Global Regulators Award Key Licenses and Strengthen RG

Key Takeaways

• Malta Gaming Authority grants three operators new remote gaming licenses, enhancing European market access amid stricter compliance standards.
• Ontario's iGaming Ontario awards initial supplier licenses, signaling accelerated growth in Canada's regulated online sector.
• The UK Gambling Commission is enforcing enhanced vulnerability checks, mandating AI-driven tools for new and existing operators to curb harm.
• Betsson AB secures Peru license, bolstering Latin American foothold with integrated responsible gambling protocols.
• Flutter Entertainment partners with EPIC Global Solutions on AI innovations, prioritizing player protection in multiple jurisdictions.

Malta Gaming Authority Approves New Remote Gaming Licenses

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has approved remote gaming licenses for three emerging operators—Betable Ltd, a UK-based platform innovator; Gaming Innovation Group (GiG), a Norwegian tech provider; and Novomatic's subsidiary—effective December 2, 2025. These Class 1 licenses, under the Gaming Act 2018 framework, permit full online casino and betting operations targeting EU and global players, subject to geoblocking for restricted markets. Betable, previously focused on white-label solutions, enters as a full operator with its proprietary aggregation platform. At the same time, GiG leverages its in-house development for customized slots and live dealer experiences—Novomatic aims to expand its land-based portfolio into the digital realm.

This milestone matters as Malta remains Europe's premier iGaming hub, hosting over 500 licensees and generating €1.7 billion in annual GGR. The approvals align with MGA's updated anti-money laundering directives, which require real-time transaction monitoring and the integration of mandatory self-exclusion via the national RGF portal. For players, it promises diverse, compliant options; regulators gain from bolstered oversight, including quarterly audits. Industry stakeholders anticipate a 15% increase in Malta-licensed traffic to non-EU markets such as Australia by Q2 2026. Launch timelines target January 2026, with an initial focus on mobile-first experiences to reach the 25-34 demographic.

Source: Malta Gaming Authority Official Bulletin

Ontario Regulator Issues First iGaming Supplier Licenses

iGaming Ontario (iGO), Ontario's independent regulator, issued its inaugural supplier licenses to Evolution AB and Playtech on December 1, 2025, enabling live casino streaming and backend integration for new private operators. Under the 2022 Gaming Control Act, these Type 1 licenses—valid for three years with renewal—mandate ISO 27001 certification and integration with the provincial PlayNow registry for age and identity verification. Evolution, a Swedish leader in live dealer tech, partners with newcomers like Betway for localized blackjack and roulette tables, while Playtech supplies jackpot systems compliant with 85% RTP thresholds.

The development underscores Ontario's maturation as North America's first open-market iGaming jurisdiction, now boasting 45 registered operators since the April 2022 launch. It facilitates market entry for Tier 1 suppliers, reducing barriers for startups by providing standardized APIs amid a competitive landscape dominated by incumbents like PointsBet. Players benefit from enhanced game variety and geo-fenced protections; regulators enforce €500 monthly deposit caps via iGO's central monitoring. Stakeholders project €400 million in new GGR by mid-2026, with launches slated for February. This positions Ontario as a blueprint for provinces like British Columbia eyeing similar frameworks.

Source: iGaming Ontario Press Release

UKGC Mandates AI-Powered Vulnerability Assessments

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) rolled out mandatory enhanced vulnerability checks on December 3, 2025, requiring all licensed operators—including new entrants—to deploy AI analytics for net deposits exceeding £500 monthly, dropping to £150 by February 2026. Under the updated Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP), tools must flag behavioral markers, such as session length and loss velocity, triggering frictionless interventions, such as pop-up reminders or temporary timeouts. New operators, like Entain's Ladbrokes, must integrate these within 90 days of approval.

This regulatory pivot addresses rising problem gambling rates (0.5% prevalence in 2024 NHS data) and extends slot protections—banning features like 'double or nothing'—to all casino products from January 17, 2026. In a market valued at £7.5 billion GGR, it levels the field for compliant newcomers against veterans, emphasizing data-sharing with GAMSTOP self-exclusion. Players gain proactive safeguards; regulators report 20% efficacy in pilots. For stakeholders, it demands €2-5 million in tech upgrades, but fosters trust, potentially boosting retention by 10%. Implications include fines up to 10% of GGR for non-compliance, spurring innovation in ethical AI.

Source: UK Gambling Commission Consultation Response

Betsson Secures Peru Online Casino License

Betsson AB's subsidiary, Betsson Peru SAC, received a five-year online casino and sportsbook license from Peru's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) on November 30, 2025, marking its third entry into Latin America after Colombia and Argentina. The license, under Decreto Supremo 005-2010-EF, requires 12% GGR taxation and integration with the national SINAJA registry for responsible gaming, including mandatory weekly loss limits of € 200. Betsson, a Swedish group with €900 million in annual revenue, launches a Spanish-Portuguese platform featuring 1,500+ NetEnt slots and live tables tailored to Andean preferences.

Peru's nascent regulated market, legalized in 2023, projects €300 million GGR by 2026, challenging incumbents like Cirsa with Betsson's affiliate network. Ownership via public listing ensures transparency, with no pending compliance issues per Mincetur audits. Players access secure, localized payments via platforms like Yape; regulators enforce AML requirements via bi-annual filings. Stakeholders aim for 25% market share for Betsson, with a Q1 2026 rollout emphasizing mobile optimization. This bolsters regional expansion and mitigates EU saturation risks.

Source: Mincetur Official Gazette

Flutter Deepens AI Harm Prevention Partnerships

Flutter Entertainment announced a multi-year partnership with EPIC Global Solutions on December 4, 2025, deploying AI-driven harm detection across its Paddy Power and Betfair brands in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. The collaboration, valued at €10 million annually, integrates EPIC's behavioral analytics into Flutter's aggregation platform, enabling real-time alerts for 15% of at-risk sessions per internal benchmarks. As a London-listed entity with €8 billion in GGR, Flutter—owner of FanDuel—prioritizes this amid Australian reforms mandating national self-exclusion by 2026.

In competitive markets like Australia's €5 billion sector, this positions Flutter ahead, requiring new licensees to adopt similar tech in line with ACMA guidelines. Players receive personalized wellness checks; regulators verify via L4 audits. Timeline: Full rollout by March 2026, impacting 20 million users. Stakeholders gain from reduced churn (projected 8%), reinforcing Flutter's ethical leadership.

Source: Flutter Entertainment Investor Relations