Latest News
The MGA Publishes its 2019 Annual Report and Financial Statements

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA/Authority) is publishing its Annual Report and Financial Statements for the financial year ending 31 December 2019, providing an overview of the work performed throughout the year by the Authority. In addition, the report also includes a summary of the performance of the Maltese gaming industry during 2019 and an outlook for the medium-term future.
The following are the key highlights from the Annual Report covering the year 2019:
- The Authority cancelled 14 licences and suspended 11. In addition, it issued 20 warnings, 89 Notices of Breach and 23 administrative fines imposed on operators following various regulatory breaches;
- 89 applications for a gaming licence were received in 2019; 44 applications were either rejected or withdrawn and 53 licences were issued during the period under review, including licences the application for which had been received during the previous year;
- 15 individuals and companies were deemed not to be up to the Authority’s probity standards by the Fit & Proper Committee, mainly on the basis of mitigating the risks of money laundering or funding of terrorism;
- 48 audits were conducted by the Compliance and AML function;
- 69 international cooperation requests were sent by the MGA in 2019, predominantly as part of the criminal probity assessments, with the Authority receiving 58 international co-operation requests;
- 1,300 criminal probity screening assessments were carried out in 2019;
- The Authority revised its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit, and also signed an MOU with the Malta Police Force, aimed at strengthening the fight again corruption and money laundering;
- As at the end of December 2019, the number of companies licensed by the MGA, including both online and land-based entities, stood at 294.
In publishing this report, Heathcliff Farrugia, Chief Executive Officer of the Malta Gaming Authority, stated that: “Overall, 2019 was a very challenging but at the same time rewarding year for the MGA. The increased focus on compliance and enforcement which was prevalent throughout the year has yielded tangible results for the Authority.
This focus led to internal restructuring for the better achievement of the MGA’s objectives, and was also pivotal in the Authority’s drive towards the setting up of the Sports Integrity Unit, tasked with increasing the commitment towards the fight against the manipulation of sports competitions. In its first months, this unit has already signed important collaboration agreements with international sport bodies in order to tackle betting-related corruption and ensure the integrity of sports.
Such collaboration, both at a local and international level was high on the agenda in 2019, and will continue being crucial in 2020, as a key determining factor in the ongoing fight against crime, corruption and money laundering.”
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Austrian win2day launched Fennica Gaming’s eInstants that appeal to female and younger adults

Fennica Gaming’s renowned eInstants keep conquering new markets and are now available in Austria. Fennica Gaming is a subsidiary of Veikkaus, the Finnish national lottery. The Austrian win2day launched Fennica Gaming’s eInstants in their online store at the beginning of September. The eInstants, which have been designed for casual-gaming-like mobile gaming appeal to female and younger adult players in particular.
“We have managed to create games that appeal to female and younger players in many markets. Of course, we have years of experience of the Finnish market, where the share of women players has risen, being currently up to over two thirds of the total number of eInstant players. Also, in the markets where we are currently live, the trend seems to be the same: more and more young and female players are finding these games attractive,” says Joonas Tirkkonen, Portfolio Development Manager at Fennica Gaming.
“In fact, our whole cooperation with win2day has been, quite appropriately, powered by women. It all started with two Austrian ladies Vera Mayr, Head of Lottery & User Growth, and Antonia Zach, Manager Product Development eInstants from win2day.
“After we had started the first discussions with Fennica Gaming, we quickly realized that their eInstants are filling a gap in our portfolio and that they could be a success story in Austria. Because of the responsible nature of the eInstants, they would complement our wide offering of games and fit well with our high responsible gaming standards, explains Vera Mayr from win2day.
“Working together with the experts of Fennica Gaming on the game portfolio, as well as on the integration, was a pleasure, and we are really looking forward to the next few months, filling the casual-gaming-like spot in our eInstant portfolio, states Antonia Zach from win2day.
“win2day is really a forerunner in digitalization among the Lotteries. Therefore, it was easy to continue the discussions about the integration process. Our responsible eInstants offer more entertainment into play because of their casual-gaming-like mechanics and their duration. It has been a privilege to work with such professionals at win2day, says Fennica’s Kirsi Lagus, SVP Products and Portfolio from Fennica Gaming.”
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Hacksaw Gaming Strikes Content Agreement with NetBet Italy

