MGA Invests in Responsibility: a New Tool for Casino Gamblers

How Does the New Self-assessment Work?

The new self-assessment tool is unique in that it is available directly on the official website of the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). This means that the tool will not be available at MGA-licensed casinos, but on the authority’s own website.

Anyone can take the self-assessment on the MGA website. In practice, the assessment includes answers to questions on the following topics:

• How much time is spent on gambling?
• How much money is spent on gambling?
• Does gambling affect relationships?
• For example, has gambling led to lying?

However, the questions are certainly more extensive and detailed than those listed above. Once the player has answered the questions, the tool assesses the level of risk of their gambling behaviour and provides personalised feedback.

If the self-assessment reveals problematic aspects of gambling activity, the test directly provides recommendations on available support services.

At the moment, the tool is only available in English and Maltese. However, it is likely that the test will become available in other languages in the future and may also be offered in online casinos themselves.

Why Now?

The new accountability tool is certainly a welcome addition by any measure, but it is probably no coincidence that the MGA is seeking to demonstrate its accountability at this particular juncture, as the Malta Gaming Authority has been consistently criticised in recent years for its inadequate measures to prevent gambling-related problems.

Issues of responsibility and lack of support are often raised in public debates about gambling, with foreign gambling regulators accused of shifting the burden of solving problems primarily to the player’s country of destination.

In other words, this is not only a measure to protect players, but also a purely strategic move designed to prove that the MGA is capable of integrating preventive measures into its own regulatory framework and meeting international expectations regarding the responsibility of its licensees.

The MGA Licence Requires Casinos to be Responsible

Despite criticism, Maltese casinos are generally among the most responsible. The authorities impose very strict obligations on operators with regard to responsibility measures. Among other things, casinos must offer comprehensive risk management tools.

The most common control tools in Maltese casinos are restrictions on deposits, losses, sessions and time. In addition, MGA casinos are required to provide players with the option of self-exclusion.

Another example is the licensed casinos of Curacao or Anjouan. These authorities do not require licensees to take any responsibility measures, which unfortunately leaves players on their own if problems arise.