The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) recently launched a new self-assessment tool for problem gambling. Players can use it to test themselves and receive help if they’re at risk of addiction. As the market in Malta continues to grow, the MGA must continue improving its tools.

MGA’s Questionnaire

The new tool provided by the MGA is a self-assessment questionnaire. It’s anonymous and free to use, with both English and Maltese versions available for accessibility.

Users answer nine questions that assess their gambling behavior. It also factors in societal and environmental influences. Some of the questions include:

• Do you spend more than you can afford to lose?
• Do you often get the urge to return and try to recover losses?
• Do you experience stress, anxiety or depression related to gambling?
• Does gambling lead to financial stress for you?

Similar to our self-assessment test, this is not a medical evaluation. It serves as a good guidance tool that recommends appropriate responsible gambling tools. It also provides links to organizations that can help with gambling addiction.

Malta’s Responsible Gambling Efforts

This tool is part of Malta’s ongoing efforts to protect players and promote responsible gambling. It was developed in collaboration with the Responsible Gaming Foundation and Sedqa. This approach reinforces the MGA’s partnership with these organizations.

The Authority has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Malta Financial Services Authority. The aim is to improve its work against money-laundering schemes.

Malta also hosted the SiGMA Euro Med this year, an exhibition and networking event, in September and will host it again in spring 2026. Given its regulatory leadership and reputation for responsible gambling innovation, Malta is a logical choice.

New Capital Requirements Policy

The authority also protects players by making sure operators are financially stable. It established a new Capital Requirements Policy in July.

The rules ensure that gambling firms have have the necessary capital to operate sustainably. Licensees must maintain a minimum share capital that varies by license types:

Any licensee must also maintain a positive equity position. If they face any financial challenges, they will be given time to fix them. These changes allow the MGA to take proactive steps and support operators in resolving issues early.

MGA’s Letter to the EU

The MGA has also had to contend with legal disputes. In 2023, the government introduced Article 56A, protecting Maltese operators who offer their services abroad.

However, many operators believed this shielded them from legal action in EU courts, leading to stalled player loss cases.

The MGA responded after the EU Commission published a letter criticizing the amendment in 2025. It upheld the belief that Maltese operators should retain the right to offer services across the EU.

However, this does not protect them from being sued in other European courts. Although Malta has responded, the case remains ongoing. We will continue to monitor and report on future developments.

Future of Malta’s Gambling Market

As Malta’s gambling market continues to grow, the MGA is improving its player protection efforts. According to the Authority’s 2024 annual report, 28 new operators applied for a license the previous year. In addition, over 16 million players registered for online gaming accounts. The number of active players also increased:

Malta is reforming its market by imposing new levies and patching loopholes as the industry continues to thrive. According to the 2024 report, there are over 39 million active players. While there is an ongoing dispute with the EU over Article 56A, Malta continues to improve player protection.