The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has shut down its connection to a number of online casino platforms.
The island’s regulatory body released a statement that any reference to the MGA on the websites nobet177.com, slotvocalnocasheu.vip, joypang-0907.com and playxfortuna.com are “false and misleading”.
The IP address of nobet177 was unable to be found when iGaming Expert tried to access it.
The website of Slotvocalnocasheu claims the platform is licensed by both the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the MGA, however, a search of both regulators fails to find the platform.
iGaming Expert has reached out to the UKGC regarding the website.
Meanwhile, Joypang-0907 and Play Fortuna appear to be platforms focused on the Korean and Russian markets, respectively, both countries where online casino is currently prohibited.
Both websites state that the businesses are registered in Malta and claim to be licensed by the MGA. However, the licence numbers given cannot be found when searched against the regulator’s list of current licensees.
According to the MGA’s website, notices which include the authorisation numbers listed on the two websites confirm that the platform’s parent companies, Bayton Ltd (Play Fortuna) and SLTM Ltd (Joypang-0907), were previously licensed by the MGA but have since been surrendered.
Dynamic seals of authorisation released by the MGA do not include a date, meaning it is unclear how long the websites have been citing Malta as its licensing body without holding the required licence.
“The MGA would like to remind consumers not to utilise services provided by an entity unless they have ascertained that the entity in question is authorised to provide such services by the MGA,” warned the regulator in a statement.
“The gaming regulatory framework obliges authorised persons to comply with strict legal requirements in the interest of consumers. The activities of unlicensed entities are unregulated and do not provide the necessary safeguards delineated by virtue of the framework, making transactions with such entities risky for consumers.”
This is not the first time the MGA has been forced to release such a clarification.
Following an Insider Sport and iGaming Expert investigation in March, the MGA confirmed it had no connection with the Malaysia-based God55 brand following the announcement of the operator’s partnership with Birmingham City as the club’s Asian betting partner.
At the time of announcing its agreement with the Blues, God55 had claimed to have an MGA license and was described as “one of the biggest and most trusted brands in the online gaming industry”.
However, iGaming Expert found no evidence that God55 has a valid licence with the MGA, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA).
More recently, the MGA also denied its association with the online casino casinowinner.io.
