The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has printed its Interim Performance Report, masking regulatory milestones and trade developments for the primary half of 2024. The report offers an in-depth evaluate of licensing exercise, compliance enforcement, and the financial contribution of the gaming sector to Malta.
Regulatory Achievements and Oversight
The MGA continued to bolster its oversight of Malta’s gaming trade via stringent regulatory actions:
- Licensing and Compliance: The MGA processed 15 license purposes, approving eight and denying two as a consequence of incomplete or inaccurate data. In addition, 4 out of seven renewal purposes had been granted, and over 600 prison probity checks had been carried out on key stakeholders.
- Fit and Proper Committee: The committee reviewed 29 circumstances, with seven purposes deemed unsuitable for licensing.
- Enforcement Actions: The Authority issued 20 warnings and 10 administrative penalties totaling €128,800. Eight licenses had been canceled, two had been suspended, and regulatory settlements amounting to €61,522 had been finalized.
- Technical Incidents: Sixteen reported technical safety points had been investigated to make sure no adversarial results on gaming operations.
Advancing Player Protection
The MGA emphasised accountable playing and participant safeguards all through the reporting interval:
- Player Assistance: The Authority supported 1,625 people, addressing varied issues, together with requests carried over from 2023.
- Player Funds Monitoring: Operators submitted 962 stories on participant funds, making certain enough reserves for liabilities.
- Responsible Gambling Checks: Twelve web site audits resulted in seven remark letters figuring out areas for enchancment.
Misleading promoting and inaccurate references to the MGA had been additionally addressed, with 10 web site circumstances investigated and 9 notices issued to tell the general public.
Industry Performance Metrics
The gaming trade continued to play a vital function in Malta’s economic system, with vital contributions in the primary six months of 2024:
- Economic Impact: The sector generated €712.6 million in gross worth added, representing 7.1% of the nationwide economic system. Including oblique results, this contribution rose to 10.7%.
- Employment: Approximately 13,860 full-time jobs had been reported, with the bulk tied to on-line gaming operations.
- Revenue Collection: Compliance contributions, levies, and license charges introduced in €41.4 million.
Collaborative Efforts and Global Partnerships
In its mission to keep up gaming integrity, the MGA collaborated with varied stakeholders regionally and internationally:
- Sports Betting Integrity: The Authority acquired 162 suspicious betting stories, sharing 143 alerts with licensees and taking part in 11 investigations. Data exchanges and inquiries with sports activities governing our bodies supported efforts to fight match-fixing.
- International Cooperation: The MGA dealt with 35 collaboration requests from overseas regulators and despatched 22 of its personal, primarily for background checks and regulatory clarifications.
Future Prospects
The MGA’s interim report displays its dedication to sustaining a well-regulated and aggressive gaming trade. As international markets evolve, Malta stays a hub for innovation and compliance, with the MGA on the forefront of supporting financial progress whereas safeguarding gamers and trade requirements.
Sources:
”MGA Issues Interim Performance Report for January to June 2024”,” mga.org.mt, December 18, 2024.
