MGA addresses ‘false and misleading’ claims of unauthorised URL connections

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has issued a notice to residents declaring it maintains “no connection” with unauthorised betting sites run by Dragonia Casino, as well as reminding players to avoid “risky” transactions offered by unregulated entities. 

“Any reference to the MGA and/or gaming licence(s) said to be issued by the Maltese Authority, as stated by the above websites, is false and misleading,” the MGA said. 

“The MGA would like to remind consumers not to utilise services provided by an entity unless they have ascertained that the entity in question is authorised to provide such services by the MGA. The activities of unlicensed entities are unregulated and do not provide the necessary safeguards delineated by virtue of the framework, making transactions with such entities risky for consumers.”

Claims of any connection the MGA may have with Dragonia Casino fail to represent the first time the Malta regulator has had to address unregulated sites, having also done so on 30 January and during October 2025. 

To perhaps expand its capabilities in identifying unauthorised betting sites, the MGA appointed Kimberley Vella as the new Head of the Regulatory Oversight Department on 17 April. Her career at the MGA first began in 2023, where she served as a Compliance and Player Protection Manager.

The regulator also published its Supervisory Engagement Efforts for 2026 on 13 March, setting out the areas that will shape its regulatory oversight of the online gaming sector over the coming year.

The framework builds on supervisory processes refined in 2025, with the Authority stating it will continue to apply a risk-based, evidence-led and outcomes-focused approach.  

According to the MGA, this is intended to improve how it identifies and assesses regulatory risk, while directing supervisory resources towards areas where intervention is most needed.