The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has published its interim performance report for the period January to June 2016. The report reviews the performance of the gaming industry under the governance of MGA in terms of economic value added, employment, number of licensed operators and tax revenue together with developments in demand trends and in the supply capabilities of operators. The report includes an introductory section highlighting the key performance indicators for the first half of 2016 as well as a medium term outlook into the future followed by a detailed report explaining key statistics for land-based and remote gaming sectors. Some key indicators include:
- During the period under review, the gaming industry directly contributed 12.0% of the total economic value added generated in the Maltese economy with employment in the gaming industry rising by 31% year on year. Furthermore, Gross Value Added for the first six months of 2016 increased by 11.9% compared to Jan to Jun 2015,
- Land-based activities generated over 250 new jobs when compared to the second half of 2015 whilst new jobs in the remote gaming business increased by eight times as much,
- Tax revenues amounted to €28 million during the first half of 2016, which represented 4.6% of the total indirect tax intake of the Maltese Government,
- As at the end of June 2016, there were 250 registered remote gaming operators, holding 490 licences collectively,
- The Authority developed a regulatory framework for games of skill,
- MGA continued to work with the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) on the implementation of the new 4th Anti Money Laundering Directive set to come into force next year,
- Remote gaming regulations were amended to strengthen consumer protection and promote administrative simplification,
- MGA continued with the work on a regulatory overhaul which should strengthen and future-proof the gaming industry in Malta (to be brought into force in 2017),
- The gaming industry in Malta is expected to continue growing robustly in 2017.
The MGA will publish a full year industry performance report in May 2017 when it publishes its Annual Report for the financial year ending 31 December 2016.
The 2016 Interim Performance Report may be accessed from here.