Analysis MALTA - PART II
the authority branched out into its own offices and recruited new staff and began to revise the gaming regulations.
In April 2004 the Remote Gaming Regulations came into force under the Lotteries and Other Games Act making Malta the first EU member state to regulate remote gaming.
The idea behind the regulations was to remain both ‘technology neutral and game neutral’ therefore encompassing all types of games using distance communication (such as internet, digital TV, mobile phone) and any remote game that can be managed under the LGA regulations will be considered.
Since 2004 more than 600 remote gaming applications have been processed in Malta. There are currently 330 remote gaming licenses issued to some 250 operators, with some of the largest operators located here. A further 120 applications are currently in the licensing process.
In 2004 Malta joined the European Union which gave licensees the benefit of being located in and regulated by a jurisdiction which formed part of the largest single market in the world.
In 2005 the Malta Remote Gaming Council (MRGC) was formed by the LGA to act as a forum between the LGA and the operators and is made up of stakeholders in the industry. The council’s aim is to serve as an ongoing discussion forum giving feedback to the LGA
In 2007 Malta’s strong regulatory regime qualified the country for the UK’s ‘white list’ jurisdictions from which online gaming companies could advertise their services in the UK market. As a result some 20 companies moved their remote gaming operations to Malta
reMote gaMBling Remote gaming was introduced in Malta back in the year 2000 and was covered by the law The Operation of Betting Offices Regulations 2000 under the Department of Public Lotto Act. At the time these offered regulations for offshore betting offices and only betting was licensed with a 0.5 per cent tax incentive. The regulations attracted around 60 companies between 2000 and 2004 although only 42 operated successfully.
In 2002 the Department of Public Lotto Act was replaced by the Lotteries and Other Games Act but the regulations did not reflect the needs of a changing market.
Meanwhile offshore betting was hit by the
The remote gaming sector is comprised of two very distinct sections – online
casinos and sports betting. In the field of sports betting Malta has drawn
some of the major European names although it is
thought the online
casino sector offers the biggest
opportunities.
Meanwhile the Lotteries and Gaming Authority, which had been set up in 2001, had until 2004 operated from the DPL offices and employed their staff. In 2004
pro curve the industry's first curved LCD display
0% betting tax in the UK and 16 operators closed down their offices in Malta. Betting suddenly took a side step and illegal street gaming suddenly became the hot topic in Malta.
In 2003 talks began to create new regulations for the remote gaming industry and in the summer these were presented as a draft to the public. A Public Consultation was held in November which proved to be quite negative due to the response and the authority had to go back to the drawing board.
laws and legislation The remote gaming sector is comprised of two very distinct sections – online casinos and sports betting. In the field of sports betting Malta has drawn some of the major European names although it is thought the online casino sector offers the biggest opportunities.
The sector is governed under the Remote Gaming Regulations of 2004 and the regulations divide the area into four classes and include the following points:
• To qualify for a license the applicant must be a body corporate established in Malta in terms of the Companies Act.
• All licensees must pay a one off Your
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