MGA generally plans self-shutdown system

You probably know that Malta is a bit of a center for igaming. An absolute majority of the online casinos you can get in touch with (and which we review here on the site) have a license in Malta via the MGA. Perhaps you also know that MGA casinos have an obligation to offer their players functions for restrictions on deposits, turnover and the like? The summary title is usually responsible gaming . The online casinos are also required to provide self-exclusion features. The aim is for players experiencing symptoms of gambling addiction to be able to easily pause or completely close their account to prevent further problems.

However, the problem with self-exclusion features is that they can only be applied to individual websites. Anyone who closes their account at a particular casino can easily open a new account at another casino. The only exception is if the other site is part of the same group/network. This problem is now addressed by the Malta Gaming Authority by launching a general system in-house shortly.

Better protection for players

The fact that there is a large selection of gambling sites is basically good. The more players there are, the tougher the competition becomes and the harder the online casinos have to work to meet the wishes of the players. For those who suffer from gambling addiction, however, the wide range is less positive. Closing an account on a site does not really mean any restriction. There is always a new casino site to register on.

The new venture from MGA will build on a common database . This database will include all players who have closed their accounts at one or more MGA-licensed online casinos. All Malta casinos will also be forced to check new registrations against the database. If it turns out that a player who has previously used a self-exclusion feature is trying to create a new account, that player will be denied registration.

Above is a brief description of the basics of the system. Otherwise, much is rather unclear. The reason is that the system is still at the planning stage. The MGA will file the new rules during the summer and possibly the system can be in place this fall.

One thing that will probably be clarified in the coming months is the question of self-exclusion time limits. For example, will shutting down a site make online gambling impossible forever?

Other new regulations from the MGA

In addition to the new system with a common database, the MGA will in the coming months also introduce new anti-money laundering rules as well as a new function for mediation between players and online casinos. The latter is perhaps the most interesting in our eyes.

Today, anyone who feels that they have been abused by an online casino can complain to the MGA. The prerequisite, of course, is that the casino has an MGA license. The MGA then obtains information from both the site and the complainant and then presents a decision. The new function will strengthen the position of the players as the authority will act more as a mediator than a ”judge”. In mediation, MGA will to a greater extent start from a perspective of consumer protection.