Malta Gaming Authority launches AI Gaming Charter
The MGA said the AI Gaming Charter would promote the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence amid uneven industry adoption of the technology.
Key takeaways:
- Malta’s gaming regulator has launched a voluntary AI Gaming Charter, providing sector-specific guidance on the ethical, transparent and responsible use of AI across gaming operations.
- The framework complements existing regulations such as the EU AI Act and covers AI applications including player protection, fraud detection, customer support and operational decision-making.
- Developed jointly by the MGA and MDIA, the Charter aims to help operators strengthen governance, accountability and human oversight while supporting innovation and building trust in AI adoption.
Malta.- The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has launched a dedicated AI Gaming Charter. The document is intended to serve as a voluntary sector-specific framework promoting the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence across gaming operations.
The AI Gaming Charter was developed in collaboration with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA). It was launched at an event that brought together representatives from the gaming industry, public sector and technology community to discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by AI.
The voluntary, principles-based framework is intended to complement existing legal and regulatory frameworks, including the EU AI Act while providing practical guidance tailored to the realities of the gaming sector. The aim is to support the responsible, transparent and accountable use of AI in igaming.
MGA AI Charter provisions
The AI Charter outlines guidance in four key areas: transparency and disclosure, human oversight, data governance and privacy, and environmental sustainability.
In terms of the first, the charter says that players must be able to recognise when they are interacting with AI. This requires disclosure of AI-generated content, including deepfakes, in alignment with Article 50 of the EU AI Act. Distinctions are made between what must be shared with regulators and with the public in order to protect proprietary algorithms and security-sensitive data.
The charter also stresses that AI should not be used as a replacement for human judgement, especially in sensitive operations like account restrictions or gambling harm interventions. On the matter of data governance, operators are advised to document the origins and quality of AI training data and to proactively address bias. In the final area, it recommends due diligence on energy practices and the consideration of carbon footprint in development decisions.
Industry input
The MGA said the Charter draws on extensive engagement with industry and other stakeholders, including sector-wide surveys, targeted discussions with gaming licensees and a dedicated consultation process. This collaborative approach helped ensure that the framework remains practical, proportionate and responsive to the evolving needs of the sector.
The survey found that AI was being adopted by Malta-licensed operators unevenly. Many companies said they used it at the proof-of-concept stage or for back-office optimisation but not for player-facing applications. Some said they use AI at Minimum Viable Product stage for things like responsible gambling behavioural modelling, player onboarding and KYC processes.
“Artificial intelligence is already being used across a range of gaming-related functions, including player protection, fraud detection, customer interaction and operational decision-making. The AI Gaming Charter supports organisations in embedding appropriate governance, human oversight and ethical considerations into the design, deployment and use of AI systems,” the MGA said.
Speaking at the launch event, CEO Charles Mizzi said: “The AI Gaming Charter reflects a shared commitment between regulators, industry and technology experts to promote the responsible and transparent use of artificial intelligence. Our role as a regulator is not to stand in the way of innovation, but to help create the certainty and confidence needed for innovation to flourish responsibly.”
MDIA CEO Kenneth Brincat said: “Trust is fundamental to the responsible adoption of AI. As its use becomes increasingly embedded across the gaming sector, organisations need practical ways to understand where AI is being used, manage the associated risks and ensure that accountability and human oversight remain firmly in place. The AI Gaming Charter translates these principles into practical, sector-specific guidance, bringing together MDIA’s expertise in AI governance and the MGA’s deep understanding of the gaming sector. This collaboration demonstrates how Malta can support technological innovation while ensuring that AI remains transparent, accountable and trustworthy.”
