The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) told operators at SBC Summit in Lisbon that prediction markets may already fit inside its existing licence categories, while it shared a Make It in Malta stand with 4 other Maltese organisations.
The delegation joined the MGA with GamingMalta, Bank of Valletta, Malta Enterprise and Identità. Each covers a different part of setting up in the country: regulation, industry links, banking, enterprise support and immigration services.
Five organisations on one stand
The MGA said the joint stand gave visitors a single view of doing business in Malta. GamingMalta is the foundation set up by the government to promote the jurisdiction to the sector. Malta Enterprise is the state’s economic development agency, and Identità handles residence and work permits. Bank of Valletta covered banking.
SBC has signed a deal to keep the event in Lisbon until 2030.
Mizzi on prediction markets
MGA CEO Charles Mizzi spoke at the Global Prediction Markets Forum, held during SBC Summit week, on the panel “Regulating Futures: Bridging the Gap Between the U.S. and Europe”. The session covered how jurisdictions are handling prediction market products and the regulatory questions they raise.
“Malta’s gaming framework was intentionally designed to accommodate technological change, product innovation and evolving business models. Depending on their structure, prediction markets may already fall within existing licence categories. We already have licensees offering similar products and are seeing significant interest from both existing and prospective operators.”
Mizzi tied that openness to conditions on consumer protection, financial crime and market integrity.
“Innovation and regulation should not be viewed as opposing forces. Our role is not to stand in the way of innovation. It is to understand it and engage with it, while ensuring that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect consumers, mitigate financial crime risks and preserve the integrity of the regulated market.”
Crypto-assets in regulated gaming
Martha Brincat, the MGA’s Chief Officer, Regulatory, sat on the Blockchain Banking for Gambling Operators panel at SBC Summit Lisbon. She set out Malta’s position on where crypto-assets fit inside a regulated gaming market.
The MGA did not publish details of her remarks.
What comes next
Mizzi’s comments mean operators can already take prediction market products to the MGA under the current framework. The regulator’s statements did not say whether it plans dedicated guidance or will assess each product against current licence categories. That choice will decide how fast interested operators can launch.
Source: Malta Gaming Authority
