Blow to Malta as ECJ upholds ban on gambling websites advertising

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) today upheld a Swedish ban on the advertising of gambling websites hosted in other EU member states, including Malta.

The court said such a ban was legal as long as the penalties are the same as for the organisers of illegal gambling within the country.

Malta objects to French online gambling licences

The Lotteries and Gaming Authority has objected to the issuing of licences for gambling companies to operate in the French online market.

The French online gambling market has issued licences for online gambling providers Arjel, the online gambling regulator of France announced. The first set of licences was issued around three weeks ago, just in time for betting action on the Fifa World Cup in South Africa. But objections from Malta delayed the issuance of the second set of licences.

“The government objected on the basis that there were certain elements ... Read More

Speech by the On. Tonio Fenech, Minister of Finance, the Economy and Investment at the Malta iGaming Seminar held in St. Julians on the 13-14th of May, 2010

Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning.

It is a privilege for me to be opening the second edition of the Malta i-Gaming Seminar. It gives me great satisfaction to see such an event being organised by the Maltese Remote Gaming industry, for the Remote Gaming Industry. Such an initiative demonstrates the vitality and entrepreneurship of the Maltese gaming sector licensees and the industry’s service providers. This yet again demonstrates that Malta’s strategy in strengthening the gaming sector has been successful, with an industry which is vibrant and not at all passive.

Over these two days, the Malta iGaming Seminar shall provide a focal point of discussion, debate and opinions on the developments currently taking place in the remote gaming industry, with a special focus on our Islands. As you very well know, since 2004 when Malta joined the EU, we have built on our membership by developing robust systems to monitor and supervise operations.

We were the first EU Member State to adopt specific regulations for remote gaming, in line with the EU Treaties. We not only looked at having a strong remote gaming regulatory framework, but as part of our regulatory approach, we also placed special care in ensuring that the principles of other key European directives, such as the third Anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism funding directive were implemented in our regulatory approach.

We are regarded as being one of the main international hubs that regulate ... Read More

Malta defends gaming industry

Malta was the only European Union member state to object to an EU presidency initiative to frame a common definition for “illegal gambling”. However, despite Malta’s opposition, EU competition ministers still agreed on a common position taking the first step towards possible European collaboration in this area.

Meeting in Brussels, ministers discussed the Spanish presidency report and reached agreement on a definition, perhaps preparing the ground for a legal framework on gambling and betting in the EU.

EU ministers agreed to define illegal gambling as “gambling in which operators do not comply with the national law of the country where s ... Read More

Malta aims to excel in IT and iGaming

Not only was Malta the first EU member state to adopt specific regulations for remote gaming, but its major clamp down on illegal gaming operators in the past year or so is proof that the country is striving for excellence in the IT and iGaming industry, Finance, Economy and Investment Minister Tonio Fenech said yesterday.

For the second consecutive year, Malta is once again playing host to an iGaming Seminar, (MiGS) which started yesterday and is expected to come to an end later on this afternoon.

Minister Fenech said that the iGaming industry has become one of the most important sectors of the economy since Malta’s accession ... Read More

Malta iGaming Seminar 2010 tipped to be a success

The Malta iGaming Seminar will be held on May 13-14 at the Hilton Malta, Portomaso, St Julian's.

The seminar is being organised by CSB, a company that provides corporate, trustee and licensing services; BMIT, a co-location and hosting company; The Vacancy Centre, a recruitment/HR company; Megabyte Ltd, a systems integration and IT solutions company; Green Tube, a gaming software company, together with Re/Max Malta, the real estate and relocation company.

The seminar is a perfec ... Read More

Speech by Hon. Tonio Fenech during the WORLD GAMBLING BRIEFING 2010

SPEECH BY HON. TONIO FENECH, MINISTER OF FINANCE, THE ECONOMY AND INVESTMENT, DURING THE WORLD GAMBLING BRIEFING 2010. - WEDNESDAY, 24TH MARCH 2010, HILTON HOTEL, ST JULIANS.

Good morning. Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is a privilege for me to be opening the World Gambling Briefing 2010 and it gives me great satisfaction to see such a prestigious event being organised here in Malta. This demonstrates that the Maltese Government’s strategy in strengthening the gaming sector has been successful and has long been bearing fruit.

When the Remote Gaming Regulations were published in April 2004, we were aware that by opening up the market to cyberspace gaming, we would have to face many challenges that lie ahead. However we were confident that by following socially-sound principles, by having a strong, yet flexible technology, neutral legal framework, and with the ongoing cooperation of all parties concerned, we could overcome most obstacles and face these challenges with a high degree of success. Looking back, what has been accomplished over the past six years, is indeed remarkable.

Now remote gaming has become one of Malta’s most active industry niche sectors, registering continuing year-on-year growth and putting Malta in the lead as one of the most prestigious European Tier-One jurisdictions for remote gaming companies and players.

Malta has embraced the online gaming revolution with vigour and vision whilst offering one of the most progressive environments in the world for online gaming activities.

