The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has reported it cancelled 14 licences and suspended 11 during 2019.
In its annual report, the MGA also stated it issued 20 warnings, 89 notices of breach and imposed 23 administrative fines on operators.
A total of 89 applications for a gaming licence were received across 2019 and the MGA stated that 44 applications were either rejected or withdrawn while 53 licences were issued during the period.
Fifteen individuals and companies were deemed not to be up to the MGA’s probity standards by the Fit and Proper Committee, mainly on the basis of mitigating the risks of money laundering or funding of terrorism.
A total of 69 international cooperation requests were sent by the MGA during the year, predominantly as part of the criminal probity assessments, with the authority receiving 58 international co-operation requests.
At the end of December 2019, the number of companies licensed by the MGA, including both online and land-based entities, stood at 294.
Heathcliff Farrugia, CEO of the MGA, said: “Overall, 2019 was a very challenging but at the same time rewarding year for the MGA. The increased focus on compliance and enforcement which was prevalent throughout the year has yielded tangible results for the Authority.
T”his focus led to internal restructuring for the better achievement of the MGA’s objectives, and was also pivotal in the Authority’s drive towards the setting up of the Sports Integrity Unit, tasked with increasing the commitment towards the fight against the manipulation of sports competitions. In its first months, this unit has already signed important collaboration agreements with international sport bodies in order to tackle betting-related corruption and ensure the integrity of sports.
“Such collaboration, both at a local and international level was high on the agenda in 2019 and will continue being crucial in 2020, as a key determining factor in the ongoing fight against crime, corruption and money laundering.”
