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(AsiaGameHub) – The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has moved to immediately revoke the B2C gaming service licence of Winzon Group, with the decision taking effect retroactively from 11 March 2026.
Winzon’s licence was cancelled under the proviso of reg. 10 (2) (b) of the Gaming Compliance and Enforcement Regulations (S.L. 583.06), a legal mechanism that allows the regulator to bypass the standard 20-day show cause notice period.
Consequently, the operator has been instructed to cease all activities at once and must:
- Inform players of the revocation via email and on its websites for a duration of 30 days.
- Refund all legitimate players and submit a transaction report to the authority, supported by bank statements as verification.
- Manage personal data in compliance with its privacy policy and relevant data protection laws, ensuring players are notified accordingly.
- Eliminate all MGA branding and authorisation references from its digital platforms.
- Settle €46,693.23 in unpaid MGA fees, covering annual licence costs and minimum compliance contributions.
- Pay €147,080 in administrative penalties resulting from various breaches of the Act and its associated regulatory instruments.
The MGA further noted that Winzon remains responsible for all applicable obligations arising from the Act and any other relevant regulatory frameworks.
Winzon previously operated more than 40 MGA-approved websites, featuring software from providers such as Tom Horn Gaming, Oryx Gaming, Booming Games, EveryMatrix and Relax Gaming.
Updates to Malta VAT and taxation
The revocation of Winzon’s licence coincides with updates to Malta’s gaming tax system by the MGA and the Malta Tax and Customs Administration (MTCA). Following the publication of legal notices 84 and 86, these reforms aim to provide greater transparency and predictability for operators.
The changes include amendments to the VAT Act, specifically clarifying exemptions and implementing rules for place of supply and input VAT recovery.
Revisions will also be made to gaming tax regulations, introducing simplified and fair tax rates for both land-based and online operators providing qualifying gaming services in Malta. This includes merging the gaming tax and device levy into a single, streamlined tax structure based on game type and delivery method.
The MGA stated that these updates were driven by industry input and are part of its 2026 budget, with the gaming tax framework designed to maintain a balanced impact on Malta’s gaming sector.
“Taken together, these coordinated reforms represent a measured and forward‑looking policy response that strengthens Malta’s fiscal resilience, regulatory clarity and international standing as a leading gaming jurisdiction,” the authority stated.
“They provide operators with greater certainty and efficiency, while ensuring Malta remains a stable and competitive base for gaming businesses.”
The new measures are scheduled to take effect on 1 October 2026, with additional guidance from the MGA and MTCA expected to be released in due course.
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