Located at the southern region of Italy, Malta Gaming Authority abbreviated as MGA is the main Authority in charge of regulating any gaming activities in this part of the Europe. The Authority was originally known as Malta Lottery Gaming Authority but it later changed its name to Malta Gaming Authority around the end of the year 2014and early 2015. Malta, an island in the Mediterranean, hosts a high number of online gaming operators.

MGA oversees all the gaming activities and any other relevant operations in the industry in Malta with slightly over 100 companies having being licensed by the Authority. Companies that have been licensed include those that provide gaming software, online casinos and remote gaming. The Authority has a website where all players can complain about operators as well as a platform for gaming support. MGA also has a list of rights and obligations for the players listed in the Player’s charter.

Goals of the MGA

The board of governors of The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has officially appointed Dr Carl Brincat as the new chief executive officer following Heathcliff Farrugia's recent resignation.Having held the role of Chief Legal & Enforcement Officer within the MGA and being a part of the MGA&. Malta Gaming Authority. Malta is an island state situated in the Mediterranean sea, just south of Sicily. As one of the EU’s smallest countries, it has established itself as a hub for gambling and financial services within Europe. Since 2001, the online gambling sector in Malta has grown rapidly and now generates over 12% of the country’s GDP.

MGA has a list of goals that they work tirelessly to achieve. These goals also entail the possible advantages that both players and operators may experience once they have applied for licensing from the Authority. The goals include:

• To support the gaming industry alongside any innovation in technology that may come up
• To offer protection to the minority or vulnerable people in the gaming industry
• To ensure the rights of the players are not neglected
• To vouch for responsible gaming habits in an environment that is free of danger
• To check that any games played and all the devices used in the game are of high integrity
• To guarantee players of security- no hindrances from criminal activities
• To oversee that any functions entertaining regulatory of the gaming activities are adhered to
• To avail any data and information required
• To facilitate any licensing procedures

Roles and responsibilities of MGA

MGA’S role is defined clearly by the “Lotteries and Other Games Act” of 2001. Therefore, MGA’s role is to regulate all the sectors of the gaming industry that fall under its umbrella. MGA is supposed to do this by ensuring that the gaming process is fair and transparent to all parties. MGA is supposed to prevent any crimes, incidences of bribery or corruption and cases of money laundering. Above all, MGA is supposed to protect amateur players as well as vulnerable players. Malta Gaming Authority has over the years tried to fully cover any legal natters of the operator. MGA has done this by offering full and complete comprehensiveness of the legislation responsible for gaming. Based on this reasons, it is no wonder that MGA is one of the best regulator of gaming currently. MGA offers a highly secure as well as professional gaming environment backed by efficient technical systems. All the above features contribute to a topnotch service for any bookmaker.

What does the MGA do?

As mentioned earlier in the goals of the MGA, the Authority is involved in a myriad of activities. Some of the activities include conducting any research needed on the various angles of the gaming industry. The Authority is the key licensing body for any activities related to gaming or simply put; it issues licenses that entail gaming. Once the Authority has issued the gaming license, it has a mandate to ensure that it monitors all the activities carried out by the licensed firm or company. Another mandate for the Authority issued by the Government of Malta is that MGA should collect all the taxes under the gaming industry at predefined periods. MGA has a responsibility to support and take part in any social responsibilities that are good for the gaming industry as well as the players.

Types of Licenses issued by the MGA

There are four types of licenses issued by the MGA which we shall discuss in details below:

Downloads The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has downloadable documents that are associated with the gaming sector in Malta. The list includes; Application Forms, Guidance Notes, Public Notices, Regulatory Policies, Fact Sheets and Links. Rising star mobile casino game developer certified for launch with operators licensed by the prestigious regulatory body Betixon, the developer of mobile-first online slot games, has been awarded a B2B Recognition Notice by the prestigious Malta Gaming Authority allowing the developer to integrate its full suite of games with Malta-licensed operators. The Malta Gaming Authority is a not-for-profit organisation and is responsible for issuing gambling licences to online companies that meet its strict standards. While some countries, including the UK, have their own version of gambling licences, many other countries rely on the high level of regulation provided by the Malta Gaming Authority in order to protect their own citizens.

• Class 1- The class 1 gaming license is a remote gaming license that covers games such as online lottery, casino type as well as skilled gaming. The class is specifically for gaming operators that are responsible for games that involve risk. The companies issued with this license are those which provide games that are generated from random numbers.
• Class 2- this license is issued to operators that run risk-based games that are in line with a matchbook. It is also a remote betting license however, it is specific for fixed betting odds, pool bets and spread bets. Simply put this is a license for any form of Sports Betting.
• Class 3- this license is issued to operators receiving any form of commission by both promotions and from the betting games. The license promotes remote games in and out of Malta including networks such as Peer to Peer and poker as well as the game’s portals. The license is also referred to as P2P that is Player to Player.
• Class 4- software vendors are issued with this license. The license enables the operator to host and control remote operators for the gaming without including the issuer of the license. The technology providers for the gaming platforms are the ones who are issued with this License.

How does MGA ensure it meets its mandate?