With around 350 remote gaming licensees in Malta, the industry is proving that serious regulation and stringent supervision offer the ideal conditions for remote gaming companies to operate in.

History has t ... Read More

New igaming records expected - Finance Minister

This year was likely to be another record year in terms of investment and injection from the igaming industry, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said this morning.

Addressing some 150 delegates at the sixth World Gambling Briefing 2010, being held in Malta for the first time, Mr Fenech said that when compared to other jurisdictions Malta fared very favourably because of its seriousness in its regulatory approach, its business friendly measures, the t ... Read More

LGA insists EU principles of free movement reign supreme

There appears to be no uniformity in the opinions on remote gaming passporting delivered by the European Court of Justice and Malta's regulator maintains that the EU principles of provision of the free movement of services and freedom of establishment reign supreme.

The Maltese jurisdiction is self-assured by the superiority of its regime and the international trust it enjoys, Lotteries and Gaming Authority chief executive officer Reuben Portanier told The Times Business.

Paolo Mengozzi, the advocate-general of the European Court of Justice, decreed in an "opinion" a few days ago that European Union member states were not obliged to allow gaming firms to penetrate their territory just because they were licensed in another EU state.

He was releasing his conclusions on seven cases referred by different German regional courts about the compatibility of German gaming rules with EU legislation.

Mr Portanier s ... Read More

New EU Commissioner resolved to settle online gambling confusion

The confusion over online gambling in EU member states is set to be ironed out by new Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier, a move that will be closely followed by Malta.

Soon after taking on his responsibilities, Mr Barnier announced he planned to address the matter and instructed the European Commission services to draft a green paper on the issue.

The EU is divided over the subject.

Malta, among others, agrees online gambling should be regulated by existing laws covering the EU's fr ... Read More

Prospects for i-gaming growth 'encouraging'

The prospects for growth in Malta's remote gaming industry this year are encouraging, Lotteries and Gaming Authority chief executive officer Reuben Portanier told The Sunday Times.

After witnessing exponential growth at the local industry's inception through early adopters, model replicators and later mergers and acquisitions, Malta continues to experience year-on-year expansion as some operators thrive and others relocate back office units to the island.

Last year, the industry witnessed an immediate growth span of some companies forming part of the same group, all of which were LGA licensees. Mr Portanier believes this latest trend will continue.

The LGA currently regulates over 335 licences held by some 250 operators. In 2009, the remote gaming sector paid €19 million in gaming duties, up from 15.6 million the previous year.

Efforts to win business through the promotion of the Malta jurisdiction continue relentlessly. Between January 25 and 28, a 14-member multidisciplinary team will man the LGA stand at the International Gaming Expo in London, Europe's - and arguably the world's - largest online gaming showcase. Malta Enterprise will support the team.

Clarion Gaming, the IGE organiser, is to stage the World Gaming Briefing in Malta in March. The strategic convention for over 250 of the industry's top CEOs will be sponsored and chaired by the LGA.

At the IGE later this month, Malta's leadership of the European industry will be evident. Mr Portanier said that more than half of the entire exhibition area ... Read More

Malta fights for i-gaming

Malta has strongly argued in favour of the mutual recognition of gaming licences with other EU member states, i.e. the pass porting rights of a Maltese licence.

During a recent i-gaming law debate held in London, representatives of the Lotteries and Gaming Authority formed part of a panel of legal experts and regulators from Malta, France, Italy, and the UK.

The Lotteries and G ... Read More

Income from gaming duties to reach €19m, minister tells first MiGS

Income in gaming duties from the remote gaming sector will reach €19 million this year, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech told the first Malta iGaming Seminar at Le Meridien in Balluta.

Last year, the country generated €15.6 million in revenue, an increase of 35 per cent from the previous year.

"The government sees such an increase not as an increase in tax generated, but as an increase ... Read More

Online gaming employees spend millions on property, leisure

They’re single, live in flash apartments, and earn thousands of euros every month: iGaming employees live it up, DAVID DARMANIN finds out

The online gaming industry’s direct contribution to the Maltese economy this year has amounted to €15.6 million, according to government statistics.

But a gaming executive based in Malta has said the figure is likely to be as much as €30 million, when taking into account the spending of the industry’s highly-paid staff.

Speaking to MaltaToday, Aj Thompson, the Chief Operating Officer of Malta-based gaming company Tain Operations, said the figure published by the finance minister was only “taxable revenue, not counting the value left here by people working in this industry”.

“According to studies we conducted, the added value left by em ... Read More

Government revenue from iGaming to reach €19m this year

Government revenue from the iGaming industry is expected to reach €19 million this year, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said yesterday.

Addressing an iGaming seminar held at Le Meridien Hotel in St Julian’s yesterday, Mr Fenech said that over the last five years, the Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA) processed more than 500 applications for a remote gaming licence.

Rem ... Read More

Online Gambling Regulations Benchmarked in Malta

It is complex and somewhat confusing to the average individual but as the world of online gambling continues to expand in all directions the legal framework for operators has also made great strides. Internet gambling was in it's infancy as little as ten years ago but now as the industry matures and is creating an economy of it's own it is going through just a few growing pains.

