113 suspects for running illegal gambling dens have been arrested recently by the Turkish authorities, as the country has highly regulated Gambling Laws. A further 709 people were also arrested who were allegedly involved in other crimes. 28,000 police officers police and military officers deployed for the search on over 20,000 locations such as coffee […]

113 suspects for running illegal gambling dens have been arrested recently by the Turkish authorities, as the country has highly regulated Gambling Laws.

A further 709 people were also arrested who were allegedly involved in other crimes. 28,000 police officers police and military officers deployed for the search on over 20,000 locations such as coffee houses, shops, and also offices of various organizations and associations.

Alongside the arrests, 77 workplaces which were being used as illegal casinos were shut down. Also, 325 gambling venues and their owners have been fined for allowing on their property.

The authorities have stated that more shutdowns will follow.

The British online gaming operator Bet365 Group Ltd has confirmed that it is to relocate its operations from Gibraltar to Malta, due to Brexit indecisiveness. A lot of companies are withdrawing their operations from the UK or British territories as Brexit has caused uncertainty for a huge amount of businesses. As a Bet365 spokesperson said […]

The British online gaming operator Bet365 Group Ltd has confirmed that it is to relocate its operations from Gibraltar to Malta, due to Brexit indecisiveness. A lot of companies are withdrawing their operations from the UK or British territories as Brexit has caused uncertainty for a huge amount of businesses.

As a Bet365 spokesperson said that the company continues to operate in a “highly uncertain environment, driven primarily by the continuing Brexit landscape”, and this had a major impact on its decision to expand in Malta. For years, Bet365 has operated with a dual regulatory and licensing strategy position between Malta and Gibraltar.

According to a statement Bet365 made, it said:
“As part of our strategic and contingency plans to ensure EU market access and to maintain and enhance operational efficiencies, we have been building our presence in Malta and operating a dual regulatory and licensing strategy between Gibraltar and Malta for a number of years.”
“However, from an operational and technical perspective and given our operating model, it has become increasingly challenging to efficiently run such multi-site operations and this has necessarily resulted in us conducting a review of our operations.”
“We also continue to operate in a highly uncertain environment, driven primarily by the continuing Brexit landscape. Therefore, to assist with business planning and in order to maintain operational effectiveness, we intend to enhance our Maltese operational hub and relocate certain functionality there.”
“We are now consulting with staff in relation to such relocation. It is intended to maintain a presence in Gibraltar and the final rationalisation will be determined after we have completed our staff consultation.”

As a result of Brexit, other operators such as William Hill and Paddy Power have also removed their operations from Gibraltar.

The Malta Gaming Authority participated in the annual conference of the Gaming Regulators European Forum (GREF), held in Limassol, Cyprus. The conference was exclusively attended by gaming regulators, primarily by GREF’s members. The main theme of the conference was ‘Exploring the boundaries between gambling and financial regulation’, and included topics relating to alternative payment methods, […]

The Malta Gaming Authority participated in the annual conference of the Gaming Regulators European Forum (GREF), held in Limassol, Cyprus. The conference was exclusively attended by gaming regulators, primarily by GREF’s members.

The main theme of the conference was ‘Exploring the boundaries between gambling and financial regulation’, and included topics relating to alternative payment methods, payment blocking measures, the parallels between gambling products, and gambling-like financial products, as well as virtual currencies.

The MGA’s Chief Legal Counsel, Carl Brincat, delivered a presentation during a session entitled ‘Virtual currencies and gambling regulation: the Maltese case’ relating to the MGA’s sandbox framework for the acceptance of Virtual Financial Assets and the use of the Distributed Ledger Technology within the gaming industry.

Carl Brincat was joined by Gerd Sapiano, Senior Analyst within the Securities and Market Supervision Unit within the Malta Financial Services Authority, as well as Nicholas Warren, a private financial services and blockchain consultant.

