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The Lotteries and Gaming Authority (the ‘Authority') is a single, independent regulatory body responsible for the following forms of gaming in Malta (online and land based), including:
- Casino Gaming,
- Commercial Bingo Games,
- Commercial Communication games,
- Remote Gaming,
- Sports Betting,
- the National lottery and other lotteries,
- Non-Profit Games
It is to be noted that -
Permits for Non-profit games are issued by the Authority on behalf of the Department of Public Lotto, who is the legally responsible for such games.
Amusement Machines currently fall under the remit of the Commissioner of Police under the subsidiary legislation issued under the Code of Police laws (legal Notice 43 of 1988) entitled ‘Use of Amusement Machines (Restriction) Regulations;
Horse Racing falls under the responsibility of the Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs as well as under the Malta Racing Club (Marsa- Malta), as the legally appointed Race Course Control Board under the Race Course Betting Ordinance (Chapter 78 Laws of Malta).
Games of difference, popularly known as spread betting, is regulated under the Investment Services Act (Chapter 370 Laws of Malta) and fall under the remit of the Malta Financial Services Authority.
Upcoming Gaming Related Legislation
Last December (2009), Parliament passed Act 31 of 2009, a Bill which amended the Lotteries and Other Games Act (Chapter 438 Laws of Malta) (the ‘Act'), widening certain remits of the Minister of Finance, who is responsible for all matters relating to the Act, and thereby increasing the areas of competency so as to introduce the required Regulations so as to regulate the Amusement Machines Sector (no reward) and also the area covering relevant gaming devices as described under the Act.
The main amendments to the Lotteries and Other Games Act (Chapter 438 Laws of Malta) and the principles of the proposed Regulations relating to Gaming Devices and Amusement Machines respectively, were discussed in Parliament and in further detail with representatives of both Parliamentary groups before they were made law.
The Gaming Devices Regulations and Amusement Machines draft Regulations have been finalized by the Government, and have been notified to the European Commission through the procedure set up by the 98/34/EC Directive (TRIS procedure), which imposes an obligation upon the Member States to notify to the Commission the draft technical regulations concerning products and Information Society Services before they are adopted in national law. The Government will only be in a position to enact such regulations once a go-ahead is obtained from the European Commission. This shall be communicated to the public and posted on this website.
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