MGA publishes amendments to the player protection directive

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The Malta Gaming Authority is hereby publishing the amendments to the Player Protection Directive (Directive 2 of 2018).

We believe that safe, sustainable, and responsible gaming is of paramount importance to the gaming sector. Following feedback received through the dedicated consultation process, the Authority is hereby publishing these amendments with the aim of strengthening and clarifying the current player protection framework.

This framework will support the Authority’s initiatives moving forward and will facilitate the Authority’s plans to continuously improve the player protection framework, including the eventual publication of detailed player protection guidelines for licensees. The Authority is in the process of conducting detailed research and garnering expert experience to serve as the foundation for the eventual publication of such guidelines.

The amendments delve into, inter alia, the licensees’ obligations regarding their responsible gaming policies and procedures, and the introduction of markers of harm that must be considered by licensees when determining effective measures and processes to detect and address problem gambling. Provisions relating to real-money reinforcement and staff training have also been addressed via the amendments.

The amendments are being proposed on the basis of a review of the key sections of the Directive carried out by an expert in the field, and on the basis of the Authority’s own research and experience garnered through the Responsible Gaming Unit’s audits and familiarisation visits.

Subject to the transitory provisions of the Directive, the amendments shall come into force on 12 January 2023.