To ensure that wishes and interests of both players and the operators in the gaming industry in Malta are met, the Authority capitalizes on certain specific areas. This is the case for any Authority that is in charge of issuing Licenses for Gaming activities. MGA has purposed to ensure that a high level of conducts and standards is maintained and in line with this, they have penned down a Code of Ethics which include:

• Honesty- the Authority tirelessly to ensure that no form of deception occurs in the gaming environment.
• Fairness- no undeserving favor or any form of interest to one’s self is displayed.
• Respect- the Authority ensures that the gaming environment is full of courtesy as well as trust while discouraging any form of negative talk that may not be pleasant to the person’s involved.
• Responsibility- any information and interest of the key stakeholders is kept safely and is not disclosed to any undeserving parties.
• Competence- knowledge and skill is one of the key mandates of all the employees of the Authority to ensure that they deliver quality service.

The Bottom-line

With a long list of advantages emerging from the Licensing by the MGA, it is a steadfast Authority in which both players and operators can put their faith in. The Code of Ethics also ensures that no side is oppressed that is both the player and the operator enjoy a slice of what the Authority has to offer. The gaming operator can choose from any of the four classes of Licenses MGA has to offer.

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) (formerly the Lotteries and Gaming Authority) (LGA) is the gaming control board of Malta. It regulates most forms of gambling in its territory, including both land-based (casino, amusement and slot machines, betting offices, fantasy sports, and lotteries) and online gambling services including B2C and B2B services.

History[edit]

The MGA was established in 2001 to regulate the various sectors of the gaming industry that fall under the MGA's authority, by ensuring fairness transparency to players using gaming services, preventing crime, corruption and money laundering and to protect minor and vulnerable players.^[1]

The MGA was one of the first regulators to offer legislation that regulates the activity of online gambling companies and create a secure atmosphere for players. A comprehensive set of legislation, regulations and directives regulate the industry, starting with Lotteries and Other Games Act, 2001, and Chapters 438 and 400 of the Laws of Malta.^[2]

The online gambling sector in Malta has grown tremendously since 2001, with the industry generating over 12% of the country's GDP.^[3][4]

Functions[edit]

The MGA deals with:

• Protection of minors and vulnerable persons, while promoting responsible gaming in a safe environment.
• Licensing and regulation of the gaming operators.
• Guidance and cooperation at all stages of the application process.
• Protection of player funds, ensuring that all deposits and withdrawals are secure and enforceable.^[5]
• Ensure the integrity of games and gaming devices, via audits and independent testing facilities to ensure the randomness of results of all games of chance.
• Monitoring of licensee activities to ensure compliance.
• Safeguarding of player rights, via investigation of complaints concerning the licensees on behalf of the players.
• Monitoring of activities to keep gaming free from criminal activities.

The MGA cannot enforce any operator to return stakes that have been voluntary placed and lost in a fair game, but it can provide advice and assistance in enforcing the deposited money and the actual winnings and aids in dispute resolution with players and its licencees when necessary.

In addition, the new gambling law in Malta introduces 'a duty of care for operators'. The MGA license holders are expected to monitor players' gambling habits, look for signs of problematic behaviour and intervene when necessary.^[6]

The MGA licences several well-known online gambling companies. The list of current MGA licence holders is provided at the 'MGA Licensee Register'..

Structure[edit]

The MGA is composed of the following main entities:

• Non-Executive Board of Directors, primarily responsible for overseeing the strategic development of the Authority and ensuring that the set policy and strategic objectives are achieved. The Board is also responsible for policy development and overall risk management. Headed by an independent Chairman who may or may not be the CEO of the MGA.
• CEO, who is responsible for the overall execution and performance of the MGA functions.
• Executive Management Committee, who are delegated tasks by the CEO and are responsible for major functions of the MGA.
• Audit Committee, assisting the Board of Directors in ensuring good corporate governance, risk management, oversight of audit/accounting issues and internal controls, while overseeing the accounting and reporting processes and audits.
• Supervisory Council, which supervises and reviews the regulatory objectives of the MGA, and is responsible for ensuring the integrity, consistency and development of the regulatory functions of the MGA, while providing oversight and guidance in relation to ongoing regulatory issues, strategic regulation and act as an advisory committee to the Authority’s Board and management.
• Fit and Proper Committee, which assesses and determines whether applicants for an MGA Licence are fit and proper persons, especially from a criminal probity aspect, to be granted a gaming licence and be authorised to conduct gaming business activities.

References[edit]

1. ^Interview: CEO of The Malta Gaming Authority, Casino.org (2019)
2. ^MGA Gaming Sector Legislation and Regulations
3. ^Stradbrooke, Steven. 'Malta gambling biz represents over 12% of national economy'. Calvin Ayre. Retrieved 22 Nov 2017.
4. ^Mifsud, Russell. 'Heightened demand for talent in Malta's booming Gaming industry'. KPMG. Retrieved 29 Oct 2017.
5. ^'Everything You Should Know About The Gambling Legislation'. March 2020.
6. ^Halonen, Toni (February 2019). 'Interview of Heathcliff Farrugia, CEO of Malta Gaming Authority'.

Malta Betting Authority