Malta's Licensing Body Speaks Out

Malta is a popular location for online gambling due to its low gaming tax and pro gambling stance. Overseeing the licensing and regulation of Malta's online casino operations, the Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA) has proven to be a transparent and reputable jurisdiction body.

Last week LGA's Chief Executive Officer, Reuben Portanier, gave an interview to The Sunday Times, giving readers a glimpse of the organization's current workload and thinking.

Strong Start for 2010
Portanier, who has been in post for just nine months, saw positive prospects for the gaming industry. Although the global recession has harmed many industries, he felt that many online gambling operators have weathered the storm well and stated that there are already positive signs emerging for 2010.

The LGA currently oversees around 250 operators and one of the green shoots that the LGA have noted relates to the growing revenues being generated. One of their responsibilities is tax collection and Portanier revealed that 2009 saw tax revenues of €19 million, an increase from €15.6 in 2008.

LGA's Role
The LGA's mission is to ensure that gaming is fair and transparent for players and that crime and corruption are prevented. Says Portanier, "We are not a fly-by-night regulator. We improve constantly. We ensure that we are in tune with the technical, legal, European and gaming changes within the industry."

Security is a crucial facet of the LGA's service and Portanier highlighted the type of issues they need to address. He cited the prevention of money laundering and child protection as areas of collaboration with the police, authorities and banking system, jointly ensuring local operations remained legitimate and reputable.

Portanier also described steps that the LGA were taking to improve upon their service. He said the agency was currently working to speed up their licensing process by up to 45% following concerns raised over the backlog of license applications.

An Advisory Body
Portanier highlighted how the LGA works in an advisory capacity to the legislator and mentioned a current phase of reviews. He states, "Where there are elements for swift intervention which are within the authority's control, we modify technical or procedural policies. "We [also] participate very actively in all the European Commission's working groups, expressing our position at the table."