Golden Matrix subsidiary Meridianbet has completed its acquisition of Fairbet to help extend the operator’s retail presence in Malta. Meridianbet increased its footprint to 20 storefronts as part of the transaction, including over 60 sports betting terminals and 120 slot machines.
"Completing the acquisition of Fairbet strengthens our position in a market where regulatory barriers create inherent scarcity value," Meridianbet CEO Zoran Milosevic said.
"The transaction will enable us to expand our operations and retail infrastructure in Malta, with our technology serving the majority of licensed retail gaming in the country. The deal also demonstrates our strategic M&A approach – targeting acquisitions in high-barrier markets where limited licensing to create structural competitive advantages."
Meridianbet previously secured a multi-year licensing agreement with Fairbet in December, but has now taken 100% ownership of the retail gaming operator’s distribution network.
Fairbet is also currently licensed under the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) which, according to Meridianbet, “enforces stringent licensing standards, significant capital requirements and comprehensive compliance obligations that create formidable barriers to entry.”
The MGA’s licensing framework uses “investor protection, technical standards and capital requirements” to position Malta-licensed operators “for credibility across European markets.”
Following the transaction, Meridianbet will operate its own retail locations in Malta and control the distribution network of Fairbet, owning two of the country’s three retail licenses as a result.
The Fairbet acquisition was said to be part of Meridianbet's strategy to combine “organic growth” with “selective M&A” in markets where “regulatory frameworks favor consolidation.”
Meridianbet has maintained a license presence in Malta since its early regulatory development, with the country serving as an established operational hub for the operator for over 15 years.
Golden Matrix unveiled its latest financial statistics on October 31, highlighting a record Q3 2025 revenue figure of $47.3m, which represents an increase of 15% in comparison to results from the prior year period
