Malta Gaming Authority Cancels Winzon Group Licence, €147,080 Penalty and Player Refund Order
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has cancelled the authorisation held by Winzon Group Limited. The decision took effect on 11 March 2026. The operator previously held a licence reference MGA/B2C/717/2019 under Malta’s online gaming regulatory framework.
According to the regulator, the cancellation followed the identification of several compliance issues. The action was taken under the Gaming Compliance and Enforcement Regulations, which allow the authority to intervene when a licence holder fails to meet its regulatory responsibilities.
The MGA supervises licensed gaming operators to ensure they follow the standards set out in the Gaming Act and related regulatory rules. These requirements are designed to protect players and maintain confidence in Malta’s regulated gaming environment. When operators fail to meet these obligations, the authority can take enforcement actions such as issuing penalties, suspending licences, or cancelling authorisations.
Winzon Group Limited’s Operations Under the MGA Licence
Before its licence was cancelled, Winzon Group Limited operated as an online gaming company authorised by the Malta Gaming Authority. With an MGA B2C licence, the operator was allowed to provide online gaming services to players through its digital platforms.
Companies holding an MGA licence are required to follow a number of regulatory obligations. These cover areas such as the protection of player funds, responsible gaming policies, anti-money laundering controls, technical compliance, and regular financial reporting to the regulator.
These rules form an important part of Malta’s gaming regulatory system and are designed to ensure that licensed operators run their platforms responsibly while maintaining safeguards for players.
Player Notification and Fund Refund Requirements
After the licence cancellation, the Malta Gaming Authority directed Winzon Group Limited to inform all registered players about the decision. The operator is required to send notifications through electronic communication and publish a notice on its website for a period of 30 days.
The company must also return all remaining balances to legitimate account holders. This includes any funds currently held in player accounts on the platform.
To confirm that the refunds have been completed, the operator is required to submit transaction records from its internal systems along with bank statements showing that the player balances have been returned.
Removal of Licence References and Data Protection Compliance
Winzon Group Limited has also been instructed to remove all references to its former MGA licence from its websites, platforms, and promotional materials. After the cancellation, the company is no longer allowed to present itself as an operator authorised by the Malta Gaming Authority.
The regulator has further required the company to continue managing player information in line with its existing privacy policies and relevant data protection laws, ensuring that customer data remains properly protected.
Financial Penalties and Outstanding Fees
In addition to cancelling the licence, the Malta Gaming Authority issued administrative penalties totaling €147,080 after identifying several regulatory breaches.
The regulator also required the company to settle outstanding licence-related fees of €46,693.23. Malta has also been reviewing its broader regulatory and taxation framework for gaming operators, including recent VAT and gaming tax reforms introduced by the Malta Gaming Authority and the Malta Tax and Customs Administration (MTCA).
According to the MGA, Winzon Group Limited remains responsible for meeting these financial obligations under Maltese gaming law. The authority also noted that further legal action could be considered if the payments are not made.
Regulatory Oversight in Malta’s Gaming Market
The Malta Gaming Authority is responsible for regulating and supervising gaming operators that hold licences in Malta. Malta is widely regarded as one of the leading regulatory jurisdictions in the iGaming sector, particularly when compared with other licensing models such as those discussed in Crypto Licensing Wars: Isle of Man vs Malta vs Curaçao. The regulator monitors whether operators follow the country’s gaming laws and meet the standards required to operate in the regulated market.
When necessary, the MGA takes enforcement action to maintain the integrity of the regulatory system and ensure that licence holders meet their obligations. Actions such as the cancellation of Winzon Group Limited’s authorisation demonstrate the authority’s role in overseeing compliance within Malta’s gaming industry.
Source : Malta Gaming Authority
