Interactive

Malta – Malta Gaming Authority warns public not to use 18 illegal online gaming operators

By Phil - 14 October 2022

The Malta Gaming Authority said it has become aware of 18 online gaming operators who are offering their services illegally in Malta.

In a public notice posted on its website, the MGA said the entities are not licensed and are in contravention of Article 13 of the Gaming Act (Chapter 583 of the Laws of Malta).

“The MGA would like to remind consumers not to utilize services provided by an entity unless they have ascertained that the entity in question is authorized to provide such services by the MGA,” it said. “The gaming regulatory framework obliges authorized persons to comply with strict legal requirements in the interest of consumers. The activities of unlicensed entities are unregulated and do not provide the necessary safeguards delineated by virtue of the framework, making transactions with such entities risky for consumers.”

Last year, the MGA investigated 79 cases of websites having misleading references to the Authority and published a total of 61 notices on its website with the aim to prevent the public from falling victim to such scams. Furthermore, an additional 26 responsible gambling website checks were conducted, figures published in its annual report last month showed.

CEO Dr Carl Brincat said the regulator had set 2021 as the year to start laying the groundwork for improvements in its operations.

“It is a priority for us to move towards leaner and more efficient processes, to remove unnecessary bureaucracy which introduces burdens on the industry without providing added value, and to become more effective in achieving our regulatory priorities.”