Oeste, Gemma Mengual Capitana Nemo, RF El Habanero, La Voz, Tesoro Pirata Plus, 777 Caliente Megaways, Makoke Caza-Espíritus, and Samantha Fox Arcade and Sofía Cristo Misterio en el Circo. This isn’t all – in the next few months, the list of games will be greatly expanded, so various surprises to the players are yet to come.

The slot releases produced by MGA Games are very popular in Spain. They are widely known for their advanced, innovative, and carefully crafted slots, additionally enriched with fantastic, thrilling gameplay. MGA’s main mission is to maintain its games on the highest levels, making them satisfactory to players and highly profitable for partners and operators alike.

Mutually beneficial partnership

Both companies are beyond satisfied with this partnership, highlighting its importance for both Spanish players and the companies. Javier Lanfranchi, a Sales Director of MGA GAMES, commented on this: “This partnership allows us to reaffirm our position as a leading content provider in Spain and is an opportunity to take advantage of the synergies with Casumo for our expansion into other markets, which brings us even closer to our international objectives.”

On the other hand, Mark Busuttil, Chief Product Officer at Casumo, knows how important this partnership is for Casumo, as well as the impact his company can have on the whole Spanish market. He stated: “At Casumo, we are thrilled to announce our collaboration with MGA Games. This alliance demonstrates our commitment to providing an exceptional gaming experience for our players in Spain. At Casumo, we are committed to innovation in online entertainment. By joining forces with MGA Games, we are confident that our players will enjoy a more diverse and entertaining experience.”

However, the ones who will benefit the most from this collaboration are the players – with a range of new games to enjoy, the gaming experience will be taken to the completely next level.

Source: Miller, George. “Casumo.es grows in Spain with premium productions from MGA Games”, September 6, 2023.

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The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), Malta’s gaming regulatory body, has resolutely protected the much-discussed legislation, Bill 55, which Maltese president George Vella signed into law in June this year, after it received criticism that “the amendment is not compatible with European law.”

The legislation isn’t against European law

In its defense arguments, the MGA stated that “Bill 55, also known as Article 56A of Malta’s Gaming Act, does not go against European law, but protects Malta-licensed operators from legal liability resulting from their gambling activities, when the activity is covered under their MGA license.” 

However, the MGA’s statement comes after the Gemeinsamen Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), Germany’s gambling regulatory body, noted that the bill, now law, goes against the Recast Brussels Regulation, a 2013 European law governing jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of legal judgement between EU member states. To show that this isn’t the case, the MGA emphasized a section in a 2013 European law which states that “a member state may refuse to recognize a legal judgement if does not match with the principles of its legal system.” Furthermore, the Malta Gaming Authority added that “the lawmakers’ intention when writing the law was not to build any new exceptions to the regulation, but it was to enshrine into law the long-standing public policy of Malta in relation to the gaming sector.”

Additionally, to show that it backs up the law, it also said: “The scope of Bill 55 is highly restrictive. The law does not stop every legal action taken against a Malta-licensed gambling operator, highlighting the law sets out specific conditions for it to do so.” However, it emphasized that “an operator could only be protected from a suit when its gambling activities are legal according to the country’s Gaming Act and the lawsuit would need to conflict with or undermine the legality of the Malta gaming framework for Bill 55 to take effect.”

Litigation about the legality of Malta’s gaming laws

Speaking about the legality of its gambling laws, the MGA also claimed that “its gambling laws are covered under the rules governing the European free-movement of services.” In this regard, it said: “The Maltese gaming framework, in turn, is in full conformity with EU law and is based on the freedoms afforded to an entity established within the internal market.”

But, when talking about this particular issue, European governments and regulators highlighted “the 2017 Commission decision to close infringement procedures and complaints in the gambling sector.” According to them, this decision means that “gambling services cannot be considered a service that can be broadcast European-wide under an MGA license.”

The European Commission to scrutinize Bill 55

The aforementioned Bill 55 has already received criticism from few parties for breaching European law. Therefore, in July of this year, the European Commission revealed that it would scrutinize the said bill in order to make sure that there were no breaches of EU law, which is why it requested additional information from the Maltese authorities.

However, as soon as the mentioned check is completed, there is a chance that the case will come before the European Court of Justice, because it has always been the ultimate decision-maker in litigations between domestic and European law.

Source: “MGA defends controversial Bill 55 after criticism”, iGaming Business IGB, August 25, 2023

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