Meridianbet, a leading sports betting and gaming operator and subsidiary of Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has completed the acquisition of Fairbet Ltd., a licensed retail gaming operator in Malta operating under MGA license B2C/195/2011.
With the transaction finalized, Meridianbet takes 100% ownership of Fairbet’s retail operations across Malta and Gozo, expanding its physical footprint beyond its existing estate. The acquisition adds nine retail outlets, bringing Meridianbet’s total retail presence in the market to 20 storefronts.
The enlarged network is expected to comprise more than 60 sports betting terminals and over 120 slot machines, strengthening Meridianbet’s scale in one of Europe’s most tightly regulated retail gaming jurisdictions. 
The companies’ prior technology partnership will now transition into full operational control by Meridianbet, with immediate integration under the Meridianbet brand.
Malta’s retail gaming market is widely viewed as one of the most restrictive in Europe, with only three licensed operators currently active: Meridianbet, Izibet (the National Lottery operator) and Fairbet. With Fairbet now wholly owned, Meridianbet will control two of the three retail licenses in the jurisdiction—an environment defined by high regulatory barriers, strict licensing standards and significant compliance requirements enforced by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).
“Completing the acquisition of Fairbet strengthens our position in a market where regulatory barriers create inherent scarcity value,” said Zoran Milosevic, CEO of Meridianbet. “This transaction expands our retail infrastructure in Malta and enables our technology to serve the majority of licensed retail gaming in the country. It also reflects our M&A strategy—targeting high-barrier markets where limited licensing can create structural competitive advantages.”
The acquisition aligns with Meridianbet’s broader approach of combining organic growth with selective M&A in markets where regulatory frameworks support consolidation. Malta has been a strategic operational hub for Meridianbet since 2008, with the Company ranking among the jurisdiction’s early licensed operators.
Meridianbet’s expanded retail coverage across Malta and Gozo is expected to enhance access for both local customers and the country’s large tourist base, with Malta recording more than three million visitors in 2024, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO) of Malta Tourism’s December 2024 report.
