The bCasino and Boo online casinos operator is back in business after the MGA Lifts licensing suspension on Green Feather!(Photo by Donald Tong on Pexels)
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) suspended the Green Feather Operator’s licensing earlier this month. However, the online gambling regulator has reversed course and reinstated the MGA/B2C/445/2017 license following cooperation from the operator.
Most online casino players at Boo Casino and Casino probably didn’t realise the suspension had occurred, and those who did were confused. However, all is good again.
Originally, the MGA stated that the suspension of Green Feather was due to Gaming Compliance and Enforcement Regulations under reg. 8(1)(f) of the framework. At the time, the casino had to allow players to withdraw funds if they felt threatened by the MGA’s actions.
Withdrawals do not affect the online casino operator’s bank balance because, under the rules of the MGA licensing authority, play casino balances stay in a separate bank account from the operator’s main accounts.
However, suspensions will affect short-term revenues because players who see the suspension may feel it is safer to withdraw funds immediately if the MGA does not lift it. Hence, it appears Green Feather acted promptly to cooperate. Its licensing was therefore suspended from 3 August to 18 August, after which the MGA announced it had lifted the suspension.
How did Green Feather Corporate? There needed to be more specific information. However, there is no report of a fine coming from the MGA. It would likely have been a matter of failing to prove AML checks were in place and having to show the MGA it had followed procedure.
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) Dishes Out More Suspensions
The MGA lifting licensing suspension is excellent news for the Green Feather operator and players at its bCasino and Boo online casinos. However, other operators have yet to have such fortunate news.
SFJL Holding Limited (C- 80251) MGA Licensing Suspended
This operator was inaugurated under the Malta company registration number C- 80251 in 2017. On 4 August, just one day after Green Feather’s suspension, the MGA announced the suspension of SFJL Holding Limited’s MGA MGA/B2C/313/2006 licensing activities until further notice.
I did some digging and cannot determine which sportsbook(s) this company operates. The company operates under a B2C – Gaming Service Licence with Type 2 Gaming Services for Fixed Odds Betting, including Live Betting.
I presume there are members of a sportsbook somewhere now withdrawing funds until the MHA and SFJL Holding Limited resolve the matter amicably. The issues the operator must address include (a) Material changes that the MGA must be notified of. The MGA said it would not have approved these material changes had the authority known about them (properly notified). I suspect a hefty fine is coming here.
The issues the operator must address include (a) Material changes that the MGA must be notified of. The MGA said it would not have approved these material changes had the authority known about them (properly notified). I suspect a hefty fine is coming here.
EGMIT Elite Limited (C-96417) MGA Licensing Cancellation
Even harsher than a suspension is operators that have their MGA (MGA/B2C/839/2020) licensing cancelled. That is the case for EGMIT Elite Limited. The company was the operator of the Elite24Bet sports book. Looking at its website, the sportsbook closed on 1 February 2023.
The licensing cancellation is due to several reasons, such as failure to comply with an order issued by the MGA, obligations in terms of regulatory law, failure to discharge financial commitments, not meeting its commitments to players, and the worst of all sins for a licensing authority, failure to pay MGA fees. It looks like this sportsbook began in 2020 and didn’t quite make the cut to stay afloat. The likely outcome was that the owner just had enough and let it go, hence the long list of licensing violations outlined by the MGA. The online casino gaming world is a tough cookie to crack as it is a highly competitive industry.
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