The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a resilient and talent-driven iGaming industry, delivering substantial benefits to Malta’s economy. In its recently published 2024 Annual Report, the MGA detailed significant advancements in regulatory governance, workforce development, and international cooperation, aiming to solidify Malta’s role as a key catalyst for raising global iGaming industry standards.

Charles Mizzi, who completed his first year as CEO of the MGA in 2024, prioritised a strategic focus on proactive measures designed to improve workforce skills, investment, and development. As reported by iGaming Times, Mizzi stated that “Resilience also lies in our people,” emphasizing the Authority’s investment in equipping itself with the right skills and talent to support operators and meet the evolving demands of the gaming landscape. The MGA significantly bolstered its internal capacity, providing over 5,000 hours of staff training and launching performance management initiatives tailored for both managers and non-managers. The integration of key performance indicators into its recruitment and appraisal systems further helped align internal processes with operational excellence. In parallel, the new MGA Values Awards scheme was introduced to recognise staff members who exemplify the organisation’s core values: passion, transparency, competence, respect, and unity, marking a cultural pivot that now places human capital at the centre of the MGA’s strategic framework.

Gaming Sector’s Robust Impact on Malta’s Economy

While 2024 saw significant internal changes within the Authority, the impact of the gaming sector on Malta’s wider economy remained robust. The MGA reported that the gaming industry generated €1.386 billion in gross value added (GVA), which represents a substantial 6.7% of the national economy. When accounting for indirect economic spillover, the sector’s overall contribution rises even further, reaching 10.1% of Malta’s total GVA. This figure serves as a testament to the central role the iGaming sector plays in the nation’s prosperity. Ryan Pace, Chairperson of the MGA, commented on this impact, stating, as reported by iGaming Times, that “This is not a marginal industry,” and that “iGaming continues to be a pillar of economic stability and employment growth. Malta’s ability to serve as a hub for operators seeking long-term resilience continues to rest on the clarity of our regulatory framework and the credibility of its implementation.”

Equally compelling is the sector’s influence on employment. The report indicated that approximately 18,000 individuals were employed either directly or indirectly by iGaming companies in Malta. Of these, 14,357 individuals worked in roles directly tied to MGA-licensed operators. This figure underscores the ecosystemic nature of gaming in Malta, revealing a vast network of operators, developers, compliance specialists, legal and financial consultants, and ancillary service providers that collectively comprise 6.2% of the national workforce.

Licensing Landscape Reflects Market Maturity

The licensing landscape also reflected a maturing market. As of year-end 2024, the MGA reported 315 active licensees holding 323 licences. While this figure was modestly down from 2023, the stability observed speaks to the jurisdiction’s ability to retain quality over quantity. The average period of operation for licensed firms stood at 7.5 years, more than doubling to 13 years for the largest 100 operators by turnover. These largest operators alone accounted for 60% of all activity under the Malta licence, providing further evidence of enduring commitment from key market players.

On the licensing front, 28 new applications were submitted in 2024, with 17 licences granted. Notably, 65% of newly issued licences were for B2B services, reflecting the evolving needs of the sector. Twelve operators submitted renewal applications, and eight were approved. The Authority reiterated that these figures reflect not only licensing activity but also an evolution in the maturity and sustainability of operators within the jurisdiction.

Operational and Governance Reforms

To future-proof the sector against evolving challenges, the MGA launched a host of operational and governance reforms in 2024. One notable initiative was the completion of a new supervisory methodology built around risk, outcomes, and evidence-based enforcement. In partnership with the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU), the Authority completed 43 anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) examinations. The outcomes of these reviews have begun to inform a new wave of operator obligations that will be fine-tuned through stakeholder consultation in 2025.

Mizzi stated, as reported by iGaming Times, that “Effective regulation should not hinder innovation but enable and nurture it.” This philosophy was evident in the MGA’s dual strategy of enforcement and engagement. 2024 saw enhanced cooperation with the Malta Police Force and the conclusion of a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK Gambling Commission. Malta also played host to the Gambling Regulators European Forum (GREF), welcoming delegates from over 25 jurisdictions, further solidifying its role in international regulatory dialogue.

The MGA’s proactive posture extended to sports integrity, where it convened Malta’s first Sports Betting Integrity Conference in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), UEFA, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Authority also joined forces with INTERPOL’s Match-Fixing Task Force and finalised a data-sharing agreement with the International Table Tennis Federation. The MGA emphasizes that as betting markets grow more sophisticated, so too must the integrity mechanisms that support them.

Another area of progressive oversight was the expansion of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. In 2024, fourteen operators voluntarily disclosed ESG metrics, receiving the MGA’s first-ever ESG Code Approval Seals. Chairperson Ryan Pace commented on this, stating, as reported by iGaming Times, that “This is a forward step in aligning the gaming industry with Malta’s broader sustainability goals.” As the 2025 ESG reporting cycle approaches, the Authority expects more operators to join the initiative, strengthening the social licence of the industry as a whole. Cybersecurity also came under heightened focus. The formalisation of a Security Operations Centre (SOC), paired with a threat and vulnerability management programme, has positioned the MGA at the frontier of public-sector digital resilience. These new infrastructure upgrades were supported by the formation of two new governance committees: one for IT and Data, and the other for AML Steering. This layered architecture allows the Authority to remain agile while ensuring internal and external trust in its processes.

These reforms form part of a broader transformation that sees the MGA acting not just as a regulator, but as an architect of long-term sector resilience. Mizzi concluded, as reported by iGaming Times, that “The success of the MGA and the industry it regulates depends on a combination of strategic foresight and execution.” He added that “As we adapt to changing technologies and business models, our focus remains on quality, sustainability, and trust.” Malta’s ability to maintain its status as Europe’s premier iGaming jurisdiction will largely rest on how effectively it evolves with the times, with Mizzi backing workforce development as the principal platform to deliver on future objectives.