Malta Gaming Authority Releases Interim Performance Report for H1 2024
Between January and June 2024, the MGA conducted 611 criminal probity screenings for individuals and businesses in both the land-based and online gaming sectors.
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has published its Interim Performance Report for the first half of 2024, highlighting key regulatory activities and the performance of the Maltese gaming industry.
Between January and June 2024, the MGA conducted 611 criminal probity screenings for individuals and businesses in both the land-based and online gaming sectors. Of these, 29 cases were escalated to the Fit and Proper Committee, which deemed seven applicants unsuitable. During this period, the Authority issued eight new licences and renewed four existing ones.
Compliance and Enforcement Activities
The MGA's compliance efforts included:
- 11 audits
- 49 desktop reviews
- Investigations into 16 technical incidents
Enforcement actions resulted in:
- 20 warnings
- 10 administrative penalties
- Eight licence cancellations
Penalties totaled €128,800 ($134,000), with regulatory settlements reaching €61,522.
Player Protection and Responsible Gambling
The MGA continued its commitment to responsible gambling by:
- Assisting 1,625 individuals with gambling-related concerns
- Conducting 12 responsible gambling website checks
- Investigating 10 websites for misleading information
A total of 4,757 inspections of gaming premises, including casinos and lottery outlets, ensured adherence to regulations.
Anti-Money Laundering and Sports Integrity
In anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing efforts, the MGA completed 23 examinations, leading to fines nearing €185,000 imposed by the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit on MGA licensees.
In the realm of sports integrity, the Authority:
- Processed 162 suspicious betting reports
- Participated in 17 investigations
- Shared 143 alerts with stakeholders
The MGA handled 35 collaboration requests and issued 28 regulatory good standing confirmations for licensed operators.
Looking ahead, the MGA plans to release a comprehensive performance report for 2024 in the second half of 2025, offering deeper insights into industry trends and developments.
