Malta Gaming Authority Releases Review on Domestic Football Betting

The study forms part of the MGA’s ongoing efforts to evaluate risks associated with local sporting events, especially given Malta’s unique status as both a gaming hub and a country with its own competitive football league. The regulator noted that the concentration of betting operators within its jurisdiction could heighten the potential for integrity risks in domestic competitions.

The review covered data submitted by 60 licensed operators over a full football season, from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024. According to the findings, 70% of these licensees offered betting markets on Maltese football, while 37% reported having Maltese-based account holders who placed wagers on such events. The MGA highlighted that betting volumes varied widely among operators, with the highest declared total stakes exceeding €800,000 ($923,000) during the reporting period.

Interestingly, some operators reported negative revenue from domestic football betting, suggesting that these markets may not be commercially significant and, in some cases, may operate at a loss. The segmentation of bets revealed that over half were placed on match-winner outcomes, with the remainder distributed across more specific markets.

While the proportion of Maltese bettors wagering on local football remains relatively small, the MGA found that several operators also accepted bets from international accounts on Maltese competitions. The authority identified cross-border wagering as an area requiring sustained scrutiny, given that foreign betting patterns may pose distinct integrity challenges.

In their responses to the regulator, most operators indicated compliance with MGA guidelines and described the use of automated monitoring tools and advanced fraud detection systems to flag unusual betting activity. Some licensees also employ additional safeguards, including a rule that prohibits single bets on Maltese football matches—requiring players to combine such selections with wagers on other events.

The regulator emphasized that ongoing collaboration with licensees remains central to its integrity assurance strategy, as the betting landscape continues to evolve. Earlier this year, the MGA released its 2024 Annual Report, which recorded €84.1 million in revenue and reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to maintaining transparency and ethical standards in Malta’s gaming sector.