The Minister for Public Administration in Sweden, Ardalan Shekarabi, recently announced the formation of a commission that will decide whether a “total or partial ban on gambling advertising” should be implemented. If a blanket ban is implemented, then the former gambling monopolies of the state will only strengthen their dominance in the industry. Shekarabi also […]

The Minister for Public Administration in Sweden, Ardalan Shekarabi, recently announced the formation of a commission that will decide whether a “total or partial ban on gambling advertising” should be implemented. If a blanket ban is implemented, then the former gambling monopolies of the state will only strengthen their dominance in the industry.

Shekarabi also announced that the commission had been directed to deliver the verdict by October 1, 2020. The commission will consider a blanket ban on all gambling ads, as is the case with tobacco, along with specific conditions of certain gambling products which are seen as more dangerous for the public, such as online casino games. On top of this, the commission will decide on the limits on the sizes of bonuses that operators offer, as well as jackpots and free-plays. Shekarabi added that the duty of the commission includes determining whether to restrict all kinds of gambling advertisements during broadcasts of live sports, following in the footsteps of other markets.

The minister described the current gambling ad situation in the country as an “unsustainable” scenario because of many issues with “both content and scope.” This is not the first time that Shekarabi has taken steps to curb the nation’s gambling industry. For years, the minister has been calling for what he termed as “moderate advertising” for the gambling industry and has also repeatedly warned the new licensees to follow the rules and regulations.

Initially, Shekarabi directed the new online gambling licensees in Sweden to come up with an industry-approved advertising approach. He gave them till March 31 to submit their proposal. However, he ultimately decided that their proposal was not good enough to offer the desired level of consumer protection.

Good news for state-run gambling monopoly

Earlier in April, Svenska Spel, the former betting monopoly which is run by the state announced that it would stop the advertisement of its new online casino products. After Shekarabi’s announcement, the CEO of Svenska Spel, Patrik Hofbauer commented saying that the minister’s decision was a “step in the right direction.” He added that his company was setting an example for the rest of the industry.

Hofbauer’s company, Svenska Spel and another state-run company called AGT are dominating the newly regulated gambling market in Sweden. However, their competitors have complained that the two companies have unfairly marketed their offerings using their land-based customer databases.

According to the findings of a study conducted by White Bullet, a cybersecurity company which monitors IP infringement in real time, the gambling sector is dominating advertising on piracy websites.  The study revealed that as much as 43 percent of all ads found on such websites came from gambling brands in the first quarter of […]

According to the findings of a study conducted by White Bullet, a cybersecurity company which monitors IP infringement in real time, the gambling sector is dominating advertising on piracy websites.  The study revealed that as much as 43 percent of all ads found on such websites came from gambling brands in the first quarter of 2019.

Most of the ads appeared on websites which stream live-pay TV soccer games without having the required permission from the concerned authorities such as sports leagues and broadcasters.

While the EPL has been chasing after such illegal streaming websites, they still manage to resurface, even only temporarily on days when there is an important game. Until recently, these piracy sites were openly advertised on the “soccer streams” thread on Reddit, until the thread was shut down a few months ago after threats of legal repercussions. However, as mentioned before, they still manage to make a comeback on big game days.

GVC and Betclic Everest among top offenders

White Bullet called out a few well-known names in the gambling industry. Among these include GVC Holdings’ Bwin, as well as Bet-at-home Betclic Everest Group, who are both members of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA). This makes the revelation highly embarrassing for the two holding groups.

In 2018, EGBA signed a memorandum of understanding with the European Commission, where both parties promised to work on minimizing placement of ads on websites as well as mobile applications, which could be considered an infringement of copyright or which would encourage the dissemination of counterfeit goods.

The study also found that the worst offender was 1Xbet, a Russian betting website, whose ads on illegal streaming sites generated more than 35 million impressions only within the last six months.

Third parties in online advertising also at fault

Today, many businesses hand over their online advertising to third parties, who then can be held responsible for placing ads on such illegal streaming websites. This only indicates that companies should be more vigilant about where their advertisements end up. Otherwise, it can be extremely damaging for their brand, as seen in the case of GVC and Betclic Everest.

