Malta Warns Betting Companies Ahead of Youth Olympics

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has called on licensed companies to step up monitoring of betting activity ahead of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, which begin on 31 October. In a notice dated 28 October, it stressed that failure to comply with sports integrity obligations could lead to sanctions against licence holders. The Games run until 13 November.

The warning covers not only betting operators but also firms that provide critical services to the sector. Suspicious betting activity must be reported through the Suspicious Betting Reporting Mechanism within three days at the latest. However, the regulator wants companies to act immediately once there are sufficient grounds for suspicion, and it explicitly stated that it does not view the three-day period as a grace period.

The regulator also expects companies to appoint a Sports Integrity Communication Point and to cooperate continuously with this unit. It was reminded that advertising activities, including those of marketing partners, must comply with Malta's commercial communication rules. It was again emphasised that advertisements must not target minors or vulnerable persons, either directly or indirectly.