MGA Introduces 2025 Strategy for Improved Regulatory Oversight

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has set forth a comprehensive strategy designed to strengthen its regulatory oversight by 2025. This initiative refines the Authority's supervisory engagement with the gaming industry, focusing on key risks that impact both operators and consumers. The approach leverages a more evidence-driven and outcomes-focused model, evolving from its existing risk-based framework. The primary goals include bolstering industry compliance, enhancing player protection, and maintaining the integrity of sports betting markets.

Proactive Risk Management and Collaboration

The MGA's revised strategy emphasizes a proactive stance on risk management, ensuring that supervisory efforts are data-driven and concentrated on high-risk areas. This revision seeks to utilize resources efficiently, favoring effective regulatory interventions and better compliance across the industry. Core to these enhancements is the MGA's aim to foster collaboration with operators through transparent communication, whereby licensees are encouraged to be active participants in adhering to regulations. This collaborative effort is augmented by increased outreach that includes publications and detailed compliance guidance.

Focal Areas for 2025

The MGA's strategy prioritizes three key regulatory areas for 2025:

1. Compliance Audits and Governance Assurance - External compliance audits remain essential for assessing operators’ regulatory adherence. Governance assurance reviews will evaluate the functions of licensed entities to ensure robust internal controls.

2. Player Protection Measures - Enhanced oversight of self-exclusion mechanisms and responsible gaming detection systems will be prioritized. Thematic reviews will be conducted to ascertain the efficacy of operators' self-exclusion policies and their capacity to identify at-risk players.

3. Sports Betting Integrity - Scrutiny of betting patterns within local football markets is a crucial aspect of the 2025 plan. Moreover, the MGA will monitor licensees' suspicious betting reporting mechanisms to foster collaborative efforts that ensure transparency and compliance with reporting obligations. These measures will be supported by full-scope inspections, supervisory meetings, thematic reviews, and tools like mystery shopping to ensure adherence to regulatory standards.

Additionally, operators are expected to submit timely and precise documentation to the MGA, underscoring the importance of robust internal compliance frameworks. Licensees are also encouraged to view regulatory oversight as an opportunity to implement best practices within their operations.

Source: MGA Strengthens Regulatory Oversight With 2025 Supervisory Strategy, lcb.org, February 25, 2025.

By GamesAndCasino