Malta Gaming Authority updates compliance requirements including for key function roles

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has published a series of amendments to its Gaming Authorisations and Compliance Directive, relating to key function roles and responsibilities, deadlines by which key function requirements should be observed and the applicability of suspicious betting reporting requirements, amongst others.

The latter of these represents a coming into effect of the previously announced expansion of sports betting requirements to gaming suppliers.

Effective as of 20th October, all licensees offering a critical gaming supply for sports betting operations are required to notify the authority of any instances relating to suspicions about the manipulation of said sports or related event.

Other changes address which persons should shoulder responsibility in the absence of duly appointed key function holders, and the manner and form in which declarations and assurances are to be made by auditors on behalf of licensees during the submission of suspicious betting requirements.

These amendments are being published together with a Policy on the Eligibility and Ongoing Competency Criteria for Key Persons.

This policy is intended to revise and collate the existing eligibility criteria while also introducing authorisation renewal requirements related to continuous professional development for existing key persons.

Moreover, it aims to clarify the MGA’s position regarding the compatibility of key function roles with each other in light of the amendments to the Directive.

The Gaming Authorisations and Compliance Directive may be found on this link, while the Policy on the Eligibility and Ongoing Competency Criteria for Key Persons may be found here. Any queries may be forwarded to the Authority via e-mail.