The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has confirmed it is not connected to a myriad of online casino platforms.
The island’s regulatory body released stated that any reference to the MGA on the websites nobet177.com, slotvocalnocasheu.vip, joypang-0907.com and playxfortuna.com are “false and misleading”.
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.
Meanwhile, Joypang-0907 and Play Fortuna appear to be platforms focused on the Korean and Russian markets, two locations in which online casino is 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, 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.”