In a week marked by regulatory actions, both Malta and Ireland have taken disciplinary measures against operators for non-compliance with regulations. The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) revoked Tipster’s license, while Ireland’s national lottery regulator withheld €150,000 ($161,000) of payments from Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI) for license breaches.
Tipster’s License Revoked by MGA:
Following its suspension in Malta and the immediate revocation of its German sports betting license by Gemeinsamen Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), Tipster has had its Maltese license cancelled by the MGA. The MGA deemed license cancellation as the appropriate action and instructed Tipster to inform players of this development while settling any outstanding fees owed to the regulator.
Ireland’s Regulatory Action Against PLI:
In Ireland, the National Lottery Regulator took a significant step by withholding €150,000 in payments from operator PLI due to license breaches. The operator had failed to implement a mechanism to permanently close closed accounts after two years, inadvertently allowing self-excluded users to continue gambling. This incident marked the first instance of payment withholding as a consequence of regulatory violations.
Details of the Breach:
The breach in question involved 126 permanently banned accounts that remained active due to the absence of proper monitoring by PLI. Instead of being labeled as “permanently closed,” these accounts were deleted, permitting their owners to create new ones. To exacerbate matters, four of these players received marketing emails from the operator, further highlighting the severity of the breach. As a result, 16 players opened new accounts, and 10 made ticket purchases through these new accounts, amounting to €3,292.
These regulatory actions underscore the stringent oversight and commitment to maintaining the integrity of the gambling industry. Both the MGA and Ireland’s National Lottery Regulator are dedicated to enforcing compliance with regulations and ensuring the protection of consumers. These measures serve as a clear warning to operators about the consequences of failing to adhere to established rules and responsibilities within the gaming sector.