The Malta Gaming Authority has issued a new public warning after identifying two online gambling sites that are falsely claiming to be licensed under the Maltese regulatory framework. The regulator confirmed that lavbet321.com and kasinoseta.com have no connection to the Authority and that any references suggesting an affiliation are inaccurate and misleading.
The notice reflects a growing concern over unlicensed operators attempting to mask their activities by referencing well-known regulators. According to the MGA, these practices pose growing risks for players in Malta and the wider European markets, where illegal operators continue to move across borders with minimal oversight.
Unregulated sites expose players to major risks
Misleading license claims are not new, but the regulator has observed more sites attempting to imitate Maltese certification to attract players to their platforms. The MGA warned that unregulated platforms operate outside all consumer protection rules that govern licensed operators. This includes the absence of formal dispute channels, no financial safeguards, and no accountability for withdrawals or game fairness.
The Authority reminded players that all legitimate operators must comply with Malta’s legal requirements, including anti-money laundering safeguards, technical audits, responsible gambling protections, and third-party monitoring. Sites operating without authorization are not subject to these obligations, leaving players exposed to potential fraud or loss.
These warnings follow a similar advisory issued last year when several unrelated websites used the MGA name in an attempt to establish credibility. The regulator has since increased monitoring of the illegal market and continues to flag suspicious domains as they are identified.
The MGA expands player-protection tools and monitoring systems
The regulator continues to expand its player-protection framework. One recent initiative is a self-assessment tool launched in October 2025 to help individuals evaluate their gambling behavior. The tool was developed with support from Caritas Malta, Agenzija Sedqa, the OASI Foundation and the Responsible Gaming Foundation. It provides personalized guidance, encourages early recognition of harmful patterns, and connects users with support services when needed.
This forms part of a broader package of measures that also includes strengthened monitoring requirements for licensed operators, automated risk detection systems and improvements to the self-exclusion network.
The MGA has also reiterated the importance of its public database of licensed operators. The register is updated continuously and remains the most reliable method for verifying whether a website is legally authorized to offer gambling services under Maltese law.
MGA focuses on reputation, oversight and cross-border enforcement
The latest warning arrives at a moment when Malta’s regulator is under increased scrutiny across Europe. Recent years have seen the MGA expand cooperation with financial and regulatory bodies, update oversight priorities and publish more detailed enforcement reports.
According to its most recent disclosures, the Authority imposed 25 administrative fines and issued 17 new licenses during the previous year. Its enforcement work now includes real-time monitoring of high-risk websites, improved cross-border information sharing and a renewed focus on identifying repeated misuse of the MGA name.
For the regulator, protecting the integrity of the Maltese licensing system is a central pillar of its long-term strategy to improve its authority as a reputable regulator. As unlicensed operators continue to target consumers with misleading claims, the Authority is expected to intensify both public warnings and direct enforcement actions throughout 2026.
References:
- Malta Gaming Authority – https://www.mga.org.mt
- MGA Licensed Operators Register – https://www.mga.org.mt/licences
- The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) public notice warning that lavbet321.com and kasinoseta.com are unauthorized – https://www.mga.org.mt/player-hub/unauthorised-urls/
- MGA’s press release about launching a self-assessment tool for gambling habits – https://www.mga.org.mt/mga-introduces-self-assessment-tool-to-help-individuals-assess-gambling-habits/
