MGA's Rachel Bezzina appointed co-chair of AML cross-regulator working group

The Malta Gaming Authority's AML Manager, Rachel Bezzina, has been appointed co-chair of a newly set-up anti-money laundering working group within the Gambling Regulators European Forum (GREF). Bezzina was chosen as co-chair alongside Christophe Vidal, who represents the French National Gambling Authority (ANJ).

GREF is a forum for European gaming regulators, serving as a meeting place and exchange of views between its members on issues relating to gaming, in particular on regulation, supervision and control of operators and the gaming industry.

Although AML regulations exist at the European Union level, implementation at the local level varies across jurisdictions. The new AML working group seeks to facilitate the exchange of information between members to prevent the exploitation of gaming businesses for money laundering and terrorist financing purposes.

AML Manager Rachel Bezzina appointed co-chair of GREF working group. Read more: https://t.co/lt86VONOoM pic.twitter.com/5OztJuHuS3

— MaltaGamingAuthority (@MaltaGamingAuth) December 6, 2023

Within this group, AML experts are set to share insights into best practices, trends and developments, and consider any necessary joint action. The AML working group marks the fifth group to be created by GREF, along with Responsible Gambling, Digital & Innovation, InfoStat, and Enforcement.

The Malta Gaming Authority has been seeking to enhance its efforts against money laundering this year, holding workshops and sessions to this end. The regulator’s AML division joined forces with the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit’s supervision unit early in the year to organize a joint workshop to further streamline the supervisory process in compliance with examinations carried out throughout Q1 2023. 

Moreover, back in July, the Authority also met with the UK Gambling Commission to discuss collaborative efforts in the fields of responsible gambling, sports betting integrity, and anti-money laundering. The regulators discussed knowledge-sharing initiatives between their respective Responsible Gambling teams during the meeting.