Meridianbet is a subsidiary of Golden Matrix Group Inc. As part of its broader iGaming and land-based strategy, the company is expanding its retail footprint in Malta. It has completed the purchase of Fairbet Ltd. Holding MGA license B2C/195/2011, Fairbet is a licensed retail gaming operator in Malta.
The transaction gives Meridianbet full ownership of Fairbet’s operations across Malta and Gozo, the second-largest island in the archipelago. The agreement adds nine retail locations to its existing estate, bringing the total number of storefronts in the market to 20. This move strengthens the company’s retail presence alongside its iGaming activities. The expanded network is expected to include more than 60 sports betting terminals and over 120 slot machines.
Meridianbet, as well as Fairbet recently operated under a technology collaboration, which will now transition into full operational integration. Following the completion of the acquisition, Meridianbet will rebrand Fairbet’s retail operations under its own name. The company will also assume full control of day-to-day operations and all compliance responsibilities.
Malta’s retaiol gaming sector operates under a tightly controlled regulatory structure overseen by the Malta Gaming Authority. Only three operators currently hold retail licenses in the jurisdiction: Meridianbet, Izibet, which operates the national lottery, and Fairbet. With the completion of the purchase, Meridianbet will control two of the three licensed retail gaming operations in Malta. This underscores the limited number of market participants permitted under the regulatory framework.
The Maltese market operates under stringent licensing, capital, and compliance requirements that apply to both retail and iGaming operators. These regulatory conditions have historically limited new market entry and encouraged consolidation among established license holders. Meridianbet has maintained a licensed presence in Malta since 2008, positioning itself among the jurisdiction’s early regulated operators.
The purchase aligns with the stated approach of combining organic growth with selective mergers, as well as purchase in regulated markets where structural and regulatory factors support consolidation with Meridianbet. Supporting both its retail estate, as well as wider igaming operations, Malta keeps on serving as a strategic operetional hub for the group.
