MGA Publishes Annual Report, Highlights Regulatory Achievements

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has published its Annual Report and audited Financial Statements for the year ended December 2024, providing an overview of Malta’s gaming sector. The report also highlighted the MGA’s activities over the year and provided a medium-term outlook for the industry.

The MGA Responded to Multiple License Requests

According to the MGA’s report, the regulator received 28 new applications for new gaming licenses and issued 17 licenses. In addition to that, the company received 12 license renewal requests, 8 of which were satisfied.

The Supervisory Council reviewed 30 gaming license applications, which included both new and renewal requests. Two of these were rejected because they provided false, misleading or incomplete information. One application is still pending.

In the meantime, the MGA issued numerous permits for singular low-risk events, including 1,812 permits for non-profit tombolas, 19 permits for non-profit lottery and 84 certificates for commercial communication games.

The Regulator Ensured Gaming Entities Were Compliant

The MGA furthermore continued to oversee the market, carrying out 1,200 criminal probity screening checks on a variety of people connected to the industry. The Fit and Proper Committee made 64 decisions. In 16 cases, it was determined that the fit and proper criteria were not met.

2024 also saw the MGA conduct 13 compliance audits, as well as 116 desktop reviews. It was also tipped off about 123 Technical Information Security Incidents, which were promptly investigated.

In 2024, the MGA’s Commercial Communications Committee took 7 decisions related to possible violations of the Gaming Commercial Communications Regulations.

The MGA concluded that it issued 35 warnings, 23 administrative penalties, and three regulatory settlements. In 2024, it also suspended two licenses and canceled eight.

The Anti-Fraud Efforts Continued

The MGA remained vigilant about potential money laundering and terrorism financing violations and asked the FIAU to conduct a total of 43 AML/CFT compliance examinations. At the same time, it completed 60 examinations and issued 11 closure letters to operators that took remediation measures or had committed minor violations.

The MGA added that the FIAU imposed remediation measures on 6 companies and issued penalties amounting to EUR 185K.

In the meantime, the MGA interviewed prospective MLROs to make sure that they meet Malta’s AML/CFT standards.

The MGA said that it continued its collaboration with national international agencies and shared data to ensure that gaming remains as fraud-free as possible too.

MGA Worked to Ensure Gaming Was Safer

In terms of protecting players from the dangers of excessive gambling, the MGA said that it resolved 3,372 requests for assistance, a few of which were filed in 2023. Additionally, it received 1,897 player fund reports and carried out 27 data extractions.

In 2024, the MGA ran 40 RG checks, assessing the measures various sites had taken to shield players from harm. It furthermore issued 27 observation letters, in which it communicated certain shortcomings that needed to be rectified.

The MGA also investigated 83 cases of misleading information and issued 29 public notices regarding them.

To top it all off, the MGA conducted more than 9,000 inspections at retail gaming properties.

CEO Mizzi Praised the Progress

Charles Mizzi, the MGA’s chief executive officer, reiterated the regulator’s commitment to remaining focused and resilient. He praised the MGA’s work in 2024 and said that the MGA will continue to invest in people and systems that support effective regulation.

Mizzi said: “As the sector continues to evolve, the MGA remains committed to anticipating challenges, adapting with purpose, and upholding the standards that define Malta’s reputation as a trusted jurisdiction.”