The 2021 report from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has been released. The MGA generally took fewer regulatory actions, such as issuing fewer warnings and suspending or revoking fewer licenses. In big extent, this continues a pattern that began in 2019. Five of the seven licenses that were cancelled between then and last year were for online gaming, cutting the number of cancellations in half. In contrast, the MGA suspended zero licenses in 2021, compared to three in 2020 and eleven in 2019.
Malta: Focusing on Licensing Priorities
Additionally, 64 warnings were given last year, a somewhat lower number than the 70 issued in 2020. Nonetheless, compared to 2019's 20, this represents a significant increase, and there were more administrative charges as well. The MGA imposed 31 administrative penalties during 2021, an increase from 24 in 2019 and 28 in 2020. However, compared to levels prior to the pandemic, neither 2021 nor the year before saw nearly as many inspections.
Carl Brincat, Chief Executive of the MGA, commented on the future, saying: "It is a priority for us to move toward leaner and more efficient processes, to remove unnecessary bureaucracy that burdens the industry without adding value and to become more effective in achieving our regulatory priorities."