White Bullet added that since there are millions of digital advertising transactions that happen every single day, it can be challenging to find out who to hold responsible for the placement of such ads on piracy websites.

The assault took place at the Dorado Casino in Costa Rica’s capital, San José, on April 5. Nine armed and masked individuals attacked at around 3 a.m., threatening employees and casino patrons. By the time the ordeal was over just a few short minutes later, the thieves had gotten away with 8 million Costa Rican […]

The assault took place at the Dorado Casino in Costa Rica’s capital, San José, on April 5. Nine armed and masked individuals attacked at around 3 a.m., threatening employees and casino patrons. By the time the ordeal was over just a few short minutes later, the thieves had gotten away with 8 million Costa Rican colones (about $13,000) and $11,500.

Security guard Edgar Martin Castro Naranjo was outside when the attack first began to unfold. He allegedly was making his normal rounds on a bicycle when he noticed suspicious activity in the casino. When the 52-year-old tried to step in, armed with non-lethal weapons, he took three or four bullets to the torso from someone watching the door and died before emergency personnel could arrive.

According to Marco Carrion, the chief of the homicide division of Costa Rica’s police force, the attack was well planned and executed. He added that it was most likely carried out by an organized group of criminals, adding that they arrived in two vehicles and had every detail methodically orchestrated. Police were only able to learn that the vehicles were “silver” and “blue.”

He added, “We know that there were more than six and, having participated so many, we’re talking about a group with a certain grade of organization. Evidently, because of the type of location and the type of attack, given the presence of security personnel, [the assailants] had to have an organized distribution of responsibilities.”

The Costa Rican police force has been conducting an investigation since the assault, but has yet to uncover any substantial leads. Cameras in the immediate vicinity of the casino didn’t capture any activity, but other cameras along the various routes to and from the venue have reportedly been able to provide a little more detail.

An Italian man known in the local iGaming sector was arrested in Malta on Sunday on the strength of a European Arrest Warrant.  The 42-year-old, who lives in Swieqi, was arrested in a joint police operation, code-named “OP RICH”, involving officers from the Intelligence and Counter Terrorism units. In a statement, the police said that […]

An Italian man known in the local iGaming sector was arrested in Malta on Sunday on the strength of a European Arrest Warrant. 

The 42-year-old, who lives in Swieqi, was arrested in a joint police operation, code-named “OP RICH”, involving officers from the Intelligence and Counter Terrorism units.

In a statement, the police said that the unnamed man was “well known within iGaming circles in Malta”. He is expected to be arraigned in court in the coming days, starting the process for his extradition.

The Italian authorities requested the arrest of the man based on his associations with certain organisations and on his involvement in the management and collection of illegal bribes and other illegally-obtained money for mafia organiations.

Six people to date have been arrested in Malta in 2019 through European Arrest Warrants.

The gambling regulatory body in Denmark, Spillemyndigheden, has warned its online licensees, telling them to be honest with customers about their “free” bonus offers. The regulatory agency issued a statement recently, warning licensed online gambling operators and citing the statement of the Danish Consumer Ombudsman’s February 2016. According to the statement, the word “free” cannot […]

The gambling regulatory body in Denmark, Spillemyndigheden, has warned its online licensees, telling them to be honest with customers about their “free” bonus offers. The regulatory agency issued a statement recently, warning licensed online gambling operators and citing the statement of the Danish Consumer Ombudsman’s February 2016.

According to the statement, the word “free” cannot be used in any bonus offer-related marketing material if the offer involves a requirement for a turnover. The statement also talks about the use of phrases such as “free spins,” “free bet,” and “free of charge” if the offer involves a requirement for a turnover. Operators are only allowed to use these phrases if the proposal does not involve a need for turnover and the chance of winning is not reduced.

