Malta Gaming Authority extends consultation period on Voluntary ESG Code of Good Practice

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has announced that it is extending the consultation period on the Voluntary ESG Code of Good Practice first published on 4th July.

The period will no longer end on Tuesday 8th August, but is being extended to Tuesday 22nd August 2023.

“This extension will allow all stakeholders additional time to thoroughly review the Code and provide feedback,” the MGA said in a statement.

In 2022, the MGA embarked upon a journey – underpinned by the authority’s objective of promoting a sustainable gaming sector that safeguards players’ rights – to explore the development of such a code, with the aim of guiding and preparing licensees for upcoming ESG legislation (particularly the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive), and of helping them reap the benefits of running a sustainably-conscious operation.

It noted that “the ESG code seeks to serve as an instrument for self-regulation, helping remote gaming companies align with best practices and maintain a position that allows them to effectively meet the evolving expectations of key stakeholders in the sector.”

The draft ESG code is the result of a six-month journey, consisting of three extensive stages: the peer review and research phase, materiality assessment, and stakeholder interviews. The pre-consultation activities established a solid foundation for subsequent consultations, “ensuring that the code is well-informed and reflective of the industry’s ESG priorities and stakeholder expectations”.

While the proposed code applies to remote gaming companies, the authority is exploring the possibility of extending it to the land-based sector in Malta, with a view to including such entities within scope in the future, and with ESG disclosures being adapted as required.

Kindly contact the Authority on policy.mga@mga.org.mt with any queries or feedback regarding the consultation.