Get the lowdown on the latest Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) performance figures showing you how safe it is to gamble at its online casinos! (Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash)
For players who are members of online casinos operating under the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) framework, seeing a public report on just how active the organisation is can be a great way to assess just how seriously the Maltese licensor takes its responsibilities.
Admittedly, there is always a 6-month delay in these reports and the last time we reported on the authority’s performance was back in February 2021 – Malta Gaming Authority Revoked 7 Licenses.
We are back with the latest report published on the MGA website covering the first 6 months’ stats. The figures show compliance audits carried out, financial checks, fit and proper person due diligence audits and interviews to ensure those responsible for AML/CFT enforcement are doing their job correctly.
Other stats covered include how many applications for MGA licensing were denied, the number of players the authority helped via its player assistance support team, international collaboration with other agencies and licensing authorities, and how many requests to confirm the good standing of casinos under its authority.
Compliance Assessments Resulting in Fines, Suspensions & Cancellations
The compliance assessments are spread across two main areas. There are rules set out by the MGA to ensure online gambling establishments follow the framework’s fair play, advertising, social responsibility, and player protection rules. Tied in with this are financial regulations carried out in conjunction with Malta’s Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU).
- Compliance Audits: The MGA carried out 16 audits and 114 desktop reviews.
- AML/CFT compliance assessments: There were a total of 7 audits carried out for the FIAU.
- Criminal Record Checks: 626 checks on owners & employees working for land-based as well as online gambling companies.
- MLRO Interviews: A total of 22 money laundering reporting officers (MLROs) undertook interviews to check that those responsible for AML/CFT were proficient in spotting the signs of money laundering and suitable for their role.
- Commercial Communications Regulations (CCR): The MGA issued 6 warning letters for breach of CCR, and 5 were ultimately charged for violating the rule.
- Misleading MGA Representations: The MGA issued warning notices to 13 gambling establishments that misled people into believing the site holds an MGA licence. Companies do this to try to make their platform look legit.
As a result of these audits, the MGA took the following actions:
- Licence Warnings: There was a 1 licence warning.
- Suspensions: There was a licence suspension.
- Cancellations: The MGA cancelled 1 licence – Fantasy Sports Interactive Limited.
- Administrative Fines: 7 fines & 2 regulatory settlements totalling 85,000 EUR.
- FIAU Fines: 4 licensees paid up to 386,567 EUR in fines.
Look out for this: To make sure you are playing at reputable online casinos 100% safe in the knowledge that it has an MGA licence, check out the live casinos with MGA licensing guide here. We vetted every casino to make sure they are 100% operating with the approval of the MGA.
Licensing Refusals, Operator Assessments & Player Assistance
Naturally, being a licensing authority, one of the important duties is to process licence applications. This means approval and refusals. On top of this, helping players is another key part of the MGA’s activities via the player complaints services. Here are some of the stats from the MGA report.
- Good Standing Confirmations: 84 replies confirming the good standing of online casinos operating under the MGA licensing authority were provided.
- Helping Players: The MGA helped a total of 2,578 players who requested the MGA’s assistance with casino disputes or other assistance required.
- Licensing Application Refusals: A total of 4 applications didn’t pass the MGAs strict assessments for fit and proper characteristics. Plus, the Supervisory Council rejected a further 2 applications.
- International Collaboration: The MGA fulfilled 36 requests for information coming from other online gambling regulatory authorities. On top of this, there were 64 requests sent by the MGA to international entities requesting information about entities and individuals.
Top MGA Live Casinos
(Plus % Live Games Contribute towards Wagering)
- LeoVegas (live games 100% to wagering)
- Wild Fortune (live games 25% to wagering)
- Wheelz Casino (live games 50% to wagering)
Want to read reviews with licensing info?
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The Full MGA Report (Official): For the full news report, plus access to the PDF report covering the MGA’s January to June 2022 performance, you can head over to the Interim Performance Report found here.
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