Five Italian Gambling companies gave the slip, following a scrutiny devised by MGA

Five Italian gambling companies gave the slip, exiting Malta following an investigation devised by the Malta Gaming Authority on organised crime links. Last month, MGA initiated a scrutiny on every licensee connected to or owned by Italians in order to avoid links with organised crime. The probe resulted in the suspension of a licence, the cancellation of another and with regard to three other companies’ cases, to leave the country.

The Italian “anti-mafia” police apprehended several members of crime organisations as part of Palermo’s “Game Over” operation and triggered the MGA investigation in order to avoid having that kind of businesses in Malta.

Joseph Cuschieri, the Executive Chairman of the MGA said the authority was now open to collaborating with the Italian anti-mafia commission and any other law enforcement agency “to iron out any concerns or misunderstandings in order to keep gaming free from crime.”

The companies involved are: B2875 (Phoenix Limited), suspended and soon to be revoked due to its owner’s (Benedetto Bacchi) links to the “Game Over” operation; Leaderbet (LB Casino Ltd), cancelled after being named as part of the investigation; and operators Betent.com (Betent Group Ltd), Potterbet (Potter Mrc Ltd) and Giodani (Giodani Limited), which have voluntarily abandoned Malta.