MGA exploring expanding integrity role amid rise of prediction markets 

Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) CEO Charles Mizzi said safeguarding betting integrity remains a core regulatory priority, as the authority examines how its role could evolve alongside the growth of prediction markets.

Mr Dalli made these comments at the recent NEXT.io igGaming conference, during a session dedicated specifically to prediction markets. 

He said the MGA will intervene where any offerings conflict with Malta's public policy framework, as it has done previously in relation to betting markets linked to animal cruelty.

“Integrity remains a core regulatory priority. The MGA's Sports Betting Integrity team continues to work with operators and international stakeholders to safeguard markets from manipulation and abuse,” he said. 

And as products and business models evolve, the MGA is exploring how its integrity function may be expanded to address betting integrity more broadly.

“The MGA's overarching objective is to support responsible innovation while maintaining an appropriate balance between opportunity, player protection, integrity and public trust,” he said. 

Some gaming operators have raised concerns that prediction markets are opening new opportunities for unregulated insider trading. 

Christopher Dalli, CEO of Malta-based online gaming operator L&L Europe, recently warned that consumers are essentially betting against the house without being told they are.

“It’s not peer-to-peer, but we’re telling them it is. That kind of misleading information isn’t acceptable,” he said. 

Mr Mizzi confirmed that prediction markets are attracting increasing interest from both existing MGA licensees and prospective market entrants.

However, he stressed that the underlying concept of such markets isn’t new, and many of these products share characteristics with offerings that have long existed within regulated markets.

With Malta actively exploring a legal framework that would provide more regulatory clarity to online prediction markets, the MGA head stressed they are already subject to some regulatory oversight.

“The MGA's regulatory framework is both game and technology-neutral, focusing on the activity, associated risks and outcomes rather than the specific technology or game mechanics used,” he said.