Nicole Mari Azzopardi

• Performed MLRO duties on an interim basis within a fixed-term engagement.
• Reviewed and assessed internal suspicious activity and transaction reports, ensuring appropriate escalation, documentation, and follow-up.
• Managed the responses to Requests for Information from regulatory authorities and PSPs in a timely and clear manner.
• Supported the AML team in analysing CDD, EDD during periodic reviews, and the investigation of transaction monitoring alerts.
• Approved high-value e-money transactions, and high-risk customer relationships.
• Collaborated with first-line teams following Quality Assurance reviews to implement corrective action plans, including procedural updates, and targeted training.
• Contributed to the development of an AI-driven solution to streamline reporting and eliminate reliance on fragmented spreadsheets.
• Contributed to the reviews of first- and second-line policies and procedures to ensure alignment and consistency, and compliance with Maltese AML/CFT requirements.

MFSA-Approved MLRO & Compliance Officer

Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO)

• Led the selection, approval, and implementation of an ID&V solution as well as a new Screening provider to support business operations.
• Approved high-risk clients in line with AML/CFT EDD requirements.
• Reviewed and assessed internal SAR/STRs, ensuring clear and well-documented external reporting decisions.
• Managed regulatory requests (FIAU and other authorities) with timely and accurate responses.
• Liaised with regulators and auditors during internal and external financial crime examinations.
• Performed ongoing AML/CFT and sanctions' screening controls' testing via gap analyses and spot checks.
• Maintained and enhanced customer and jurisdictional risk assessments.
• Led a team of six AML/KYC analysts, including two Designated Employees, ensuring adherence to procedures, controls, and efficient workload management.
• Reviewed and updated key AML/CFT frameworks, including policies, risk assessments, spot checks, KYC/CDD procedures, STR/SAR processes, and sanctions controls; presented updates to the Board and delivered targeted training.
• Developed and documented the Sanctions Risk Assessment in response to legislative updates, including the National Interest (Enabling Powers) Act.
• Developed and implemented transaction monitoring procedures and controls in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders.

Compliance Officer

• Prepared and presented quarterly reports to the Board covering AML/CFT metrics, compliance issues, and monitoring programme developments.
• Designed and implemented a Compliance Monitoring Programme.
• Ensured timely completion of regulatory filings across Risk, Operations, and Finance functions.
• Oversaw the review and updating of key policies, including Safeguarding of Clients’ Funds, Risk Management, and Outsourcing frameworks.
• Ensured adherence to MFSA FIR/03, Safeguarding of Clients’ Funds legislation, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintained and updated the Compliance Policy and Complaints Handling framework.
• Collaborated with legal counsel to align internal policies (e.g. Conflicts of Interest, Whistleblowing, Code of Conduct) with EU regulations and group standards.
• Maintained up-to-date knowledge of regulatory developments in money remittance and wire transfer through continuous professional development.

MFSA-Approved MLRO & Compliance Officer

Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO)

• Led the selection, approval, and implementation of an ID&V solution to support business operations.
• Coordinated cross-functional remediation efforts following regulatory and internal audit findings; ensured timely execution, updated AML/CFT frameworks, and delivered targeted training.
• Maintained employee training records and ensured ongoing team compliance with AML/CFT obligations.
• Served as the primary liaison with regulatory authorities and Internal Audit.
• Managed and responded to Requests for Information (RFIs) from FIAU and other authorities within required deadlines.
• Reviewed internal suspicious activity and transaction reports, documenting clear rationale for external reporting decisions.
• Approved onboarding and ongoing monitoring of high-risk clients.
• Advised internal stakeholders on AML/CFT, and regulatory compliance matters.
• Produced and presented monthly and quarterly compliance, and AML/CFT reports to senior management and the Board.
• Updated key frameworks, including AML/CFT Policy, Business Risk Assessment, and Jurisdiction Risk Assessment.
• Led, coached, and developed a team of two AML/CFT and Compliance team members.

Compliance Officer

• Acted as main point of contact for regulatory compliance matters, providing timely guidance and responses.
• Liaised with Legal Counsel to ensure regulatory developments were accurately reflected in updated procedures.
• Maintained the Document Register to ensure policies and procedures are reviewed and updated by relevant owners in line with applicable Group and regulatory requirements.
• Managed the Risk Register for the Malta entity, coordinating with risk owners to ensure periodic reviews.
• Developed and implemented the Compliance Monitoring Programme, and reported its monitoring developments during the Committees' and Board's quarterly meetings.
• Chaired the Compliance and Risk Committee.

• Assisting the Compliance Officer in developing and implementing the Compliance Monitoring Programme in practice.
• Developing and implementing second-line procedures.
• Maintaining the Risk Register for the business.
• Communicated regularly with stakeholders and risk owners.
• Provided counsel in relation to AML/CFT issues to ensure effective decision-making and collaboration among different groups.
• Keeping updated with the regulatory landscape.
• Informing BOD and senior management on changes to regulatory landscape.

• Handling and reviewing incoming merchant applications.
• Providing full CDD pack obtained during onboarding o be reviewed by the MLRO.
• Communicating with Risk Manager to assign appropriate Card Schemes MCC and risk profile.
• Communicating with MLRO in case of AML/CFT high-risk factors noted during onboarding and monitoring.
• Communicating with technical teams to ensure timely integration of new merchants.
• Conducting PEP, Sanctions, and Adverse Media screening.
• Conducting AML/CFT Periodic Reviews and monitoring website alerts
• Approving Merchant Change Requests and Settlement of funds requested.
• Updating relationship's data as per regulatory requirements.

• Conducting Periodic Reviews on existing merchants, both individual and corporate customers.
• Working closely with Account Management and Business Relation Officers to obtain necessary KYC and CDD required during ongoing monitoring of merchants.
• Conducting PEP, Adverse Media, and Sanctions' screening, and escalating to the Compliance Manager in case further investigation is required.
• Monitoring and documentation of suspicious activity flags.
• Monitoring alerts received through 'Creditsafe' and 'Webshield'.
• Communicating with Fraud department with regards to alerts on merchants' accounts.
• Working closely with Payment Service Providers and Payment Facilitators to ensure data of merchants is kept up-to-date as per internal procedures.
• Training junior members of the team.

• Approving players' withdrawal and incoming deposit requests.
• Analyzing data to monitor fraudulent and suspicious indicators.
• Monitoring high-risk clients.
• Assisting support and payments' departments.
• Ensuring company procedures are in line with new Responsible Gambling license requirements.
• Maintaining the Compliance Monitoring Programme.
• Responsible for reporting Key Events and License Variations.
• Filing monthly and quarterly regulatory returns.
• Assisting the MLRO in handling SARs and STRs.
• Assisting in compliance projects.

• Travelling to the Company's headquarters in Malaysia to both obtain training from the CS Manager, Payments and Operations teams, and provide training to junior team members on CS and KYC processes.
• Assisting players with service and products' queries.
• Performing KYC/KYB checks and monitoring transactions.
• Handling incoming complaints.
• Acting as a point person within the CS team.
• Generating team productivity reports.
• Updating Customer Support and AML manuals.
• Preparation and delivery of AML training sessions.