Malta Gaming Authority Appoints New Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Governors of the Malta Gaming Authority has appointed Dr Carl Brincat as Chief Executive Officer of the MGA with immediate effect, in terms of article 6(2)(a) of the Gaming Act (Cap. 583 of the Laws of Malta). Malta Gaming Authority 🥇 (2021) Malta is a European country that continues to be one of the most popular destinations for online casinos to obtain gaming licenses. 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.

Malta is a member of the British Commonwealth and an independent. It’s also a member state of the European Union (EU). It was the first within the EU to introduce regulation of online gambling.

Currently it’s one of the largest online gambling jurisdictions and a popular location for gambling sites to seek licensing.

A notable benefit of being licensed in Malta is that the jurisdiction is on the “white-list” issued by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. This means operators with a Maltese gaming license are able to advertise their services to UK residents. Other benefits include competitive licensing fees and appealing tax rates.

We have provided more information below about the gambling jurisdiction of Malta.

Apollo Mga Forms

Gambling Legislation in Malta

When Malta began licensing online gambling sites, it did so under the Public Lotto Ordinance. The legislation was subsequently overhauled and regulation is now in accordance with the Lotteries and Other Games Act of 2001.

An addition to this act in 2004, they created the Remote Gaming Regulations. Under the terms of this legislation there are four licenses that operators can apply for. These are as follows.

  • Class 1, covering casino-type games, skill games, and online lotteries.
  • Class 2, covering fixed odds betting, pool betting, and spread betting.
  • Class 3, covering peer to peer gaming and betting exchanges.
  • Class 4, which is for software vendors.

Operators may apply for multiple licenses, which are issued for five years at a time. There are a number of requirements and conditions that must be met before a license is awarded.

Malta

For the most part, these relate to the proper operation of interactive games, the protection of players, and the prevention of money laundering. One specific requirement is that a significant part of operations must be physically located in Malta.

Malta Gambling Authority Contact

Authority

Once awarded a license, licensees have to adhere to a number of additional conditions. Among other things, they have to maintain proper financial records, have data protection procedures, and have policies covering responsible gambling.

Malta Gambling Authority

Licenses can be revoked at any time and certain actions by licensees require written approval.

Gaming Companies Malta

The Lotteries & Gaming Authority (LGA) is the organization responsible for regulating all gambling activity in Malta, including the issuing of licenses to online gambling operators.

The LGA carries out a thorough investigation before awarding such licenses. There are currently over 500 gambling sites that are licensed by the organization.

While the LGA is considered stringent in its licensing activities, it has come under criticism for not being active enough in relation to customer complaints. Any customer of an LGA licensed gambling site may submit complaints directly to the LGA, but the organization doesn’t have a great reputation for taking much interest.

In the future, people hope that the licensing authority will improve in this area.

Malta Remote Gaming Council

The Malta Remote Gaming Council (MRGC) was launched in 2005, and is made up of stakeholders from all parts of the online gambling industry. It was initiated by the LGA with the main objective being to provide a forum for the discussion of industry developments.

By receiving feedback on such developments, the LGA is able to stay informed about what is happening in the industry.

Malta Gambling Authority Jamaica

Carl is a lawyer by profession and previously held the role of Chief Legal & Enforcement Officer within the MGA. Following three years of training in the field of criminal law, he joined the MGA’s legal team and has been a part of it for over six years, forming part of the strategic direction of the Authority and its high-level regulatory Committees for the past four.
He sits on the Board of the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit, and is a member of the Chamber of Advocates (Malta), the International Masters of Gaming law (IMGL), and the International Association of Gambling Regulators (IAGR), and has also been a regular speaker in local and international conferences relating to gaming and international regulatory issues.

Mga Malta

“It is an honour to be selected to lead the organisation at such a critical juncture for the MGA and the industry alike. I am proud of the work that has been done by the Authority so far in raising regulatory standards and committed to ensuring that we continue along this path,” said Carl Brincat.
“However, it is essential that we cultivate stronger partnerships with other regulators and stakeholders, and the industry itself, to achieve a regulatory environment that accomplishes the MGA’s objectives as set out in the law in the most effective, transparent, and proportionate manner,” Brincat concluded.
Source: GMB