The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has released its mid-term report for the first half of 2024, providing an in-depth look at its regulatory activities and the performance of the Maltese gaming industry.
From January to June 2024, the Gaming Authority conducted 611 criminal integrity screenings for individuals and businesses in the land-based and online gaming sectors. Of these, 29 cases were reported to the Fit and Proper Committee, which deemed 7 applicants unsuitable.
During this period, MGA also issued 8 new licenses and renewed 4.
Compliance activities included 11 audits, 49 desk reviews, and investigations into 16 technical incidents. Enforcement actions resulted in 20 warnings, 10 administrative penalties, and 8 license cancellations—totaling fines of 128,800 euros (approximately 134,000 USD), with regulatory settlements amounting to 61,522 euros.
In addition, MGA continued its commitment to player protection and responsible gambling, assisting 1,625 individuals with concerns, conducting 12 responsible gambling website checks, and investigating 10 websites for misleading information.
A total of 4,757 inspections were carried out on gambling venues such as casinos and lottery outlets to ensure compliance.
Notably, of the 15 gambling license applications reviewed, two were rejected due to submission of false or incomplete information.
Furthermore, the authority also monitored compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, completing 23 checks, with the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit imposing fines on MGA licensees nearing 185,000 euros.
In the field of sports integrity, MGA handled 162 suspicious betting reports, conducted 17 investigations in cooperation, and shared 143 alerts with stakeholders.
Internationally, it processed 35 cooperation requests and issued 28 certificates of good regulatory standing to licensed operators.
MGA will release a comprehensive industry performance report covering the entire year in the second half of 2025, further analyzing trends and developments.
