Malta regulator awards skill games and bet-on-lottery licences
Fantasy sports provider Oulala and Lotto Warehouse receive B2B licensure from the MGA
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has added two new licensees to its books after awarding Oulala and Lotto Warehouse B2B permits.
Daily fantasy sports provider Oulala secured a ‘controlled B2B skill games licence’ from the MGA, one which the firm said was the first of its kind to be dished out by the Maltese regulator.
“The authorities in Malta were the first in foretelling the impact of DFS’ potential in Europe, and the MGA was in fact the first regulator to acknowledge our needs,” Benjamin Carlotti, Oulala co-founder and MD, said.
”We are incredibly proud to be participating in the development of a licensing framework that regulates skill-based games, fantasy sports included. This was a highly significant step in the right direction, and our hope is that other European regulators will soon follow suit,” he added.
A controlled skill game licence, which can be used for either B2C and/or B2B purposes, is valid for five years and subject to a number of requirements, including segregation of operational and players’ funds.
Meanwhile, Lotto Warehouse also gained a licence from the MGA, with the regulator awarding the recently-formed firm a B2B Class 4 platform licence to host and manage betting on the outcome of lotteries.
The licence will enable the firm, which was launched in Q4 2016, to offer operators its secondary lottery products on either a standard betting platform, or to run a design customised portfolio of secondary lottery games.
“We are very excited to be able to offer licensed B2C operators the chance to add an exciting new lottery betting vertical to their platforms,” Thomas Biro, Lotto Warehouse CEO, said.
“I am grateful to the MGA staff and their chairman, Mr Joseph Cuschieri, for their understanding, professionalism and full cooperation throughout this process. I would also like to thank Mr Reuben Portanier of Avviza Advisory who assisted us throughout the licensing process,” he added.
Lotto Warehouse, which is part of the The Multi Group, is already home to 25 employees, with the company currently undertaking a recruitment drive as it aims to increase to 75 by the end of this year.