The regulatory body also noted that licensed online gambling operators are required to “clearly state all terms and conditions connected to a bonus offer directly alongside the offer” as per section 20(1)(1) of the Executive Order on Online Casino, as well as section 19(1)(1) of the Executive Order on Betting.

The new warning comes just about a year after many Danish politicians put pressure on the government to introduce new and stricter limits on gambling promotions. The Social Democrat Party even plans to impose a new cap on the value of such gambling offers, which will stand at DKK1k or $151. This is about 10 percent of what several operators had been pitching to their potential customers.

For the last 14 years, Malta has been a top center for online gaming and its gaming license is considered a gold standard in the global gambling industry.

Updated on 29 July, 2021

A flourishing hub not just for iGaming, but for industries such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI) and financial services, it also enjoys one of the strongest economies in Europe.

For the last 14 years, it has been a top center for online gaming and its gaming license is considered a gold standard in the global industry.

But what makes both Malta and its license so special, and why should you consider applying for a Malta gaming license?

Malta’s iGaming license

There are a number of reasons why acquiring a Maltese online gaming license is a benefit. Firstly, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is one of the most respected in the world, and holding a license from it is seen globally as a vote of confidence. In addition, the licensing application procedure is fast, yet offers a stable legal and regulatory framework for operators, service providers and online players.

Holders of a Maltese license can benefit from onshore status in Europe, which means Malta-registered operators can advertise across the EU. The MGA also employs strict anti-money-laundering laws and is in full compliance with EU legislation, meaning you will be as well.
Recent regulatory changes

In 2018, the Maltese government introduced a number of changes to the Gaming Act. These changes sought to both simplify the process of licensing in the country and ensure better protection for clients, operators and service providers.

The licensing procedure was significantly simplified, now providing for just two types of licenses — B2B and B2C. The B2C license will still be categorized in terms of the type of game provided, but it will eliminate the need for a new license per class of game. Under the new laws, a B2C licensee can just add on different game types without going through the full licensing procedure every time.
Other changes include an extended validity period for licenses from five to 10 years and a different fee structure, including the introduction of a cap on the variable license fee.

Why Malta?

There are a number of other reasons Malta should be a jurisdiction of choice for your iGaming business.

Apart from low gaming license fees and taxes, the corporate income rate for businesses can be as low as an effective 5% rate subject to meeting certain criteria and depending on individual circumstances. In terms of revenue derived from licensable gaming services, the rate is set at 5% of the Gross Gaming Revenue. Gaming operators are only required to pay tax in Malta on revenue from Maltese customers.

Aside from this, Malta enjoys a stable economy and political situation and a workforce with years of experience in the online gaming sector.

Get Started with a Data Center Services Provider in Malta

Before you start researching for data center in Malta, you may want to have a checklist so you can ensure your igaming platform is hosted securely, reliably and affordably.

Here are a few things you need to check before making your decision:

• 24/7 Technical Support – Unlike other industries like the Forex, an igaming business operates 24/7 with even more activity during the weekends than week days. It is vital that your hosting provider will be able to support you around-the-clock.
• Compliant Data Center – Since you will be obtaining a license from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), your servers and overall infrastructure will be audited by the Regulator. Make sure your chosen hosting provider meets all the requirements set by the MGA. Moreover, finding a Data Center which is ISO27001 and PCI-DSS Complaint is ideal, since you will know you are dealing with a serious provider.
• iGaming Expertise – Whilst there are many hosting providers out there, you want to make sure you get into a contract with a company that has in-depth knowledge when it comes to supporting and hosting online gambling platforms.

NetShop ISP is a multi-award winning Data Center Service Provider in Malta with more than 10 years of expertise in the iGaming industry. From Virtual Cloud, to Bare-metal Dedicated Servers and Colocation, you can rely your igaming business to be hosted in our Malta Datacenters for either your whole infrastructure, disaster recovery or just Database replication.

Learn more about our iGaming Hosting Solutions or contact our Customer Services team to discuss your project & bespoke requirements.

