Compliance Updates

The MGA Issues Interim Performance Report for January – June 2022

Published

3 years ago

January 10, 2023

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Malta Gaming Authority has released its Interim Performance Report for the period between January to June 2022. A review of the Authority’s accomplishments for the first half of 2022 is provided in the report, together with a description of the Maltese gaming industry’s performance over the same period. The latter provides a medium-term outlook towards the future, as well as an analysis outlining important statistics for the land-based and online gaming industries.

Supervisory Activities

During this period, 16 compliance audits were conducted together with 114 desktop reviews, accompanied by an additional seven AML/CFT compliance examinations that were initiated by the MGA on behalf of the FIAU. Additionally, the Authority issues a warning, cancelled a licence, as well as suspended another authorised entity, following information which emerged from compliance audits, compliance reviews and formal investigations Furthermore, the MGA issued a total of seven administrative penalties as well as two regulatory settlements, with a collective total financial penalty of €85,000.
Enforcement measures were also issued by the FIAU to an additional four licensees, ranging from written reprimands to administrative penalties, with an emphasis on remediation measures, based on the breaches identified during examinations carried out in previous years, including by the MGA. In total, these amounted to just over €386,567.
Based primarily on reducing the risk of money laundering or funding terrorism, the Fit & Proper Committee determined that four individuals and entities did not meet the Authority’s fit and properness criteria, while an additional two applications were rejected by the Supervisory Council.
A total of 626 criminal probity screening checks were undertaken on personnel, shareholders, ultimate beneficial owners, key individuals, employees, and businesses from the land-based and online gambling sectors.
In the first half of the year, 22 interviews with prospective money laundering reporting officers (MLROs) and key persons carrying out the AML/CFT function were carried out, with the aim of determining the knowledge and suitability of each candidate.
A total of six letters of breach were issued by the MGA’s Commercial Communications Committee (S.L. 583.09), out of which five operators were deemed to have violated the Commercial Communications Regulations.
In its efforts to safeguard players and promote responsible gaming, the Authority assisted a total of 2,578 players who requested assistance, covering the majority of the cases received during 2022 and the spillover from 2021.
A total of 22 cases of websites having misleading references to the Authority were investigated, while a total of 13 notices were published on the MGA’s website with the aim of preventing the public from falling victim to such scams. Furthermore, an additional 18 responsible gambling website checks were conducted, and five observation letters were issued.

National and International Cooperation

Between January and June 2022, a total of 122 alerts on suspicious betting were sent to the industry. Following correspondence of these alerts, the Suspicious Betting Reporting Mechanism received a total of 16 new suspicious betting reports.
Enforcement agencies, sports governing bodies, integrity units, and other regulatory authorities made a total of 23 requests for information, specifically in relation to the manipulation of sporting events or violations of sporting regulations. Subsequently, 10 of these requests resulted in the exchange of data. In addition, 278 allegations of suspicious betting from licensees and other interested parties were received.
The Authority participated directly in 12 separate investigations into sports rules violations or manipulation of sporting competitions during the time under review. In addition, the Authority also participated indirectly in another investigation.
The Authority sent 64 requests for international cooperation, the majority of which related to requests for background checks as part of an authorisation process. Furthermore, the Authority received a total of 36 requests for international collaboration from other regulators.
Up to the end of June 2022, a total of 84 official replies were issued, providing feedback on the regulatory good standing of our licensed operators to the relevant authorities asking for this information.
In total, during the first six months of the year, the MGA received just over 100 requests for information from other local regulating authorities and governing bodies.

The MGA will publish a full-year industry performance report during the second half of 2023, when it publishes its Annual Report for the financial year ending 31 December 2022.

Compliance Updates

Two US Senators Introduce GAME Act to Protect Youth from Targeted Gambling Advertising

Published

43 minutes ago

May 21, 2026

GamingAmericas.com

two-us-senators-introduce-game-act-to-protect-youth-from-targeted-gambling-advertising

U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced landmark legislation to combat the rapid and concerning rise in youth gambling. The Gaming Advertisement to Minors Enforcement (GAME) Act would prohibit social media companies and other advertising websites from targeting minors with sports betting through online advertising.

“The rise in sports gambling among minors, particularly among young boys, is jarring. We know targeted advertising from gambling and prediction market websites can serve as the gateway to dangerous habits that too often become crippling addictions. Our legislation takes a critical step toward addressing this problem before it worsens. Our next generation is our greatest asset, and it’s our responsibility to take the necessary steps to protect them from online dangers whenever we can—which is exactly what this bill does,” said Senator Britt.

“Sportsbooks and prediction markets are treating young people like a gold rush, flooding the internet with advertisements and promotions to hook them on gambling when they’re young. High schoolers, even middle schoolers, are now gambling on their phones as never before, losing real money and creating life-altering addiction. The GAME Act would create a nationwide ban on targeted advertising of gambling to kids, backed with the force of punishing fines,” said Senator Blumenthal.

A 2024 study found that individuals who begin gambling before the age of 18 are 50% more likely to develop a gambling problem, while 1 in 6 parents say they would not know if their child was gambling.

