The Malta Gaming Authority‘s action in suspending the online gambling licenses of several companies last week following an Italian police investigation into organised crime, money laundering and fraud activity (see previous reports) took a new turn over the weekend, when three of the suspended operators threatened the regulator with legal action.
Local media reported that Uniq Group Ltd, Betsolution4U Ltd and FenPlay have challenged the regulator, threatening litigation for millions of Euros in damages should an investigation clear them of any criminal activity.
Presumably the MGA was guided in its drastic action against the three operators (and others) by the investigative outcomes of the Italian police enquiry into the Mafia-associated ‘Ndrangheta, which still appears to be ongoing.
The Malta police have commenced a complementary investigation, and the overall results – especially the reactions of the MGA to the legal challenge from the three operators – will be watched with interest by many.