The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has published its Interim Performance Report 2025 for the period between January and June.
During this time, the MGA received 28 new applications for gambling licences and approved eight of them.
The Authority also handed out 898 permits for non-profit tombola, eight permits for non-profit lottery and 75 certificates for commercial communication games that were held during limited-time events.
A total of 723 criminal screenings were also held, while the Fit and Proper Committee oversaw 34 decisions - four of which were rejections.
Out of the 16 gaming licence applications made to the Supervisory Council, two of these were found to contain false, misleading, inaccurate, or materially incomplete information.
Between safeguarding players and promoting responsible gambling, the MGA resolved a total of 1,720 requests for assistance, received 891 player funds reports and carried out nine data extractions.
On illegal casinos, 755 URLs were reviewed, and 34 were found to lie about being licensed by the MGA or other jurisdictions.
The MGA carried out 4,198 inspections of gaming premises, while the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) launched 11 AML/CFT investigations.
In the first half of the year, the MGA issued 23 cease and desist letters, 15 warnings, 23 administrative penalties totalling €139,360 ($163,704.50), and one licence cancellation.
On international matters, the MGA received 149 suspicious betting reports from licensees and sent out 88 alerts to licensees themselves.
Other international regulators reached out for help 29 times and the MGA reached out four times, though the Authority insists that these "were mostly generic requests for cooperation or requests for background checks as part of authorisations process."
The full report can be expected during the second half of 2026
