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What Is Malta Gaming Authority & Why It Matters

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Author:
Brian Smithson

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Last update: 22 Nov 2024, 08:12

What Is Malta Gaming Authority & Why It Matters

Malta is the promised land for online casino enthusiasts, becoming the first EU member to regulate online gambling and moving things in the right direction as early as the 2000s. 

Much of it has to do with the proactive efforts of the Malta Gaming Authority, the country’s top regulatory body that oversees all gambling on Malta, including online casinos and sports betting. 

The MGA serves as a benchmark for how the gaming industry should be managed, mostly thanks to its policy of taking player complaints directly and its strict vetting of licenses. To quote from onlinecasinos.mt, “applicants undergo extensive checks, which gives players a reason to trust the regulator”.

What Is the Malta Gaming Authority?

Malta Gambling Authority, or MGA for short, is one of the most respected iGaming regulatory bodies in the world. It is tasked with issuing licenses, monitoring provider compliance, improving the player experience, and ensuring a fair gambling environment in Malta. Online casinos operating under MGA’s umbrella are often considered the most trustworthy operators. 

Established in 2001, MGA was the pioneer among EU member states. Prior to MGA (called LGA at the time), the only entities that issued online gambling licenses came from South America. MGA raised the bar and set the standard for the online casino industry at large.

Key Responsibilities of the MGA

The MGA is a complex, government-run regulatory body with inner-workings that are easy to understand and transparent. Its security protocol and compliance methodology are regularly updated, with license criteria continually improving.

Malta Gambling Authority has several key responsibilities that haven't changed since the regulator was established. These include:

Licensing and Regulation: MGA is responsible for issuing operator licenses and performing license audits regularly;

Player Protection: The regulator has put in place a number of protective measures, safeguarding players from hackers and other forms of online scams;

Crime Prevention: As part of the MONEYVAL group, MGA ensures financial transparency and contributes to the country’s anti-money laundering (AML) efforts;

Promoting Responsible Gambling: MGA fosters responsible gaming practices through the mandatory use of self-exclusion programs and stop-loss features.

Does MGA Matter? The Players’ Perspective

MGA has earned a reputation as being one of the most attentive gaming regulators out there, lending its ear to both players and operators. It is considered lenient towards the latter, but only so long as they play by the rules.

It’s also one of the few regulators that handles players’ complaints directly and doesn’t cut corners regarding fair and responsible gaming. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect from an MGA-licenced casino: 

  • Fair Game: MGA-licensed casinos use state-of-art RNG algorithms that are regularly and randomly audited;
  • Safe Transactions: MGA casinos feature safe and speedy payment methods. They also divide player funds from operator funds, to ensure withdrawals.
  • Dispute Resolution: MGA steps in and gets involved directly in cases of major disputes. You can file a complaint in minutes through its easy reporting system.
  • Bonus Transparency: There’s no fine print in bonus conditions with MGA casinos—bonus terms must be clearly laid out.
  • Stop-Loss Feature: All MGA casinos must offer players the possibility of limiting their losses.

And that’s just scratching the surface. For instance, you can put a limit on each part of the gameplay, from a single wager all the way to a monthly cap. Another example include its unique USBD system (Unified Self-Barring Database), whereby your self-exclusion request from one MGA casino will be valid for all.

Vote MGA

The Malta Gambling Authority (MGA) is one of the cornerstones of the entire gambling industry. Its name is rightfully associated with safe and danger-free gambling, and online casinos with an MGA stamp are considered some of the most well-regulated in the world. 

Choosing an MGA casino means you choose a tried and trusted platform that faces random audits from one of the most reputable iGaming regulators worldwide.