MGA publishes annual report and financial statements

MGA publishes report on 2017 and more

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has announced the publication of its Annual Report and Financial Statements for the financial year ending on the 31st December 2017.

The annual report entails an overview of the activities and work performed over 2017 by the MGA. It primarily focuses on the finalisation of the new Gaming Act, coming into force in 2018, and on the enhancement of its compliance systems, including the implementation of the requirements of the EU 4th Anti-Money Laundering Directive.  Communications for the iGaming industry are also noted as important. 

Throughout the year, the MGA concentrated on improving its IT systems, which has been reflected in its introduction of the Licensee Relationship Management System (LRMS), a secure portal that features a one-stop shop for licensing and reporting and a new communication channel.

The Annual Report also delves into 2018 and further. The MGA will be focusing on the implementation of the new regulatory framework, the transition towards a risk-based approach to regulation, the continued implementation of onerous AML (Anti-Money Laundering)/CFT (Combating the Financing of Terrorism) obligations, and the application of the General Data Protection Regulation and its impact on operators and the MGA alike.

Heathcliff Farrugia, Chief Executive Officer of the Malta Gaming Authority, commented: “Last year was perhaps one of the most exciting years for the MGA. The ongoing efforts and relentless work of MGA officials on the various projects the Authority embarked upon was reaching its final stages, with the new regulatory framework and the 4AMLD being the most notable ones.”

“Their introduction in 2018, coupled with the investment in IT systems shall continue to elevate our regulatory standards, by strengthening our controls and empowering the Authority to adopt a risk-based approach towards enforcement and supervision.”

The key highlights from the Annual Report include:

• Over 2017, the MGA amounted to a total revenue of €66.3m in licence fees, gaming tax and other administrative fees and fines, in contrast to €62.5m in 2016. This manifests an increase of €3.7m or a 6% year-on-year increase;
• In January of the same year, the MGA launched a licensing and regulatory regime based on the Skill Games Regulations for the online skill games sector, including the creation of specific B2C and B2B licences for ‘controlled skill games’;
• In 2017, the MGA further enhanced its AML/CFT supervisory mechanisms, such as the implementation of the EU 4th Anti-Money Laundering Directive. This entailed cooperation with the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) to develop supervisory practices and procedures, sector-specific guidelines, and joint supervision;
• The direct contribution of the gaming industry to the Maltese economy was valued at €1.1 billion in 2017, with   approximately 9,800 full-time jobs created within operators directly in the sector and other associated businesses;
• It also conducted a thorough study to assess the application of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and the use of cryptocurrencies in a sandbox environment, with the objective of issuing a consultation paper and subsequently, guidelines, in 2018;
• By investing in its IT systems, the MGA introduced a New Licensee Relationship Management System accessible through a secure and dedicated web portal. This system has changed the way the MGA interacts with its existent and prospective licensees through the digitisation of regulatory and licensing processes;
• MGA’s most significant achievement was the finalisation of the new Gaming Act which was tabled in Parliament earlier this year. The new law is set to overhaul the way the Authority regulates the sector, once it comes into force in 2018.

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