Evoplay strengthens Malta presence through IZIGROUP gaming partnership

Evoplay is strengthening its position in Malta following a new content partnership with IZIGROUP, a major European lottery and gaming operator with a substantial presence across land-based and online gaming. The agreement brings a selection of Evoplay games to several IZIGROUP online brands and represents another step in the supplier's strategy of working with established operators in regulated jurisdictions.

The partnership was announced by IZIGROUP on 25 June 2026. According to the operator's corporate information, its digital portfolio includes online casino, sports betting and lottery offerings. The group also operates the Dragonara Casino and holds the exclusive concession to operate Malta's National Lottery through National Lottery plc.

Under the new arrangement, selected Evoplay titles are being integrated across IZIGROUP's online brands, including izibet.com, lottery.mt and dragonara.com. The rollout gives the operator an opportunity to broaden its casino content selection while introducing Evoplay's portfolio to customers using its different digital platforms.

For Evoplay, the agreement provides a route to deeper engagement with the Maltese market through an operator that has an established local footprint. Malta remains an important European gaming jurisdiction where licensing, compliance and responsible gaming considerations play a central role in the development and distribution of online gaming products.

Selected Evoplay titles join IZIGROUP platforms

The initial content rollout includes Penalty Shoot-Out: Cup Mania, Crimson Crown and 3 Crowns: Coin Hunt. The three games represent different aspects of Evoplay's portfolio and give IZIGROUP's online brands additional variety across fast-paced and traditional casino-style experiences.

Penalty Shoot-Out: Cup Mania is an instant game built around a football penalty theme. Evoplay describes the title as a fast-paced experience focused on tension, decision-making and escalating rewards. The company has also positioned the game around the heightened interest generated by major international football events.

Crimson Crown takes a different approach, using a classic slot format with a Hold & Win feature. The title combines familiar casino imagery with a feature-led game structure designed to add additional stages of interaction to the base game.

Meanwhile, 3 Crowns: Coin Hunt draws on traditional slot aesthetics. Evoplay's official game catalogue describes the title as featuring familiar symbols such as fruits, BARs, bells and diamonds alongside crown-themed bonus elements.

The selection therefore provides IZIGROUP with a combination of instant-game content and slot products rather than relying on a single game style. For an operator managing several online brands, this type of portfolio diversity can be relevant when developing content strategies for different audiences and gaming preferences.

A partnership focused on regulated market growth

The agreement also highlights the importance of distribution partnerships in the European iGaming sector. Game suppliers can develop extensive portfolios but require suitable operator relationships to make their products available to customers in specific regulated markets.

For Evoplay, partnerships with established operators can support market access while allowing the supplier to introduce its games through existing digital infrastructure. The company's official materials identify Alex Malchenko as Head of Sales and describe his responsibilities as including commercial growth and partnerships across different regions.

Alex Malchenko, head of sales at Evoplay, said: “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 and support the operator in delivering premium gaming experiences.”

The wording reflects the commercial significance the supplier places on Malta while avoiding any suggestion that the partnership itself changes the regulatory status of the participating brands. In Malta, gaming activities are subject to oversight by the Malta Gaming Authority and applicable licensing requirements.

The Malta Gaming Authority states that its role includes ensuring gaming is fair and transparent while protecting minors and vulnerable players. Its regulatory framework also places significant emphasis on player protection and responsible gaming.

IZIGROUP continues to develop its digital offering

The agreement is also consistent with IZIGROUP's wider focus on expanding and developing its digital gaming operations. The company describes itself as a European lottery and gaming operator with activities spanning lotteries, casino, iGaming, sports betting and other gaming verticals.

Its online business includes izibet.com and dragonara.com while lottery.mt provides access to lottery products online. IZIGROUP's corporate history states that IZI Interactive Limited was established as the group's iGaming subsidiary and secured a B2C online gaming licence from the Malta Gaming Authority in 2016.

Cristian Rachieru, chief product officer at IZIGROUP, added: “It is great to welcome Evoplay’s portfolio across our online brands. The supplier has built a strong reputation for developing engaging, high-quality content and its games make an excellent addition to our casino offering.

“We look forward to working closely with the Evoplay team as we continue to enhance the entertainment experience for our players.”

IZIGROUP's current corporate information confirms Cristian Rachieru as Chief Product Officer for the group and Chief Product Officer of IZI Interactive.

The executive's role is particularly relevant to the agreement because content selection and product development are central to maintaining a competitive online casino proposition. Adding games from an external supplier can give an operator greater flexibility in refreshing its catalogue without relying exclusively on internally developed content.

