Government considering wider iGaming licence regime

Inaugurating an iGaming seminar Thursday morning, Fenech said the sector had experienced considerable growth in the past years thanks to government’s “strict but fair” approach to regulation.

He said that despite criticism of the regime by those who “lacked the necessary vision”, Malta's approach meant that more and more operators had chosen to base themselves on Maltese shores.

Fenech said that Malta today hosts 290 licensed operators who employ in excess of 3,000 individuals. He added that an additional 2,700 jobs serve to service the sector’s needs.

He said applications received by the Lotteries and Gaming Authority had reached “record levels” and that is now clear that the i-gaming sector has become an important contributor to the local economy.

He said that the European Commission attributed this success to Malta’s strong regulatory system, and that the government is “looking at a wider licensing regime” to ensure the sector’s growth. Fenech also welcomed an EU green paper on gaming regulations, saying that operators could be given a unique opportunity to deliver feedback on how regulated markets can work.