Malta softens rules for foreign-licensed operators

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has reworked its plans to strengthen supervision of gaming operators active under foreign licences. Following feedback from the industry, the regulator made improvements aimed at keeping its approach proportionate, risk-based and workable.

The regulator reviewed the responses to its targeted consultation on the Recognition Notice framework and prepared a feedback report. Stakeholders raised concerns about overlap with foreign regulatory requirements and the commercial sensitivity of some information. Accordingly, the MGA will request ultimate beneficial owner information instead of a full corporate structure chart. Some obligations will also apply differently to B2B and B2C operators.

A Recognition Notice is an MGA certificate that recognises authorisations issued by EU or EEA member states and other jurisdictions that Malta considers to provide largely equivalent safeguards. Certificates are valid for one year and require an annual maintenance review. Confirmations requested in legal opinions will be defined instead of following a standard template. Some information may be requested as categories, ranges or thresholds rather than exact figures.

It was stated that the first information collection will cover B2C notification holders for the 2025 reporting period. The regulator acknowledged that some new requirements may require changes to the existing framework. Details of implementation are to be shared at a later stage.