The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has been forced to once again deny any links to platforms falsely claiming to have an MGA license. The URLs in question link to mobile-optimised versions of the Pocket Soft Gaming titles Mahjong Ways and The Great Icescape.
When trying to access the listed webpages, the first website failed to load. However, the second loads the title Mahjong Ways, with the MGA and Pocket Games Soft logos appearing visible at the bottom of the screen.
The URLs appear to be targeted to the Indonesian market, where all forms of gambling are strictly prohibited.
Given Pocket Soft holds a type one gaming licence with the MGA, it is unclear if the titles are being promoted by the host of the URLs without the developer’s knowledge.
The MGA stated: “Any reference to the MGA and/or gaming licence/s said to be issued by the Maltese Authority, as stated by the above websites, is false and misleading.
“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. 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 that the MGA has been forced to release such a clarification.
In April, the MGA denied its association with the online casino casinowinner.io, again claiming that any mention of the regulatory body on the operator’s website is “false and misleading”.
The MGA was also forced to make a statement after an Insider Sport and iGaming Expert investigation revealed that the Malaysia-based God55 was claiming to have an MGA licence after partnering with Birmingham City.
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). All three of which were listed on the God55 platform at the time of the announcement. The MGA later confirmed that it had no connection with a series of URLs associated with God55.
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