MGA reviews sports-betting integrity controls at licensed operators

The Malta Gaming Authority has published the findings of a thematic review of how licensed operators identify, assess and report potential risks to the integrity of sports betting. The review examined monitoring systems, internal escalation procedures and the tools operators use to prevent and counter possible manipulation of sporting events, according to the authority's published findings.

The review formed part of the Maltese authority's risk-based supervisory approach and focused on operators that, since the relevant regulatory obligations were introduced, had submitted a limited number of Suspicious Betting Reports or none at all. Through supervisory meetings and verification work, the MGA examined how effective operators' systems were at identifying anomalous behaviour, how reports are handled within organisations, which functions carry responsibility, and what preventive measures are in place to address integrity risks.

The authority found that a low volume of reports does not necessarily indicate weaknesses in monitoring systems. In several cases, the scarcity of reports was attributable to preventive risk-management measures, such as restrictive betting limits and the exclusion from the offering of sporting events considered particularly exposed to manipulation risk.

The review identified good practices already adopted by operators, including real-time monitoring systems for betting activity and effective cooperation between the departments responsible for risk management and those responsible for regulatory compliance. Attention was also given to measures intended to prevent athletes and sports personnel from taking part in prohibited betting activity, through prevention and control tools aimed at protecting the integrity of competitions.

The MGA also identified areas where operators must strengthen their procedures. These include the need to document internal escalation processes clearly and completely, specifying responsibilities and how anomalies must be brought to the attention of the competent functions and subsequently reported to the authority. The review also found that the use of technological tools must be accompanied by adequate oversight and assessment by staff, and the authority said there is a need to promote a uniform interpretation of reporting obligations so that operators apply consistent criteria.

The authority said the publication is intended to give licensed operators a reference for assessing the adequacy of their own control systems and identifying possible improvements, while spreading the good practices observed during the review. The MGA confirmed it will continue to verify operators' progress through its ordinary supervisory activities, and said the evidence gathered in the thematic review will be taken into account in defining future guidelines and supervisory priorities.