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The Malta Gaming Authority has cancelled Rush Gaming Ltd.’s B2C licence, effective March 11, 2024. The cancellation follows the licence suspension imposed in January 2024.
Rush Gaming Ltd. has been found in violation of one or more applicable obligations specified by regulatory instruments and other relevant laws in Malta.
In accordance with the Authority’s decision, Rush Gaming Ltd. has been directed to fulfill the following obligations:
- Notify all players of the Cancellation via e-mail;
- Settle all outstanding fees owed to the Authority;
- Promptly remove any mention of the Authority and their authorizations, as outlined in article 51 of the Act.
The decision made by the Authority may be subject to appeal as permitted by article 43 of the Act.
Rush Gaming still operating illegally?The terms of Rush Gaming Ltd.тАЩs licence included the operation of two 2 URLтАЩs. The first URL https://onebet.com/ is inactive. Regarding the second URL, in January 2024, vegasslotsonline.com reported that тАЬThe FansBet website currently displays the following message: тАЬAccess to this website is currently restricted and limited to login and withdrawal purposes only. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.тАЭ
However, a visit to https://fansbet.com/ following the MGA cancellation (visited 18-03-2024) reveals a site that appears active and still includes the claim that it is licenced by both the MGA and the Irish Revenue Commissioners. Licence number 1013060, which the https://fansbet.com/ claims to have, is not included in the list of registered licenced remote bookmakers.
The MGA diligently combats illegal gambling activities, vigorously enforcing regulations to maintain integrity within the industry. With a firm stance against license holders breaching terms, the MGA conducts thorough investigations and imposes strict penalties, ensuring adherence to legal standards and safeguarding the reputation of Malta’s gaming sector.
Anti-gambling campaigners in the UK argue that a lack of regulation has allowed betting, especially online, to proliferate, leading to spiralling rates of harm, addiction, and even suicide, particularly among the young. MPs recently called for children to be shielded from the тАШbombardmentтАЩ by gambling ads at football grounds. One study found 7,000 gambling messages on billboards, shirt sponsorship, and in TV ad breaks in six matches on the opening weekend of the season.
The gambling sector rakes in ┬г15 billion a year and attention was drawn to Bet365’s founder and CEO Denise Coates who recently caused a stir after paying herself ┬г271 million, even though the gambling giant swung into a loss last year. However, CEO of the UK Gambling Commission, Andrew Rhodes, does not see himself as a profits regulator. тАЬThe industry can make as much as it wants as long as it is according to licensing objectives, if itтАЩs not targeting vulnerable people, if itтАЩs not from crime or because terms and conditions are unfair,тАЭ he states.
The industry disputes any direct link between sports advertising and gambling harm. It also opposes affordability checks тАУ screening of puntersтАЩ bank accounts for signs of gambling distress. But the GovernmentтАЩs gambling strategy outlined last year wants stricter rules. So where does Rhodes stand?
тАЬOur focus is to ensure any advertising is тАШresponsibleтАЩ so gambling is not presented as тАШa way to solve problems, make money or relieve stressтАЩ,тАЭ he says. тАЬBut it is a difficult topic, as is sports sponsorship.тАЭ
Balancing act of profit and public welfareAndrew Rhodes said in an interview with ‘This is Money” that he too has a personal interest in betting and he has become more professional since he assumed his role. Despite his position overseeing bookies, casinos, amusement arcades, and the National Lottery, he said that he enjoys a flutter and recently had a bit of success at Cheltenham, landing two winners on the opening day.
Rhodes, 56, is not a big gambler, but heтАЩs been at it for a long time. тАЬIтАЩll never make a living out of it, but IтАЩm moderately successful,тАЭ he says. However, his role at the Gambling Commission has necessitated some restrictions. He canтАЩt play the National Lottery due to his role in granting and managing the license that Czech-owned Allwyn has just taken over from Camelot. He canтАЩt even gamble in betting shops or play slot machines.
While the gambling industry continues to rake in significant profits, the debate around its regulation and the potential harm it can cause continues. As the head of the Gambling Commission, Andrew Rhodes finds himself at the centre of this debate, tasked with balancing the interests of the industry with the need to protect vulnerable individuals. His stance on responsible advertising and his opposition to the industryтАЩs profits being regulated provide a clear indication of his approach to these challenges.