Malta gaming amounts to 13 pct of the overall economy
According to the Malta Gaming Authority, the gambling industry accounted for 13.2% of the overall country’s economic activity in 2018.
Malta.- The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) revealed its latest annual report on the industry on the island during 2018. According to the regulator, the gambling segment accounted for 13.2% of the total overall economic activity in the country.
The figure is nearly two points better than 2017’s and shows the segment is the fourth-highest producing sector in Malta.
Malta gaming companies went down from 287 to 273, but it was due to a new licensing scheme. By this, several companies now operate under one single licence, held by a single operator.
Furthermore, the MGA revealed 6,794 jobs come from Malta’s gaming industry. The figure is up slightly from 2017’s 6,673. The online segment generated 5,950 of them and companies are even struggling to find qualified workers.
Fighting against illegal activity
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the Malta Police Force (MPF) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). It aims to improve the efficacy of their cooperation and strengthen the exchange of information with regard to gaming operations.
The understanding, which came into force on May 20, aims to consolidate undertakings in combatting gaming-related offences such as instances where parties are involved in joint operations requiring the seizure of objects and other illegal gaming activities. These may include assisting in the prosecution of the aforementioned illegal activities and any other investigative requirements.
The MGA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Heathcliff Farrugia, said: ‘’This Memorandum of Understanding will continue to strengthen the good relationship there is between the MGA and the MPF. Apart from having a closer collaboration, through this MoU, both parties are also agreeing to share their respective knowledge and to formally provide technical training to each other. This agreement is testament to the ongoing efforts of the two entities in continuing their fight against illegal gaming activities in Malta’.”