Online casino game supplier Hacksaw Gaming is pleased to announce a content agreement with NetBet Italy.
The deal sees a selection of Hacksaw Gaming’s portfolio integrated with the operator. NetBet Italy players can now enjoy fan-favorite slot titles like Wanted Dead or a Wild, Hand of Anubis, Gladiator Legends, and Tosh Video Club, in addition to Dare2Win games Mines, Coins, and Boxes.
More games powered by the provider are expected to be rolled out in due course as both parties aim to build on the partnership.
NetBet Italy becomes Hacksaw Gaming’s eleventh casino partner in the Italian market with today’s news, after the studio received full regulatory approval earlier this year.
Marcus Cordes, Hacksaw Gaming CEO, said: “This significant announcement demonstrates our commitment to expanding our business across regulated markets, and in particular in Italy, which continues to grow at lightspeed.
“Furthermore, we’re constantly looking to team up with industry players of the highest pedigree. Netbet.IT is yet another household name that needs no introduction – an operator that shares our passion for excellence and delivering market-leading products and services.”
“We are thrilled to join forces with Hacksaw,” said Claudia Georgevici, NetBet Italy’s PR Manager. “Their commitment to excellence and their portfolio of exciting games perfectly aligns with our goal of providing our players with the best entertainment environment.”
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Playsense Appoints Patty Toledo as Chief Partnerships Officer

Playsense adds to its executive team with strategic international hire
Playsense, the premier creative agency for the global gaming industry, has appointed Patty Toledo as its new Chief Partnerships Officer. Patty brings a wealth of international experience, a diverse career background and a passion for the gaming industry that will undoubtedly propel Playsense to new heights.
In her new role, Toledo will be the architect of Playsense’s collaborative vision. This role blends the art of business development, the finesse of strategic partnerships and the heart of people management to craft a symphony of creativity. She will be responsible for forging imaginative connections, guiding the agency’s growth strategy and inspiring a team of diverse talents to push the boundaries of innovation, ensuring Playsense remains a beacon of artistic excellence in an ever-evolving creative landscape.
Toledo’s appointment reflects Playsense’s commitment to fostering top talent and innovation ensuring that Playsense remains at the forefront of creative marketing solutions for the gaming industry.
Playsense has solidified its reputation as an industry leader by collaborating with gaming giants such as Riot Games, Nacon, Wargaming and more. These partnerships have yielded remarkable results, setting a benchmark for innovation and creativity in the gaming marketing landscape. As it continues to push boundaries and explore new horizons, it is excited to announce that even more thrilling projects are currently in development. Playsense remains committed to delivering ground-breaking marketing campaigns that captivate audiences and leave an indelible mark on the gaming world.
Toledo first joined the Playsense family in February of 2023 following seven months of invaluable consultancy with the company. Originally hailing from Brazil and now based in Ireland, Toledo’s remarkable career has taken her across continents and industries, demonstrating her adaptability and global perspective.
With a career that began in the music industry, Toledo has had the privilege of connecting with acclaimed artists such as Iron Maiden, Metallica and Bon Jovi before transitioning her expertise into the broader entertainment sector where she has thrived for over 30 years. Her journey led her to discover her true calling in the gaming industry, where she has made an indelible mark.
Previously working in renowned companies including Yahaha Studios and Steel Media, her tireless dedication extends beyond her professional responsibilities as she actively supports and champions the gaming community. Toledo is an Ambassador for Women in Games and a thought leader in the industry, advocating for a more humane and inclusive environment.
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