Malta remains an important regulated gaming jurisdiction

The partnership comes at a time when regulatory standards continue to shape how gaming businesses approach international expansion. Malta has developed a mature regulatory framework for online gaming and maintains a dedicated licensing and supervisory structure through the Malta Gaming Authority.

The Authority's 2025 annual report, published in July 2026, recorded continued licensing activity across Malta's land-based and online gaming sectors. During 2025, the MGA received 38 applications for new gaming licences and issued 19 licences while also processing licence renewals.

For suppliers and operators, operating in such an environment requires more than simply making games available. Product deployment must take account of applicable technical, compliance and player-protection requirements. This makes established commercial relationships particularly relevant when companies expand their presence within regulated markets.

Responsible gaming is another important part of that framework. The Malta Gaming Authority states that licensed operators must provide players with information and tools intended to support safer gambling practices. Malta's Responsible Gaming Foundation also provides awareness, guidance and support services for people affected by gambling-related harm.

What the partnership means for both companies

From Evoplay's perspective, the IZIGROUP agreement strengthens distribution in a market where regulatory compliance and established operator relationships are important considerations. It also places selected titles within a broader digital ecosystem that covers casino, betting and lottery brands.

For IZIGROUP, the partnership expands the range of third-party casino content available through its online operations. The addition of established titles such as Crimson Crown and 3 Crowns: Coin Hunt can contribute to a broader games catalogue while Penalty Shoot-Out: Cup Mania adds an instant-game format with a sports-oriented theme.

The commercial value of the agreement will ultimately depend on factors such as player engagement, content performance and the continued development of the operator's digital brands. Those outcomes cannot be determined solely from the announcement and should therefore be assessed over time.

More broadly, the deal illustrates how suppliers and operators can use partnerships to develop their respective positions within regulated gaming markets. Rather than representing a change to Malta's regulatory framework, the agreement is best understood as a content distribution arrangement between two established industry participants.

Conclusion

The new IZIGROUP partnership gives Evoplay a stronger platform from which to develop its presence in Malta while providing IZIGROUP with additional casino and instant-game content for its online brands. The initial rollout, featuring Penalty Shoot-Out: Cup Mania, Crimson Crown and 3 Crowns: Coin Hunt, offers a varied selection that complements the operator's existing digital portfolio.

The agreement also reflects a wider industry trend in which game suppliers increasingly rely on established operator relationships to expand within regulated jurisdictions. For operators, meanwhile, access to varied and regularly refreshed content remains an important component of maintaining competitive online gaming services.

With Malta continuing to operate under a defined regulatory and player-protection framework, partnerships such as this one will be shaped not only by commercial considerations but also by compliance, responsible gaming and product suitability. For Evoplay and IZIGROUP, the collaboration therefore represents a practical expansion of their existing activities rather than a claim of guaranteed commercial performance.

As the titles become part of IZIGROUP's online offering, the partnership will provide both companies with an opportunity to evaluate how Evoplay's content performs across the operator's established digital brands. Its longer-term significance will depend on market response and the companies' future plans, but the agreement clearly adds another layer to Evoplay's regulated-market expansion strategy.

FAQs

What is the new Evoplay partnership about?
Evoplay has entered into a content partnership with IZIGROUP that brings selected Evoplay games to several of IZIGROUP's online gaming brands in Malta.

Which IZIGROUP brands are included in the partnership?
The initial rollout covers izibet.com, lottery.mt and dragonara.com according to the partnership announcement.

Which Evoplay games are being introduced?
The initial selection includes Penalty Shoot-Out: Cup Mania, Crimson Crown and 3 Crowns: Coin Hunt.

What type of game is Penalty Shoot-Out: Cup Mania?
Penalty Shoot-Out: Cup Mania is an instant game based on a football penalty theme and focuses on fast-paced gameplay and decision-making.

What is Crimson Crown?
Crimson Crown is a slot game from Evoplay that uses a Hold & Win feature alongside a classic casino-style format.

What is 3 Crowns: Coin Hunt?
3 Crowns: Coin Hunt is a classic-style slot featuring familiar casino symbols and crown-themed bonus elements.

Why is Malta important to Evoplay?
Malta is an established regulated gaming jurisdiction with a dedicated regulatory framework overseen by the Malta Gaming Authority, making it relevant to suppliers seeking compliant market expansion.

Who is Alex Malchenko?
Alex Malchenko is Head of Sales at Evoplay and is involved in the company's commercial development and international partnership activity.

Who is Cristian Rachieru?
Cristian Rachieru is Chief Product Officer at IZIGROUP and IZI Interactive, with responsibility for product-related activities within the group.

Does the partnership change Malta's gaming regulations?
No. The agreement is a commercial content partnership. Gaming activities in Malta remain subject to applicable laws, licensing requirements and Malta Gaming Authority oversight.