Malta eases gambling licensing rules after industry pushback
The Malta Gaming Authority has scaled back proposed changes to its foreign gambling licence recognition framework following concerns raised by operators and suppliers.
The regulator confirmed on October 29 that it had completed its consultation on amendments to the Recognition Notice framework, which allows certain gambling businesses licensed in other jurisdictions to operate from Malta without obtaining a separate MGA licence.
The proposed reforms were intended to strengthen regulatory oversight and address money laundering risks identified in Malta’s national risk assessment.
However, industry representatives raised concerns about duplicated compliance requirements, commercially sensitive information and the administrative burden facing businesses already regulated elsewhere.
The MGA has reportedly agreed to reduce several proposed requirements, with these including replacing detailed corporate structure reporting with more targeted ownership information and introducing different obligations for business-to-business suppliers and consumer-facing gambling operators.
The regulator has also abandoned a proposed standardised legal opinion template and reduced the amount of historical regulatory information operators must provide.
In its official announcement, the MGA said stakeholder feedback had helped ensure the revised framework remained “proportionate, risk-based and practical for RN holders”.
The authority confirmed that further guidance would be provided before specific requirements are implemented.
Recognition Notices are particularly important to Malta’s international gambling industry, allowing businesses licensed in other qualifying jurisdictions to maintain operations on the island.
