The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has published its interim performance report for the period between January to June 2018. The report reviews the performance of the MGA, highlighting major projects undertaken and key achievements throughout the same period. It also looks at the gaming industry from an economic perspective, the value added, employment, number of licensed operators, together with developments in demand trends and in the supply capabilities of operators. The report includes a section highlighting the key performance indicators for the first half of 2018 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 MGA proceeded with the overhaul of the regulatory framework which will streamline, consolidate and future-proof all gaming sectors under one legislative umbrella.
- In exploring the practical challenges of the implementation of the 4th Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Directive to the gaming industry, the Authority has performed an extensive industry outreach. In addition, the MGA has also started conducting its first AML inspections on licensed entities.
- The MGA has undertaken a number of enforcement actions namely the issuance of 45 administrative fines. In addition, following various regulatory breaches the Authority took enforcement actions against six licensees by suspending one licence and cancelling another five.
- During this reporting period, the MGA’s Fit & Proper Committee refused 35 individuals, of which 10 at on-boarding and 25 through ongoing monitoring. Furthermore, the Committee issued 30 conditional verdicts whereby further information and/or documentation was required to proceed with the final decision. A total of 1,003 criminal probity screenings were conducted in the first six months of 2018.
- Between January and June 2018, a total of 83 system audits were conducted, as well as 27 compliance audits, and 1,200 player liability assessments.
- The MGA has renewed its commitment to the protection of players who required the Authority’s intervention in disputes with operators. Between January and June 2018, the Authority received 1,831 complaints and resolved a total of 1,794.
- The Authority has published a guidance document on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This regulation is aimed at harmonizing data protection regulation across Europe, to protect and empower all EU citizens’ data privacy and to reshape the way organisations across the region approach data privacy.
- The MGA continued to engage in discussions at international fora to safeguard the interests of the gaming industry in Malta.
- The number of companies licensed in the Maltese jurisdiction stood at 300 in June 2018.
- By June 2018, the gaming industry was directly generating more than 6,800 full-time equivalent jobs.
The MGA will publish a full year industry performance report in June 2019 when it publishes its Annual Report for the financial year ending 31 December 2018.
The 2018 Interim Performance Report may be accessed here.