Malta Gaming Authority Cancels BTM Entertainment’s License

Several years ago, in 2019, the gambling regulator in Malta, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), announced it decided to suspend the authorization of BTM Entertainment Group Limited, a company that operated the online gambling brand Roy Richie. This suspension effectively stopped the gambling company from operating as it wasn’t allowed to register new players or accept deposits. Upon announcing the suspension, the MGA did not disclose a reason behind its decision.

Now, the gambling watchdog has taken further action against BTM Entertainment. Last week, the MGA said that it had decided to cancel the authorization of the company altogether. Upon announcing its decision, the Authority said that it is in line with regulation 10 (1) (a) and regulations 9 (1) (c), (d), (f), (l) and (m) of the country’s Gaming Compliance and Enforcement Regulations.

The cancellation of the license is effective as of March 22, 2024. As a result, BTM Entertainment was given seven working days to settle all outstanding fees with the MGA. Besides confirming the license cancellation, the MGA said that its decision is subject to appeal under article 43 of Malta’s Gambling Act.

“The Malta Gaming Authority has decided to cancel the authorization bearing reference number MGA/B2C/350/2016 issued to BTM Entertainment Group Limited effective as of 22 March 2024,“

reads a statement released by the Malta Gaming Authority

A Busy Period for the MGA

The latest decision follows another recent license cancellation. Earlier this month, the MGA said it canceled Rush Gaming’s license. Similarly to the case regarding BTM Entertainment, the cancellation followed a suspended authorization imposed by the Authority earlier this year.

Not unexpectedly, upon announcing Rush Gaming’s license cancellation, the MGA did not disclose a reason for its decision. Still, upon initially confirming the license suspension, the regulatory watchdog said that Rush Gaming “failed to comply with one or more applicable obligations in terms of any regulatory instrument or any other applicable law of Malta.”

In February, the MGA distanced itself from Antonio Ricci, an infamous figure related to the Italian mafia. At the time, the Authority rejected any ties to the notorious figure.