The first six months of 2020 reportedly saw the Malta Gaming Authority permanently cancel the licenses of seven iGaming operators as part of an apparent clampdown on those flouting its regulations.

According to a Monday report from Gambling Insider, the iGaming regulator revealed that the terminations concerning Global Gaming Entertainment, Dorobet, The Daily Fantasy Football Company, Watch World Luxury, Pick Mister, bSupporter and Bimbabet took place between January and June of last year following compliance audits and formal investigations. The source detailed that the six-month period had moreover seen the organization temporarily suspend the licenses of BetElephant and Stakers and issue eleven official warnings alongside nine administrative fines.

Pricey punishment:

The Malta Gaming Authority recently promoted its Chief Legal and Enforcement Officer, Carl Brincat, to serve as its new Chief Executive Officer and reportedly hit Blackrock Media with the heftiest of these financial penalties at €2.34 million ($2.84 million) after the Dutch firm was found guilty of having run an iGaming service without the necessary authorization.

Misleading marketing:

The Maltese regulator reportedly furthermore pronounced that all of this had been accompanied by actions against ten advertisements or promotions found to have been taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic as well as 833 criminal probity screening tests covering both land-based and online casino operators.

Seeking solidarity:

Finally, the Malta Gaming Authority reportedly asserted that it had received 40 international cooperation requests during the first six months of 2020 and sent out 25 such invitations of its own with its Player Support Unit having successfully processed 2,433 assistance applications, which represented a rise of 38% year-on-year.