Bacchi was the subject of Italy’s Game Over police sting and was arrested along with 30 other individuals in early February under suspicion of controlling a network of 700 illegal betting shops across the country. The first company blacklisted as part of the investigation was B2875, a bookmaker run by Benedetto “Ninni” Bacchi through the Malta licensee Phoenix Limited. READ MORE Italian gaming interests becoming more high-risk In a comment to MaltaToday, the executive chairman of the MGA, Joseph Cuschieri, said the authority was now open to collaborate with the Italian anti-mafia commission and any other law enforcement agency “to iron out any concerns or misunderstandings in order to keep gaming free from crime.” The investigation was sparked by the latest batch of arrests in Italy by anti-mafia police, as part of Palermo’s “Game Over” operation. With the inquiry now closed, one licence has been suspended, one cancelled and three companies have chosen to avoid scrutiny by unilaterally “terminating” their own licences.

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) last month began an investigation into all of its licensees connected to Italy or owned by Italians in an effort to avoid further connections between Malta-licensed operators and organised crime being uncovered by Italian police. At least five Italian gambling companies have exited Malta following an investigation by the regulator into links to organised crime and unlicensed betting shops.

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