MGA launches consultation on proposed amendments to player protection rules

The Malta Gaming Authority has launched a closed consultation with its licensees in regards to proposed amendments to its player protection rules, the regulator announced on Friday. The changes are aimed “to strengthen and clarify the current player protection framework.”

The proposed framework is expected to support the Authority’s initiatives moving forward, and would facilitate its plans to continuously improve responsible gambling, including the eventual publication of “detailed” player protection guidelines for licensees.

“The Authority is in the process of conducting detailed research and garnering expert experience to serve as the foundation for the eventual publication of such guidelines,” Malta’s gambling regulator noted in a press release. MGA's Head of Legal Affairs Brandon Debattista discussed the proposed changes at the Safer Gambling Week in Cyprus.

The amendments proposed that are currently being subject to consultation delve into the licensees’ obligations regarding their responsible gaming policies and procedures, and the introduction of five markers of harm that must be considered when determining effective measures and processes to detect and address problem gambling, noted the Authority.

The proposed amendments to the Player Protection Directive are the product of extensive work carried out by the MGA’s RG team, particularly familiarization visits and ongoing consultations with the industry - Head of Legal Affairs Brandon Debattista at Safer Gambling Week Cyprus. pic.twitter.com/bR4ckWdoCV

— MaltaGamingAuthority (@MaltaGamingAuth) October 3, 2022

Provisions relating to real-money reinforcement and staff training have also been included in the proposed amendments, said MGA. The amendments are being proposed on the basis of a review of the key sections of the Player Protection Directive carried out “by an expert in the field,” and on the basis of the Authority’s own research and experience garnered “through the Responsible Gaming Unit’s audits and familiarization visits.”

The ongoing consultation gives the opportunity to licensees to provide their feedback, if any, regarding the proposed amendments. “The consultation period shall run until the 14th October 2022,” announced the regulator.

Last month, the Authority published its annual report, in which it unveiled that it had canceled only seven licenses and did not issue any license suspensions in 2021. These figures were down from 14 cancellations and three suspensions in 2020. Instead, the regulator focused on issuing more warnings and administrative penalties during the last year.

“It is a priority for us to move towards leaner and more efficient processes, to remove unnecessary bureaucracy which introduces burdens on the industry without providing added value, and to become more effective in achieving our regulatory priorities,” said last month Carl Brincat, MGA's CEO.