MGA Report Reveals Body Issued 15 Licenses During 2023
More than a dozen new licences were issued by the Malta Gaming Authority in 2023. But its annual report shows 13 applications were either rejected or withdrawn. However, the regulator still considers its work during that period successful.
A Successful and Sustainable Year for the Regulator
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) issued 15 licences in the year 2023, it has been revealed in the regulatory body’s latest annual report.
Its information for the full year showed the MGA received 24 applications for new gaming licences. It issued 15 licences, while 13 applications were either rejected or withdrawn.
The MGA’s annual report confirmed that 49 websites had misleading references to the body. This information was not removed following notification in 23 of the instances, with the MGA publishing details of the sites to dissuade people from using them.
MGA chief executive Charles Mizzi said in a statement: “It is not a coincidence that the theme for the Annual Report is ‘sustainability’. The MGA’s ability to strike the right balance between allowing the industry to thrive and grow in a sustainable manner while also protecting consumers is key to Malta’s continued success.”
Compliance Audits
Part of the MGA’s remit is to conduct compliance audits, with the annual report for 2023 revealing the level of work carried out over the period.
The MGA confirmed that 21 compliance audits were carried out in the year, with the Commercial Communications Committee as a result, taking five decisions regarding possible breaches of the Gaming Commercial Communications Regulations (S.L. 583.09).
Furthermore, the MGA took action to cancel 11 licences in 2023, while nine other licences were suspended by the body last year.
The MGA also issued 28 warnings and handed out 19 administrative penalties in total, in addition to a single regulatory settlement, which had a total financial penalty of €172,900.
On top of the compliance audits, 125 desktop reviews were carried out by the MGA as well.
Assistance for Players
The MGA helped a total of 4,483 players who requested assistance over the year, with this figure including some cases that carried over from 2022.
There were 72 responsible gambling themed website checks carried out in the full-year period, while 41 observation letters were sent to licensees outlining responsible gambling issues.
Last year also saw the MGA publish its voluntary ESG Code of Good Practice for the Remote Gaming Sector.
“The Code seeks to serve as an instrument for self-regulation, helping remote gaming companies align with best practices and maintain a position that allows them to effectively meet the evolving expectations of key stakeholders in the sector,” it said in the annual report.
