Malta's status as an online gambling hub continues to bring a wide range of benefits to the country, as the iGaming boom on the island shows no signs of abating. In 2004, we became the first EU member state to legalise online betting, giving Malta a vital advantage over its competitors. Today, Malta is home to over 300 gambling firms, with one in ten of the world's gambling companies based on the island nation. The gambling operators, which are licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, have 36.2 million active player accounts.

Malta's gaming laws are very favourable to online gambling operators, which is why the country has become a hub for such businesses. We have gambling laws that are quite permissive, as the only requirement for online gambling operators in Malta is that they must be licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). On paper, our laws are designed to protect both the operator and the player and to ensure that all gaming is conducted in a fair and transparent manner. Yet, in reality, what is happening out there in the comfort of our homes, where gamblers try their luck?

Online gambling is a really dangerous gamble. Since you do not have to go anywhere in order to have access to online gambling literally at your fingertips, it is that much harder to quit. There is not much stopping you from gambling at work, school or on the bus ride home. The COVID-19 pandemic had caused more online gambling since people were not leaving the house as frequently. The negative consequences of that causation are still being felt to this day.

While there are no exact statistics on the extent of the problem, the fact that the helpline (1777) is now open 24/7 is an indication that it is a considerable one. It provides professional help when the gambler's main priorities in life revolve around gambling activities only.

We have too many individuals and their families needing support in their afflictions and other life difficulties that may arise from this behavioural dependency. Moreover, by 2022, in its efforts to protect players and encourage responsible gambling, the MGA assisted 6,170 players who requested assistance. And that is only the tip of the iceberg, as there are many, many more afflicted players who are in dire need of assistance but do not come forward to request it for a variety of reasons.

Notwithstanding the MGA's statutory role and function, and in spite of all the commendable efforts put in by the same authority, there are still too many online casino sites that are getting away with offering players a free version where pretend money is used in order to get them hooked on the game. What these casinos do not tell them is that in the free version, the odds are more in the player's favour. The goal is that once the player has had some success with the free version, they will feel confident enough to start gambling with real money. The problem with this is that the moment real money becomes involved, online casinos change the odds to work in favour of the house.

This social problem gathers momentum because people who have a gambling problem may see online gambling as less of a big deal because they can hide behind a screen and stay at home. However, it is more addictive because it is easier to hide. Online gamblers may not realise they have a problem because it is not disrupting their lives in terms of work and social activities. Friends and family members may not even be aware that their loved one gambles and therefore cannot help them quit.

Things are certainly getting better, but even though the industry is maturing to the point where unauthorised casinos are not able to so readily offer their product to whomever they wish, rogue operators are still finding a way. Online gambling used to be a novelty phenomenon a decade ago, but today, the legislature is catching up, and this means lawmakers are prepared to enforce the right rules. Yet, rogue operators still find a way. The truth is, not many people can immediately tell the difference between a reputable and a disreputable casino. Third-party services that review casino brands certainly help, but they usually take a cut of the conversions, making you think twice before taking anyone's opinion at face value.

Gambling sites are no longer operating in a state of regulatory limbo where they reap their labour's fruits but give nothing back. In fact, our regulators have grown tougher, smarter and much savvier as to what practices should be ruled out altogether. Yet, we need to talk less about regulators and more about consumers.

There is still a lack of sufficient consumer protection, and this mostly affects high rollers, as checks take a long time to complete at many casinos, and this is time used by the players to spend extravagant amounts playing online. That is something that, in an ideal world, online casinos can do quickly, efficiently and reliably, leading to better control over problematic gaming practices. Of course, not all online casinos do, and until they do, online gaming may become the unloved child of many conscientious observers.

Gambling can be a sickness, a disease, an addiction or insanity, and it is always a loser in the long run.

Mark Said is a lawyer