TLDR
- The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) issued an advisory warning about unlicensed gambling websites copying licensed brands.
- A fake site impersonating Dragonara Casino in St. Julian’s was flagged by the regulator.
- The MGA is urging players to check for a valid licence before depositing money.
- Germany reported that 254 illegal gambling operators left the market by the end of 2025.
- 370 advertisers in Germany stopped promoting unlicensed gambling brands.
The Malta Gaming Authority has warned players about a rise in fake gambling websites that pretend to be licensed operators. The regulator issued the advisory on Friday.
It said it has found a pattern of unlicensed sites copying the look and branding of MGA-approved companies. The goal appears to be tricking players into thinking the sites are authorised.
One example named in the advisory was a fake site pretending to be the online business of Dragonara Casino in St. Julian’s. The MGA said this platform is active and has no licence.
How Players Can Spot Fake Sites
The MGA told consumers to check that any gambling site holds a valid licence before signing up or depositing funds. It said this step can be done through official regulator listings.
Licensed operators must follow consumer protection rules. This includes safeguards around deposits, complaints, and responsible gambling tools.
Unlicensed sites do not follow these rules. The MGA said this leaves customers open to greater financial and legal risk if something goes wrong.
The regulator did not say how many fake sites it has identified in total. It also did not confirm whether any players have reported financial losses tied to these copycat platforms so far.
Wider Crackdown Across Europe
The Malta warning comes as regulators across Europe deal with the size of the illegal gambling market. Much of the current debate centers on new rules in countries like the UK and the Netherlands.
Some industry voices argue that stricter regulation, higher taxes, and advertising limits may be pushing players toward unlicensed sites instead of away from gambling. Regulators in those countries have not confirmed this link directly.
Germany has taken a harder stance on enforcement in recent months. Its gambling regulator said 254 illegal online operators had left the market by the end of 2025.
The German regulator also said 370 advertisers stopped promoting unlicensed gambling brands. This was part of a wider push to reduce exposure to illegal platforms across the country.
These figures point to a broader effort across the region to limit the reach of unlicensed gambling companies. Enforcement has ranged from advertising bans to direct action against operators.
For Malta, copycat websites now stand out as a fresh problem alongside this larger fight against illegal gambling. The MGA said players can no longer assume a familiar brand name means a site is safe.
The regulator said it will continue to monitor for cases of impersonation. It has not said whether it plans further advisories in the near term.
