Consultations
In line with the Malta Gaming Authority’s (the ‘Authority’) commitment to fostering an open and transparent decision-making process, the Authority periodically issues consultations to gather input and feedback from stakeholders regarding proposed initiatives. These consultations serve as an opportunity for the gaming industry and other wider interest groups to actively participate by providing constructive engagement to the consultation documents.
The Authority strongly encourages all stakeholders to express their views and provide their feedback on any ongoing consultations. Through meaningful stakeholder engagement, the Authority aims to uphold the highest standards of governance and policy development and formulation, ensuring that the needs and concerns of the gaming industry are effectively addressed and weighed against the regulatory priorities, to ensure holistic decision-making processes.
Ongoing Consultations
The Malta Gaming Authority has launched a targeted consultation with relevant stakeholders to gather input and feedback on proposed amendments to the financial requirements under the Gaming Authorisations and Compliance Directive (Directive 3 of 2018).
The proposed modifications aim to strengthen the MGA’s risk-based approach to regulating the financial aspects of licensees, addressing challenges encountered by the industry while further enhancing the Authority’s efficiency and regulatory effectiveness.
Stakeholders are invited to submit feedback on the proposed amendments during the consultation period, which remains open until 25 April 2025. For any queries or feedback, please contact the MGA at [email protected].
There are currently no ongoing consultations to show.
Targeted Consultations
The Malta Gaming Authority launched a targeted consultation with its licensees to gather their input and feedback on a draft voluntary Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Code of Good Practice. The consultation served as an opportunity for licensees to actively participate and further contribute towards the development of this code.
In 2023, the Malta Gaming Authority issued a public consultation regarding the proposed Authorised Application Managers Regulations and the Authorised Application Managers Regulations Policy Document. Together, the latter will serve as a framework to regulate third-party service providers that are currently assisting authorised persons and prospective authorised persons with the submission of applications.
In line with the Authority’s commitment to an open and transparent decision-making process, the MGA issued this consultation to communicate and refine its proposal in relation to the Regulations and the Policy Document. Through this consultation, the Authority encouraged industry stakeholders to express their views and provide their feedback in relation to the Regulations and the Policy Document, so as to ensure that decisions are taken, and policies are adopted in a transparent and accountable manner.
Authorised Application Managers Regulations
Authorised Application Managers Regulations Policy Document
The pace and scale of technological advancements in the gaming industry and the sophisticated IT systems that the operators make use of require constant monitoring and upskilling from any person who wishes to provide services to the dynamic gaming sector.
In 2021, the Authority consulted with the gaming industry, service providers, as well as wider interest groups to express their views and provide their feedback in relation to the updated Guidelines, so as to ensure that decisions are taken, and policies are adopted in a transparent and accountable manner.
The MGA is continuously analysing best practices in the field of sports betting integrity. Conscious of the need to remain at the forefront in the fight against the manipulation of sports competitions, the Authority aimed to enforce section 43 of the Gaming Authorisations and Compliance Directive (Directive 3 of 2018), along with additional measures outlined in the consultation document.
The consultation aimed to gather feedback on implementing Suspicious Betting Reporting Requirements and other measures to uphold sports and sports betting integrity. Furthermore, the MGA sought input from B2B licensees on how their data could aid in detecting potential manipulation in sports competitions.
The MGA issued a consultation on the use of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and on the acceptance of Virtual Currencies through the implementation of a Sandbox Environment. The consultation aimed to gather feedback from the industry and key experts in this innovative technology, and established the sandboxed (test and learn) environment for virtual currency adoption within the remote gaming sector and further set out guiding principles for the application of DLT and its various adaptations within the industry.
In September 2015, the MGA invited interested companies from the licensed remote gaming industry in Malta to participate in its initiative to form a small Joint Working Group (JWG) with officials of the MGA in order to consider the regulatory issues surrounding outsourcing in remote gaming, and to propose a set of principles and policy on how the MGA can improve its effectiveness as a gaming regulator in this area that is yet to be addressed in gaming regulation.
The JWG met eight times and submitted a draft policy to the MGA in April 2016. The MGA endorsed the draft but sought further input from stakeholders, including other regulators and outsourcing providers. The consultation aimed to refine the policy to enhance regulatory effectiveness while supporting industry growth and maintaining core values of crime prevention and consumer protection. Interested parties were invited to provide feedback and comments on the draft policy.
The Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) and the MGA jointly published a consultation document on the application of anti-money laundering and combatting the funding of terrorism (AML/CFT) requirements for licensees operating games of chance and games of chance and skill via means of distance communication. These obligations were set to enter into force with the transposition of Directive (EU) 2015/849 into Maltese law.
The consultation document aimed to explain the main AML/CFT obligations and outline how licensees were expected to comply. It served as the basis for a more detailed sector-specific guidance document to be issued after further consultation with the remote gaming sector. The document was divided into five sections, each detailing key AML/CFT obligations.
Licensees and other interested parties were invited to submit feedback and such feedback, along with the document, formed the basis for the sector-specific guidance to be issued by the Authorities.
In 2016, the MGA, as the entity responsible for regulating gaming activity in or from Malta, was of the opinion that the rules for the advertising of gaming services needed to be updated to better reflect the sector, in terms of player behaviour, marketing techniques, technological and legal developments, and the needs of society. Thus, the Authority had on the basis of the above, drafted a new Code which intended to replace the then present rules and which is outlined in the below linked consultation document. The Authority invited the public to submit any comments and feedback in relation to the draft Code.
In 2015, Malta was in the process of a complete overhaul of its regulatory framework governing gaming. A wide range of policies were being critically reviewed aimed at, amongst other things, continuously raising standards and reinforcing the supervisory and compliance monitoring of the industry by the Malta Gaming Authority. In the process, the MGA recognised the necessity to strengthen the requirements that must be met by the person fulfilling the Key Official function. Due to the impact that such changes may have on the industry, the MGA issued a consultation to garner feedback from stakeholders in this regard.
The MGA’s objective is to consult on issues which are relevant to the industry and have a potential impact on operators. Consequently, the MGA in its evaluation of the adoption of an Enhanced Automated Reporting Platform for the gaming sector, issued a consultation to gather the relevant stakeholders’ valuable input and reach an informed decision on the way forward.
The MGA issued this consultation aimed at involving all potentially impacted stakeholders and obtain their views and perspectives on the possible impact of changes in technology and/or operational requirements for enhanced compliance reporting. By connecting with and understanding the core issues in this industry and assessing the risks affecting both players and operators alike, the MGA intends to use the knowledge to create better player protection processes, improved productivity for all stakeholders, and where necessary, more timely and effective enforcement.