The Malta Independent 27 April 2024, Saturday
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How Did Ontario's New Regulations Affect Malta's Gaming Industry?

Tuesday, 2 May 2023, 18:11 Last update: about 13 months ago

Ontario’s new gambling industry has impacted gaming worldwide, especially in Malta’s online gaming industry. How do these markets influence each other?

Ontario’s gambling regulations - who oversees the industry in Ontario?

Ontario’s gambling industry is supervised and regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, known as AGCO. This institution’s primary responsibility is licensing operators and handling all types of gambling in Ontario, from lotteries and online casinos to charitable gaming and horse racing. 

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario can impose penalties for operators not following the regulations.

Gambling regulations in Ontario

Regarding gambling in Ontario, the legal forms include online casinos, lotteries and horse racing, which are popular among Ontarians. 

The primary purpose of Ontario’s gambling regulations is to maintain a safe space for online players, with secure gambling sites that promote responsible play and protect users that might be prone to developing problem gambling, especially young users. This is why one of the essential features online casinos must include is self-exclusion programs. 

Users must be 19 to play at online casinos

Ontarians must be at least 19 to participate in online gambling activities. This measure is imposed to protect vulnerable players. 

Online casino operators must go through a detailed registration process and sign an agreement with iGaming Ontario, as iGO is a subsidiary of ACGO and in strict compliance with the Government. 

Another essential matter for Ontario’s market is that authorities supervise the advertising of gambling activities to prevent people from excessive gambling. 

Online casinos in Malta - how can Maltese users play in online casinos?

Malta’s online gambling industry is regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the leading authority that handles all forms of gambling throughout Malta’s industry. The authority’s primary responsibility for issuing licenses for online casinos while supervising the industry to ensure operators comply with regulations. 

Also, this authority handles penalties for any violations of gambling regulations. 

Malta maintains its authority in the online gambling market

As related by casinobonusca.com, 15 online casinos operating in Ontario also hold MGA licenses. Therefore, online players may perceive these platforms as more reliable as they must comply with extensive rules and regulations.

The Malta Gaming Authority maintains a very transparent and fair gaming experience. Thus, all gambling operators must adopt strict guidelines such as anti-money laundering policies, tools to protect users from irresponsible gambling, verified and reliable software systems, and better funds management. 

One aspect that might be similar to Ontario’s gambling industry is the advertising methods online casino operators must disclose. Operators need to promote responsible gambling by targeting non-vulnerable players. 

MGA-approved operators must undergo internal audits regularly

Another method through which the Malta Gaming Authority maintains a proper gambling environment is by imposing strict internal auditing standards and inspections to make sure that these operators do not conduct any illegal activities. 

Are Ontario’s and Malta’s gambling markets regulated similarly?

One significant similarity between these two gambling markets is that the authorities are keen on providing a safe space for their participants and preventing fraud or other forms of irresponsible gambling. 

That is why the gambling industry for both markets is strictly regulated, with operators having to go through an actual process of background checks on both the company and the individuals involved in the business. 

However, as similar as these markets are, Malta and Ontario’s online gambling industries also have some differences. For example, in Ontario, several forms of gambling, including online casinos, lotteries and horse racing, are all regulated by the central authority, ACGO. In Malta, the regulatory authority, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), is directly responsible and focused on online gambling. Its primary duty is to gather only gambling operators with good reputations.

Key differences between the two gambling industries

While Malta and Ontario’s gambling industries have much in common, there are some significant differences as Malta is a small country. In contrast, Ontario’s gambling industry is conducted on a larger scale through online and offline operators. 

A key difference is that Ontario’s gambling industry is deeply connected to government revenue, while Malta’s gambling industry primarily focuses on serving international markets and does not have the same level of government involvement.

Malta’s and Ontario’s gambling industries are among the safest markets

Malta’s gaming industry is one of the most extensive gambling industries in the world, as much as Ontario’s newest gambling markets. Both jurisdictions have imposed strict regulatory frameworks to provide a fair, transparent, safe gaming experience. 


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