The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is the official gaming board of Malta. Malta is among the most highly-recognised gambling jurisdictions globally, being recognised by more than 180 jurisdictions worldwide.
The MGA was among the first to create legislation for online gambling operators, with its main objective being to make a safe environment for punters. The MGA was founded in 2001 and issues licenses to numerous operations, including fixed odds betting, casino games, and esports wagering.
Additionally, the gaming authority contributes up to 12% of Malta’s GDP. This guide will focus mainly on what the MGA says about esports betting and whether it allows esports betting bonuses and promotions.
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MGA betting sites are among the most popular in the world, with some of the bigger brands based out of here, including Betway, Unibet, and Pinnacle. Often, on top of their MGA license, esports betting sites will have licenses from other regulators to operate in countries like the United Kingdom, USA and various European bookies
The top MGA betting sites use cutting-edge technology and will work on all platforms, including mobile, with most having betting apps for both Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. By the numbers, the most bets are placed via Android smartphones at MGA bookmakers.
The best MGA esports betting sites have to abide by various restrictions that are placed on them by the regulator, with these including things like advertising standards, anti-money laundering practices, and third-party checks via independent organisations.
The top MGA bookies will feature betting on many different esports games, including titles like League of Legends, Dota 2, Overwatch, Call of Duty, CS2 and many others.
What does the Malta Gaming Authority say on esports betting?
The Malta Gaming Authority regulates the esports industry and supports betting operators that are fully licenced. Over the past few years, the MGA has set up various measures to ensure that the esports industry is well-regulated and doesn’t run off the tracks.
For example, 2021 saw ESL, the world’s largest esports betting company, and Gaming Malta, an independent non-profit foundation set up by the Maltese government and the MGA, partner to develop the esports ecosystem in Malta.
Additionally, in 2022, the Malta Esports Association (MESA) was formed to support and be the unifying body for esports in Malta. MESA is a member of the European Esports Federation and the International Esports Federation.
The technological and gaming neutrality of the MGA has ensured continuous regulation of the esports industry. New gaming laws set up by the Authority have impacted esports gaming operations, particularly in reporting. This means that all esports operators must report suspicious transactions from esports betting.
Also, to eliminate illegalities and irregularities that may come up from betting on esports markets that are not fully regulated, the MGA has divided its gaming service licences into two. They include Gaming Service Licences (B2C) and Critical Gaming Supply Licences (B2C).
Does MGA allow esports betting bonuses and promos?
The Malta Gaming Authority allows esports betting bonuses and promotions on fully licenced esports betting sites. Measures to restrict them are, however, in place.
Betting on esports games on online bookmakers that are not fully regulated may have harmful effects. For instance, some operators may accept punters from the United Kingdom but may not actually have a licence there, instead being based out of somewhere like Curacao eGaming.
Malta, like most gambling regulators, has opened its doors to many betting companies after seeing the immense value such a sector offers. The esports industry is among the fastest-growing industries in the world, and the Malta Gaming Authority cannot ignore such.
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