MGA publishes Brexit guidelines

Malta’s gaming authority has published guidelines on the impact of Brexit and said that operators should be aware of ulterior consequences.

Malta.- The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) published on Monday a guidance note on the impact of Brexit. The gaming authority said that the contents of the guidance note from UK’s exit from the European Union are solely related to regulatory affairs within the remit of the MGA.

The Malta authority said that operators should be aware of ulterior consequences resulting from Brexit. These include, but aren’t limited, to data protection, immigration, employment, duty and copyright considerations.

The authority said that the purpose of the guidelines is to provide an indication of the potential impact on the gaming industry operating in or from Malta and the transitory measures that may be availed of in order to ensure minimal impact on regulatory efficiency and the ongoing business.

In order to hold a licence in Malta there is a pre-requisite that a person must be established within the European Economic Area. UK’s exit from the EU means that persons and entities established in the United Kingdom will no longer meet this criterion. “Thus, they are required to take the necessary measures in order to ensure that the entity that holds the licence meets this pre-requisite,” said the MGA.

The authority also mentioned Regulation 22 of the Gaming Authorisations Regulations. It is in reference to European licensed operators and suppliers without a licence in Malta, but providing services in the country, to apply for recognition notice with the regulator. The recognition in Malta applies only if it happens before the Brexit.

Brexit won’t impact other regulatory causes

The UK leaving the European Union will not affect MGA’s recognition of random number generator or game certificates issued according to UK standards. The acceptance of UK licensed and regulated credit, financial and payment institutions for the purpose of holding player funds won’t be affected either.

Moreover, MGA said that the acceptance of the use by licensed entities of UK licensed and regulated payment methods and of essential components located in UK territory won’t suffer impact from Brexit. MGA also said that there no objection for licensed operators having offices, including key function holders performing their duties from the UK won’t be impacted.