Senator Britt noted: “Years ago, parents could lock the door at night and assume that their children were safe. In today’s digital age, that is sadly no longer the case—dangers can enter our homes every single day through the palm of our children’s hands. Youth gambling addictions could be developing under parents’ roofs without them even knowing it, which is why it’s critical that we help parents combat this.”

Another recent study found that 45% of adolescent boys who gamble see gambling-related content online. Additionally, 59% reported that gambling-related content began appearing in their algorithms without them proactively searching for it.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would be responsible for enforcing the law, which would begin one year after enactment. Failure to comply could result in civil financial penalties and injunctive relief sought through the courts.

Under the GAME Act, repeat offenders can be referred to the Department of Justice (DOJ), which could impose financial penalties of up to $100,000 for each advertisement shown to a minor that promotes sports gambling. In cases where thousands of advertisements are shown to minors, the financial penalties could become substantial.

Senator Britt has been a leading voice in combating the rise in youth sports gambling and has led two separate bipartisan letters on the issue. In October of 2025, she led a bipartisan effort urging the DOJ to take action against illegal offshore gaming operations, which often lack strong age verification procedures to keep minors off their platform. In January of 2026, she led a bipartisan letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urging the agency to further study the alarming rise in gambling among America’s youth.

“I’m thankful to partner with Senator Blumenthal in this bipartisan effort, and I hope our colleagues will rally around this important issue so we can get this legislation to President Trump’s desk as soon as possible,” said Senator Britt.

The post Two US Senators Introduce GAME Act to Protect Youth from Targeted Gambling Advertising appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.

Compliance Updates

KSA Tightens Gambling Ad and Betting Rules Ahead of FIFA World Cup

Published

2 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

ksa-tightens-gambling-ad-and-betting-rules-ahead-of-fifa-world-cup

The Dutch Gaming Authority is intensifying its supervision of advertising and sports betting during the World Cup this summer. Prior to the World Cup, Dutch license holders were specifically reminded by letter of the applicable rules regarding advertising and betting offers.

In the letter, the KSA points out, among other things, the ban on untargeted advertising and sports sponsorship. The KSA also reminds providers that not all types of online betting are permitted in the Netherlands; for example, betting on who receives a yellow card or the first corner kick is not allowed. In the event of violations, the KSA takes immediate enforcement action.

During this period, the KSA is also extra vigilant regarding illegal providers and advertising for illegal offerings: immediate punitive action is being taken in these cases as well. Additionally, during the World Cup, attention is being paid to the risks of sports betting, particularly to raise awareness among young people.

Michel Groothuizen, Chairman of the Board of the Gaming Authority, said: “We saw at the 2022 World Cup and 2024 European Championship that gambling increased. This makes it attractive for companies to attract new players during that period. While I understand this, I strongly urge providers to remain mindful of the protection of young adults and other vulnerable groups, and to adhere to the applicable rules. If we observe that this is not happening, we will take immediate action.”

The post KSA Tightens Gambling Ad and Betting Rules Ahead of FIFA World Cup appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

AI

Isle of Man secures Royal Assent for Data Asset Foundations law

Published

22 hours ago

May 20, 2026

Wladimir P.

isle-of-man-secures-royal-assent-for-data-asset-foundations-law

The Isle of Man’s Data Asset Foundations legislation has received Royal Assent, bringing into law what the government and partners describe as the world’s first statutory framework for recognising and managing governed data assets.

With Royal Assent granted, the programme moves into implementation. Digital Isle of Man said the next phase includes developing a Data Asset Register, drafting supporting regulations, and building the operational systems needed to run the framework.

A central element is a statutory Data Asset Register intended to record, classify and oversee recognised data assets. Digital Isle of Man said consultation on the register and registrar model has already taken place and industry feedback is being used to shape regulations and operational guidance.

Tim Johnston MHK, Minister for Enterprise, said:

‘Receiving Royal Assent marks a proud and historic moment for the Isle of Man and reflects years of dedicated work to develop a concept that did not previously exist anywhere in the world and bring it fully into law.

‘As the first jurisdiction in the world to fully establish a framework of this kind, the Isle of Man is demonstrating what becomes possible when innovation, collaboration and regulatory agility come together with clear long-term ambition.’

Aga Strandskov, Head of Data Strategy at Digital Isle of Man, said:

‘Many organisations already recognise data as a major business asset but have lacked the legal certainty needed to use it with confidence. That’s exactly what this new legislation enables.

‘The focus now turns to building the wider ecosystem, operational capability and practical implementation needed to support the next phase of the programme. The Register, supporting regulations and operational infrastructure are all active workstreams already progressing at pace.

‘For businesses, this creates real commercial opportunities that have previously been difficult to support within existing legal and operational models, from governed AI training datasets and trusted cross-organisational collaboration through to new approaches around data-sharing, financing and value creation.’

John Bottega, President at EDM Association, said:

‘Globally, organisations are increasingly looking for clearer structures around how valuable data can be governed, shared and used responsibly.

‘The Isle of Man taking this step reflects a growing shift towards more mature and scalable approaches to trusted data governance that support both innovation and accountability.’

The post Isle of Man secures Royal Assent for Data Asset Foundations law appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.