Malta Gaming Authority and FIAU host Money Laundering Reporting Officer in the Gaming Sector conference

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), with the participation of the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU), hosted a conference on Wednesday titled "The Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) in The Gaming Sector". As reported by the regulatory body, the objective of this conference was to "further engage with the industry and provide guidance to prospective MLROs by elaborating on the authorization process and eligibility criteria to hold this function."

"Today is a testament to the MGA’s & FIAU’s commitment to an environment of dialogue & partnership" - Antonio Abdilla Zerafa – Head Financial Crime Compliance at today’s MLRO Conference organised by the MGA with the participation of FIAU

More info: https://t.co/yAZVsZ6ku9 pic.twitter.com/KK4DjnB9jW

— MaltaGamingAuthority (@MaltaGamingAuth) June 15, 2022

The conference featured 4 presentations. In the first one, James Baldacchino, Head of Legal and Enforcement at the MGA, provided an overview of the legislative instrument which governs the Key AML and the MLRO functions from a gaming perspective.

Christabel Calleja, Head of Authorisations at the MGA gave an outline of the key functions, especially the key AML function. She also delved deeper into the application process.

The MGA and FIAU tackled questions raised by the audience about the MLRO interviewing process as well as common issues they face. #MLROconference #MGA pic.twitter.com/xONvzfPzGF

— MaltaGamingAuthority (@MaltaGamingAuth) June 15, 2022

Subsequently, Rachel Bezzina, Senior Executive within the Anti-Money Laundering function at the Malta Gaming Authority, explained in detail the MLRO interview that is held by the AML unit within the MGA for prospective MLRO applicants.

Luke Baldacchino – Financial Intelligence Analyst, discussed some common issues faced by gaming companies when submitting a report through the GOAML platform.

Luke Baldacchino, Senior Intelligence Analyst with the FIAU, discussed some of the most common issues gaming companies find when submitting Suspicious Transaction Reports. #MLROconference #MGA pic.twitter.com/7gHAgIfD2A

— MaltaGamingAuthority (@MaltaGamingAuth) June 15, 2022

The event’s last session included a panel where the audience had the opportunity to ask questions that are pertinent to the MLRO function and the hurdles that operators face in this regard.

Antonio Abdilla Zerafa, Head of the Financial Crime Compliance within the MGA, commented: "This conference was another opportunity to meet subject persons and discuss key components that are innate with the appropriate implementation of their AML/CFT obligations. It also bore testament to the MGA’s and FIAU’s commitment to communicate with key stakeholders and ensure an environment of dialogue, cooperation, and partnership.”

As stated by the MGA, existing MLROs benefited from this conference by learning more about best practices when submitting STRs.