Malta jurisdiction second-best regulated gambling market globally – Survey

Malta's gambling market is second only to the UK's in terms of its regulatory landscape, fiscal outlook, and integrity, according to a new survey commissioned by the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and H2 Gambling Capital.

The survey, titled "An Optimum Betting Market: A Regulatory, Fiscal & Integrity Assessment", gave Malta's jurisdiction a score of 88 out of 100, a whisker short of the UK's score of 91.

Ranked in five categories, Malta's gambling market scored full marks in terms of product availability. It only dropped one point in terms of taxation, with the survey citing Malta's 6/7ths trading income tax reduction as notable. It also cited that player winnings are tax-exempt assuming it is not professional income.

Its regulatory market scored 25/30, making it one of the best markets in this category. The jurisdiction dropped points in terms of its integrity and its advertising – scoring 12/15 marks in both.

Described as a "first-of-its-kind" study, the survey was conducted using data from major regulated betting operators, representing almost half of all commercial online betting globally.

The study predicted that global betting turnover will reach $767 billion (€631 billion) by 2025, with revenue exceeding $106 billion (€87.17 billion).

Additionally, the survey found that online betting overtook land-based betting in 2020 for the first time and predicted that this trend would persist.

David Henwood, Director of H2, commented on the survey, saying: "Our assessment of the various regulatory models in operation around the world has determined the key factors that are most likely to generate a successful well-regulated betting market: unlimited licensing, competitive GGR tax, wide product offering, integrity provisions and balanced advertising parameters".

"The report's findings are therefore unique and illuminating", he added.

On the part of the IBIA, CEO Khaled Ali said: "IBIA hopes that these evidence-based findings will assist the important ongoing global betting and integrity debate".