Malta regulators strengthen cooperation on gambling complaints
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has signed a new cooperation agreement with the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA), aimed at improving how complaints and consumer protection matters are handled across the gambling industry.
The memorandum of understanding, announced on October 23, establishes a formal framework for information sharing and coordination between the two regulators.
The agreement focuses on complaints, disputes and consumer concerns that fall across their respective responsibilities.
Malta is one of Europe’s major gambling licensing jurisdictions, with the MGA overseeing a substantial international online gambling sector.
However, consumer disputes can involve both gambling-specific regulations and broader consumer protection legislation, creating potential uncertainty over which authority should handle individual complaints.
The new arrangement is designed to clarify those responsibilities and improve communication between the organisations.
MGA Chief Executive Charles Mizzi said effective player protection depends on regulators working together rather than operating independently.
“Effective player protection requires more than strong regulatory frameworks,” Mizzi said.
He added that cooperation and information sharing were important to prevent consumers from falling between the responsibilities of different authorities.
MCCAA Executive Chairperson Carmen Ciantar said the agreement formalised an existing working relationship and would help ensure consumer concerns were addressed more efficiently.
The MGA is responsible for licensing and supervising gambling operators within its jurisdiction, including compliance with player protection requirements.
The MCCAA has a broader remit covering consumer rights, fair trading and competition matters.
The agreement does not introduce new gambling licences or announce changes to existing operator licensing requirements.
Instead, it strengthens the procedures through which the authorities can exchange information and determine how consumer complaints should be handled.
For gambling operators licensed in Malta, the arrangement could lead to more coordinated oversight of complaints involving both gambling-specific rules and general consumer law.
