MGA and UKGC Formalize MoU to Address Black Market, Other Issues

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) have formalized their Memorandum of Understanding which will see the two watchdogs collaborate on a range of issues, including addressing the black market.

UKGC and MGA to Prioritize Intelligence Sharing

The UKGC has recently launched a new methodology meant to help it properly assess the true size of the gambling market in the country, and help it better understand how it can help stave the influx of players heading for illegal gambling websites.

Part of this effort will now be bolstered through the exchange of information and intelligence between the MGA and the UKGC. The idea is to ensure that the two watchdogs are working actively towards helping each other protect consumers and shield them against gambling-related harm and criminal activity.

There has been a push to harmonize regulation globally, with Australia’s Communications and Media Authority repeatedly turning to Curacao to better regulate websites that systematically target Australian customers without a license.

Commenting on the partnership between the MGA and the UKGC, commission CEO Andrew Rhodes had this to say:

“We welcome this agreement as a sign of our continued collaboration between the MGA and the GC. We’ve been working closely for some time now, and following our successful visit this summer, it is only fitting that we formalise our working relationship.”

Rhodes added that the commission was determined to continue improving its mechanisms to ensure that it achieves better overall standards across the industry globally including the tackling of common challenges, such as illegal gambling, and working on AML and sports betting integrity with other regulatory stakeholders.

Industry Regulators Increasingly Focusing on Global Collaboration

Just recently, the American Gaming Association, a US-based trade group, announced a similar partnership with European counterparts Betting and Gaming Council and the European Casino Association.

The MoU formalization was similarly welcomed by the recently-appointed MGA CEO Charles Mizzi who said that the two watchdogs have long had an “informal collaboration,” which has already yielded “meaningful results.”

However, this has now taken a step further. “In line with our regulatory objectives, we are confident that such collaboration will allow us to address common challenges more effectively, allowing us to continuously improve on the effectiveness of our processes and framework,” Mizzi concluded.

Previously, the MGA renewed its existing MoU with the Alderney Gambling Control Commission.