MGA hosts focus group during Safer Gambling Week with sights on new problem gambling self-assessment tool

The Malta Gaming Authority has launched the first in a series of focus groups aimed at addressing problem gambling and its effects on Maltese communities, held as part of Safer Gambling Week. Bringing together key stakeholders such as Caritas Malta, Aġenzija Sedqa, the OASI Foundation, and the Responsible Gaming Foundation, the session explored a self-assessment tool that the Authority is currently developing, grounded in recent research and industry trends.

The self-assessment tool, which will be available both in English and in Maltese, will guide individuals through a set of questions to help them identify whether gambling is causing harm in their lives. Based on the user’s responses, the tool will provide personalized recommendations and direct them to appropriate support services.

With input from organizations experienced in supporting individuals affected by problem gambling, the tool will undergo further refinement "to maximize its effectiveness and relevance," the Authority said.

Anna Maria Vella, Clinical Chair at Aġenzija Sedqa, hailed the focus group as a 'welcomed initiative' that brought together a multidisciplinary team of experts. “Working together and not in silos is always beneficial. We learn from each other to be more effective," she said.

Louis Bellizzi, Secretary of Caritas’ Foundation for Victims of Usury, said: “The MGA is in a unique position to coordinate the national effort to help alleviate the scourge of gambling addictions.”

The MGA’s commitment to player protection

"Safer Gambling Week serves as an annual reminder of the shared responsibility of ensuring a safe gambling environment," the MGA stated. In recent years, the Authority has taken significant steps to promote safer gambling practices, ranging from regular supervisory reviews on responsible gambling to enforcing stricter regulations.

Moreover, the MGA highlighted that it closely monitors operators’ implementation of behavioral monitoring systems, self-exclusion systems, and responsible marketing practices.

With a focus on high-risk areas, the Authority also said that it is "refining its supervisory approach to be more dynamic and data-driven, ensuring responsible gambling practices are maintained and continuously improved to protect players effectively."

"The MGA’s efforts align closely with the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA)’s initiative to establish a unified European standard for identifying markers of harm," the Authority stated, adding that it is actively engaged in this initiative, working closely with fellow regulators and industry experts to create a comprehensive standard aimed at early identification of behaviors indicative of problem gambling.