Evoplay Strengthens Malta Presence with Strategic IZIGROUP Content Partnership

The Maltese gaming landscape continues to evolve as major suppliers seek deeper integration with local giants. On August 14, 2026, Evoplay, a prominent content developer established in 2017, finalized a deal with IZIGROUP, the concessionaire for Malta’s national lottery. This agreement ensures that Evoplay's suite of instant games and slots will be featured across the operator’s expansive retail and digital network, marking a significant step in the studio’s regulated market strategy.

The integration covers three distinct online entities under the IZIGROUP umbrella: izibet.com, lottery.mt, and dragonara.com. Each brand serves a specific segment of the market, from sports betting and lottery products to the digital extension of the Dragonara Casino, which has been a staple of the Maltese land-based scene since 1964. The partnership allows Evoplay to bypass fragmented distribution by working with a single group that holds multiple MGA licenses under the Gaming Act.

Numbers and facts

Initial titles included in the rollout feature popular games such as Penalty Shoot-Out: Cup Mania, Crimson Crown, and 3 Crowns: Coin Hunt. Evoplay currently boasts a catalog of over 250 games, including slots, table games, and crash games, distributed in more than 100 countries. IZIGROUP, founded in 2004, is a powerhouse in the region, employing over 500 people across offices in Luxembourg, Austria, and Brazil. Its subsidiary, National Lottery plc, remains the exclusive provider for all lotteries on the island.

"Malta has long been a key jurisdiction for the industry, and we are delighted to bring our portfolio to one of its most respected operators. With our portfolio now available across IZIGROUP’s brands, we’re confident our diverse content offering will resonate with players." - Alex Malchenko, Head of Sales at Evoplay

Background

The deal represents a continuation of Evoplay’s European growth, following a similar agreement in the Czech Republic with Bonver Win in July 2026. The Maltese market has seen increased supplier consolidation throughout 2026, as MGA-licensed studios aim for established local operators to maximize their reach across different gaming verticals simultaneously. For IZIGROUP, the addition of high-quality digital content is a key part of maintaining its competitive edge as a national concessionaire.

Cristian Rachieru, Chief Product Officer at IZIGROUP, highlighted the quality of Evoplay's content, noting that the games are an excellent addition to their current casino offering. This synergy between a traditional lottery operator and a modern game studio highlights the ongoing convergence of land-based and online gaming experiences in regulated jurisdictions.

Why it matters for German players

For players located in Germany, this partnership serves as a reminder of the differences between MGA-regulated markets and the German landscape under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). While IZIGROUP’s platforms offer a wide variety of Evoplay titles, these sites are not licensed by the German Joint Gambling Authority (GGL). Consequently, accessing these platforms from Germany is prohibited by law. The German market requires specific adaptations for all games, such as the removal of autoplay and the enforcement of a 1-euro stake limit per spin.

German residents must utilize platforms listed on the official GGL Whitelist to ensure they are protected by the LUGAS and OASIS systems. These systems track the mandatory 1,000-euro monthly deposit limit and provide a centralized self-exclusion database. While international deals like the one between Evoplay and IZIGROUP showcase innovation, German players should prioritize the legal safety provided by locally licensed operators to avoid issues with payouts or legal disputes.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

German GGL-licensed operators often look to major international deals as indicators of which content might perform well if brought to the domestic market. Evoplay’s success in Malta could pave the way for more of their titles to undergo the rigorous certification process required for the German market. For a game to be offered in a GGL-licensed casino, it must comply with strict player protection measures, including the five-second spin duration rule. Operators in Germany will likely monitor the performance of titles like Penalty Shoot-Out on Maltese platforms to gauge potential interest among German slot enthusiasts.