Compliance Updates

Ireland’s New Gambling Regulator to Begin Work on Phased Basis Next Year

Published

1 month ago

November 1, 2024

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ireland’s new gambling regulator is likely to begin overseeing betting businesses in the Republic midway through next year, industry figures predict.

President Micheal D Higgins recently signed the new Gambling Regulation Act, which overhauls licensing and creates a new authority to govern betting firms, into law. Industry figures forecast that the new regime should begin operating midway through next year, a key point for many businesses as they will have to renew online betting licences by that time.

Government also has to pass several milestones before the new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland can start functioning, including appointing the seven people the body requires.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee appointed senior civil servant Anne Marie Caulfield as chief executive designate of the authority in summer 2022. Her office has 11 staff. According to the Department of Justice, the State’s Public Appointments Service will shortly begin recruiting the authority’s seven members.

The Minister will appoint the candidates the service recommends.

The department could not say when the authority would start regulating but noted this would happen in a phased “timely manner” after its establishment.

Jack Chambers, Minister for Finance, earmarked €9.1 million for the authority next year in this month’s budget. That includes €4 million for technology.

Ms Caulfield wrote to industry organisations last week confirming that her organisation would begin its work on a “phased basis” but pointing out that it has already completed many preparations. In a statement she said that the authority was committed to keeping the industry fully informed so businesses can “plan for the new regulatory regime”.

Meanwhile, the Public Service Appointments Service last week advertised for someone to head the authority’s social fund. Under the new law’s provisions, betting businesses will contribute to this fund which the authority will use to tackle problem gambling.

Betting businesses regard the fund’s establishment as one of the key steps towards establishing the new regime.

Alongside that, they say that the authority will also have to set up its new licensing system. The law demands that all gambling businesses operating in the Republic be licensed and makes it a criminal offence to operate without a proper permit.

Lawyers at Arthur Cox recently noted that current permits are preserved until licensing sections of the act come into force. Existing high street and online bookies’ licences will have a run-off period, but lawyers said that how this would work in practice depended on how the regulator developed the new system.

Betting businesses are keen that the authority works on a national self-exclusion register for customers who voluntarily ask bookmakers not to take their bets. Currently, most individual bookies have systems where customers who fear they have a problem, or are at risk, can exclude themselves in this way.

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Compliance Updates

Play’n GO celebrates award of Malta Gaming Authority ESG-C Seal

Published

2 days ago

December 6, 2024

George Miller

Play’n GO celebrates award of Malta Gaming Authority ESG-C Seal

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Swedish gaming giant the only B2B company awarded Tier 2 seal in recognition of “aspirational level” of ESG reporting

Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today announced it has received the Malta Gaming Authority’s ESG-C Tier 2 Seal in recognition of its efforts and reporting of ESG activities.

Earlier this year, the legendary games studio released its 2023 Sustainability Report, outlining its commitment to a sustainable future, both for the iGaming industry and the planet as a whole. The report covered everything from Play’n GO’s commitments to “Net Zero”, greener working practices, and the company’s “Culture of Belonging” in a Digital First world.

Play’n GO recently became the only iGaming business to be nominated at the 2024 Corporate Star Awards, where its Sustainability Report was recognised alongside global leaders such as SONY Entertainment and Globo.

Vanessa Arenram, CSR Director at Play’n GO, commented “We’re pleased to have our commitment to a sustainable world recognised in this way by the Malta Gaming Authority. Our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility goes far beyond mere words- it’s reflected in our actions, initiatives, and the positive impact we strive to create, both within our industry and the wider world. Our 2023 Sustainability Report received very positive feedback, both internally and externally, and we look forward to publishing the 2024 version early next year. We would like to thank the Malta Gaming Authority for this award, and pledge to continue the work for many years to come.”

Compliance Updates

MGA Publishes Skills Gap Report, Unveiling Insights into Workforce Trends and Industry Challenges

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has released its latest report analysing the skills gap in the online gaming industry, based on surveys conducted between 2020 and 2024. The findings, reflecting data from 2019 to 2023, provide valuable insights into workforce trends, challenges, and opportunities across MGA-licensed activities in Malta.

Key Findings from the Report

Positive Labour Market Dynamics

75.8% of surveyed respondents rated Malta positively in areas such as labour market trends, skills availability, and training opportunities when compared to other jurisdictions.

Vacancy Trends in 2023

At the end of 2023, 74.9% of job vacancies had been open for less than three months.

There were 92.5 vacancies per 1000 employees in MGA-licensed activities, with a total of 885 open positions reported by online gaming companies in Malta.

Vacancy Breakdown by Level

79.2% of open positions were at the operational level.

18.8% were at middle management, while top management roles accounted for 2.0% of total vacancies.

Roles in Demand

Marketing roles (including customer care) represented 21.1% of vacancies, while technology-related positions made up 16.8%.

Top Barriers to Recruitment

The most common reasons for unfilled vacancies over the reporting period were:

Lack of work experience.

Competition from other firms.

Insufficient qualifications.

Recruitment Trends in 2023

84.9% of surveyed firms hired personnel from other companies within the industry.

Only 25.8% recruited directly from university graduates, underscoring the need for better alignment between educational programmes and industry needs.

Addressing Skills Gaps

71.7% of firms implemented in-house training or mentoring programmes to address skill shortages.

55.4% intensified employee retention efforts as a strategy to close skills gaps.

MGA CEO, Charles Mizzi, commented on the report’s findings:

“As Malta’s gaming industry evolves, it is essential to adapt and strengthen the foundations that support its success.”

“The Skills Gap Report reveals important insights into the challenges and opportunities ahead, particularly the need for targeted skills development and stronger partnerships between educational institutions and industry. By addressing these priorities, we can ensure sustainable growth and maintain Malta’s leadership in the global gaming ecosystem.”

Australia

VGCCC: Shepparton Hotel Operator Fined $100,000

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Goulburn Valley Hotel (GVH) Shepparton Pty Ltd has been issued a $100,000 fine for providing false information to the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC).

In November 2022, GVH applied for a licence to operate 40 poker machines at the Shepparton hotel but did not disclose that the licence nominee had been found guilty of 2 counts of negligently dealing with the proceeds of crime, without conviction, in June 2022.

VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt AM said it is a requirement under the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (Vic) that criminal offending is disclosed as part of the licence application process.

“By providing wrong information, an applicant impedes the regulator from fully assessing their suitability to hold a licence,” she said.

“We expect applicants to abide by the law and provide complete and accurate information. This is a critical part of ensuring that the gambling industry operates with safety and integrity and is free from criminal influence or exploitation.”

Ms Kimmitt said GVH’s cooperation with the investigation was taken into account in determining the fine.

“The $100,000 fine reflects the severity of the offence and should demonstrate to other applicants and operators that we’re serious about compliance with legal obligations.”

Additional licence and reporting conditions have been applied to GVH and another venue operator licence associated with the nominee, Pan Hotels Pty Ltd.