Malta Gaming Authority licensees told to remove references to European Union ODR platform
Operators have until next month to update their terms and conditions
Malta.- The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has announced that it will revoke Article 13 of its Alternative Dispute Resolution Directive (Directive 5 of 2018) following a change in European Union (EU) law. As a result, B2C operators licensed by the MGA will need to update their terms and conditions by the implementation date of July 20, 2025.
Licensees must remove any references to the European Union’s Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Platform from their terms and conditions. The ODR functioned as an online tool for consumers to address disputes with businesses within the EU, but the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2024/3228, which repeals Regulation (EU) No 524/2013, mandates the discontinuation of the ODR platform.
The MGA said licensees must also ensure the removal of outdated references to the ODR Platform in all user-facing materials to prevent misinformation or confusion. It advises operators to consult the updated EU regulation to remain compliant with any new or residual obligations.
To maintain compliance, all licensees must integrate the necessary changes ahead of the implementation date, ensuring that players receive accurate and up-to-date information regarding their rights and available dispute resolution mechanisms.
MGA opens 2024 ESG Code Reporting cycle
The MGA is encouraging online gaming licensees to consider participating in its next voluntary ESG Code data collection exercises. Enrolment for 2024 ESG Code Reporting is open now.
The regulator recently published the results of its first ESG Code of Good Practice data collection exercise. Fourteen online gaming licensees took part, submitting detailed information about their environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices for 2023.
All participating licensees were awarded the ESG Code Approval Seal, with recognition at either Tier 1 or Tier 2 based on the level of alignment with the code. This seal acknowledges both foundational efforts and more aspirational commitments to ESG.
The regulator described the initiative as a milestone in the sector’s commitment to sustainability and responsibility, promoting greater ESG awareness, encouraging transparent reporting and highlighting the progress being made within the online gaming sector. It said the exercises also reflected broader national priorities, aligning with the goals of Malta Vision 2050 framework, which is aimed at driving sustainable growth, resilience, and improved quality of life across all sectors.
“The 2023 reporting cycle revealed positive strides across several areas, such as contributions to community initiatives, the tracking of energy use and emissions, and strong responsible gambling measures, with many licensees going beyond what is required by regulation,” the MGA said.
“The report also highlights opportunities for further progress. Continued emphasis is encouraged in areas such as the implementation of ESG governance frameworks, the development of more structured data tracking mechanisms, and enhanced alignment with long-term ESG objectives. Additionally, there is potential to strengthen gender representation at executive level and to broaden the reach of ESG-focused training across senior leadership.”
