Malta Remote Gaming - New Amendment Regulations issued on 11th

Since the inception of the Remote Gaming Licence in May 2004, operators, service providers and the Regulator have felt the need for a revision of the Regulations to render them more operation-friendly. The newly amended Remote Gaming Regulations, which were issued on the 11th March, 2011, were drafted with the intention of ensuring that player protection is guaranteed. 

The amendments mentioned in the Remote Gaming (Amendment) Regulations, 2011, focus on the approvals required with regards to specific contractual arrangements and shareholder alterations in licensed legal entities as well as the restructuring of the applicable fees and gaming taxes payable by remote gaming operators and due to the Lotteries & Gaming Authority.

These new Regulations give a broader and more flexible definition of the term “operations”. Remote gaming operations now include those games which are authorised under any law enacted by an EU Member State or a Member State of the European Economic Area or any other jurisdiction or territory approved by the Lotteries & Gaming Authority, as long as any requirements or conditions imposed by the Authority are compatible with international obligations.

In light of the above, the newly amended Regulations definitely highlight the international character of remote gaming as an international, non-territorial concept. Malta continues to solidify its laws and regulations to ensure that operators operate in a strongly regulated jurisdiction, hence ensuring player protection.