Blockstack, the New York-based blockchain software provider launched in 2017 to create the infrastructure for a decentralized internet, has announced it intends to raise $50 million in a token sale that would leverage the SEC’s Regulation A+ crowdfunding exemption. According to a preliminary circular offering statement submitted on Apr. 11th to the Securities and Exchange […]

Blockstack, the New York-based blockchain software provider launched in 2017 to create the infrastructure for a decentralized internet, has announced it intends to raise $50 million in a token sale that would leverage the SEC’s Regulation A+ crowdfunding exemption.

According to a preliminary circular offering statement submitted on Apr. 11th to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Blockstack LLC, a US-based blockchain software provider, has named a representative of Harvard Management as a member of the token advisory board.

According to Morgan Creek Digital’s Anthony Pompliano and the token sale filing submitted by Blockstack to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Harvard University’s endowment invested in Blockstack’s crypto token sale.

Pompliano tweeted:

BREAKING: Harvard’s endowment invested $5M – $10M directly into Blockstack’s token sale.

This means that one of the leading university endowments is comfortable holding tokens directly.

THE VIRUS IS SPREADING

— Pomp (@APompliano) April 11, 2019

 

 

The Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat said that Malta’s present sustained economic growth did not happen by chance. Muscat was addressing the London Technology Club and the Investment Executive Panel on Wednesday. Muscat said that Malta’s economic growth has turned around the country’s finances, moving from a structural deficit to a fiscal surplus for […]

The Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat said that Malta’s present sustained economic growth did not happen by chance. Muscat was addressing the London Technology Club and the Investment Executive Panel on Wednesday.

Muscat said that Malta’s economic growth has turned around the country’s finances, moving from a structural deficit to a fiscal surplus for three years in a row. He also mentioned how traditional businesses such as that of manufacturing and tourism have grown and expanded.

Moreover, Muscat also discussed how Malta has opened up and diversified to new niches, ranging from Fintech, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence to aviation and medical cannabis.

On the other hand, new challenges have also emerged in terms of money laundering and financial crimes, said Muscat. Currently there are new regulations being implemented to battle this, by institutions such as the Malta Financial Services Authority and the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit.

Together with the Prime Minister, there were also present Chief of staff Keith Schembri, Head Government Communications Kurt Farrugia, Malta Enterprise CEO Mario Galea, Joseph Zammit Tabona, and the Prime Minister’s financial adviser Prof. Joseph Bannister.

At a time when some countries continue to take a conservative approach towards blockchain technology and the opportunities that lie therein, two nations are building a castle. On Monday, April 8, Malta and Singapore, both nations vying the lead the global blockchain economy signed an MOU to promote digital innovation, especially blockchain technology. The deal was signed […]

At a time when some countries continue to take a conservative approach towards blockchain technology and the opportunities that lie therein, two nations are building a castle.

On Monday, April 8, Malta and Singapore, both nations vying the lead the global blockchain economy signed an MOU to promote digital innovation, especially blockchain technology.

The deal was signed by Silvio Schembri, Malta’s Junior Minister for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation, and Dr. Janil Puthucheary, Singapore’s Minister of State at the Singapore-Malta Business Forum.

The meeting also reportedly featured a discussion on the commercial opportunities available in both nations and how they could tap into emerging technologies to get the best results.

In a tweet preceding the signing of the MOU, Malta’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, Carmelo Abela noted,

“The island-States of Malta & Singapore may be geographically distant, but we’re united by our similarities, including that of being strategic gateways to our respective regions. There is ample scope for further cooperation.”

Only time will tell what landmark developments the newly signed MOU will bring to the ever-growing blockchain ecosystem.

Meanwhile, it also marks a significant step for both island nations with a combined population of roughly 6 million people aiming to lead an industry that is sparking reforms across many sectors globally.

Malta, the least populated of the duo is already labeled the Blockchain Island, while Singapore has also made some inroads with the adoption of the technology.