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MGA Get Tough On Non-Compliance, And We’re All For It!
By Shane Addinall Nov 18, 2019 IndustryThe Malta Gaming Authority shuts down two more operators as they continue to prove they are not willing to placate bad actors, beg for their fees or risk the security of their players. Step out of line and they will take decisive action!The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has really become a shining star in terms of creating and maintaining a safe and trusted online gambling ecosystem. They are known to protect players rights, demand service excellence from licence holders and can be trusted to crack down on both parties when they feel they’re gaming the system.
✓The Ban Hammer Strikes Twice More
In addition to several license holders who fell foul of the MGA earlier this year Sports Fantech Limited (MGA/B2C/387/2017) and Betixx Limited (MGA/B2C/247/2013) were ordered to cease and desist from all gambling operations on November 13th and 14th respectively.
In both cases, the operators were found to be in breach of various subsections of the Third Schedule to the Gaming Act (Chapter 583 of the Laws of Malta).
These infractions cover such topics as repeated failure to provide the required player and financial documentation required by the MGA as part of their licence agreement and not paying their license fees and gambling taxes (including those due for assignment to the protection of underage and compulsive gamblers).
✓Not Off The Hook
While Sports Fantech Limited and Betixx Limited may no longer accept deposits or allow new customers to register accounts, they still owe a debt of responsibility to their existing customers.
To this end, the MGA requires that the operators
“… retain and provide all registered players with access to their player accounts, and to refund all funds standing to the credit of players in line with the applicable law.”
The official posting of the cancellation of the licences does however include a clause that allows of the operators to appeal the decision “in terms of article 43 of the Gaming Act (Cap. 583)” however even a successful appeal would still hold them accountable for the unpaid fees, penalties and not give them rights to take new players or deposits until such time as the case is concluded.
✓For The Players & Operators
Unlike the actions taken recently by the UK Gambling Commission and Sweden’s Spelinspektionen the MGA is not facing backlash from the public. Primarily the reason for this is that the brands they’ve been shutting down are all bad actors.
These brands have avoided their dues, not paid players, dodged reporting on their revenues and several other similar key responsibilities that are central to their licence agreements.
Allowing them to continue to do business would reflect poorly on the power of the MGA, be a slap in the face of the operators who are compliant and put their players at risk. For this, we say, “Bravo MGA, Bravo!”
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