Malta Gaming Authority demands silence on pandemic

The Malta Gaming Authority warned all licensees about the consequences of irresponsible communication during the pandemic.

Malta.- The Malta Gaming Authority issued a notice warning licensees that the current pandemic could be causing distress to players and that the gaming industry has to deliver “socially responsible commercial communications with respect to COVID-19.”

The MGA noted that this was “a very trying time for all” but could be “particularly distressing to players.”

“Any direct or indirect reference to Covid-19 or any related circumstance would be considered to amount to a breach of this regulation”, the statement informs.

The MGA is urging licensees to pass the message on to affiliates and make sure that their activities are not being promoted in an unethical and socially irresponsible manner such as any marketing pitches that contained references to the global crisis, or encourages antisocial behaviour or suggests that solitary gaming is preferable to social gaming.

Other irresponsible behaviours include suggestions that gaming can solve problems, could be a solution to financial concerns, an alternative to employment or is ‘socially attractive.’