Understanding how remote gambling is regulated within the EU is di ... Read More

Setback to Gaming Industry

Malta's lucrative internet gaming industry suffered a major blow yesterday after Europe's top court ruled that EU member states could ban gambling websites.

The judgment was delivered in a case filed by Bwin, one of the largest internet gambling companies in Europe with subsidiaries in Malta, against the Portuguese state monopoly.

Online internet companies across the EU have been fighting member states such as France, The Netherlands and Germany that insist on protecting their state monopolies to eliminate rising competition from online betting companies registered in other EU member states.

Yesterday's judgment, which can be interpreted as favouri ... Read More

New CEO at the Lotteries and Gaming Authority

Mr Reuben Portanier has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA).

Mr Portanier, an economics graduate from the University of Malta, has senior management experience in the ICT industry and in Management Consultancy, where he recently occupied the positions of Group Chief Officer (Strategy and Business Development) with the Datatrak Group and Chief Information Officer with MITTS Ltd (no ... Read More

EU considers increasing regulation in gambling sector

A new approach towards the gambling industry in the EU is currently under discussion in Brussels as various member states originally opposed to EU regulation in this sector are signalling a change of heart.

According to EU sources, although there are no immediate plans to impose some new regulatory regime on the EU’s multi-million-euro gambling industry, there are efforts to have at least more collaboration and less, monopolistic practices.

The European Commission is currently discussing a new document to be presented to competition ministers next month highlighting the need for a common approach towards the gambling ind ... Read More

Regulation is paramount

Speech by Finance Minister Tonio Fenech, during the iGaming conference organised by the Chamber of Advocates in Valletta last Friday.

I am delighted to be opening this iGaming Conference.

It also gives me great satisfaction to have such an event organised by the Chamber of Advocates. This demonstrates that our government’s long-term strategy is successful and is now bearing fruit. Back in 1998 we felt that Malta should excel in various industries that would best suit our economy, size and infrastructure. We chose to take up amongst others the Remote Gaming industry.

Government’s objectives to attract remote gaming operators were not simply to generate direct revenues from taxation, but also to attract foreign direct investment and create job opportunities and high-value careers. We have managed to make Malta an attractive and quality jurisdiction, leveraging the number of assets available to us. Critically, one aspect that adds to ... Read More

New regulatory regime for e-gaming

The government is embarking on a major review of remote gaming legislative and regulatory frameworks to bring new technologies and business models within the regime.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said the new regulatory model would introduce more social responsibility without shackling the international aspect of operators’ licences and ventures.

Mr Fenech was speaking on Frida ... Read More

New acting CEO at Gaming Authority

Mr Michael Gonzi has been appointed Acting Chief Executive of the Lotteries and Gaming Authority, taking over from Mario Galea, who has resigned.

Gaming revenue jumps 7% - LGA

Total revenues for the gaming sector in Malta last year registered another positive year, with an increase of EUR 2.106 million or 6.82 per cent over the previous year.

According to figures issued by the Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA), which regulates gaming in Malta, last year the gaming sector registered total revenues of EUR 32.990 million as against EUR 30.884 million in 2006.

In the remote gaming sector, last year there were 197 licensed companies in 2007, an increase of 126 licensed companies over the previous year, when there were 71 licensed companies.

The total income generated from this sector last year totalled EUR 10,758,407 as against EUR 8,657,028 in 2006, an increase of EUR 2,101,379 or 24.27 per cent annually.

The revenue generated from the remote gaming sector last year includes EUR 10,100,000 in duty and EUR 658,407 in license fees as against EUR 8,300,000 in duty and EUR 357,350 in license fees in 2006, an increase of EUR 1,800,000 and EUR 301,379 respectively on an annual basi ... Read More

Online Gambling and Poker Firms Receive EC Assurance of EU Market - Gaming Stocks

Malta is one of the European Union’s (EU) top online gambling jurisdictions, online gaming just received a big boost when the European Commissioner for the Internal Market and Services Charlie McCreevy just praised the Malta Gaming Authority for it's professionalism.

Most importantly Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA) has just received assurances from Charlie McCreevy, the head of the European Commission's Internal ... Read More

LGA introduces tougher regulations for new e-gaming licenses

The Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA), which regulates the gaming sector in Malta, has tightened the belt on the release of new online gaming licenses in a bid to increase professionalism in the sector.

Philippe Warzee, the chief inspector of the LGA, was quoted by the Italian media as saying: “This is not a question of closing down licenses, but to discourage new ones and this for a very simple reason: like in the case of land-ba ... Read More

EU commissioner hits out at restrictions on gaming industry

The European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, Charlie McCreevy, said yesterday that the European Commission is doing all it can to tackle the restrictions imposed on the online gaming industry in Malta by a number of EU member states.

The European Commission has initiated infringement proceedings against 10 European Union member states and it is possible that it would start similar proceedings against another five member states.

In an interview with The Times during his one-day visit to the island, Mr McCreevy said the European Commission was pleased that Malta made itself an attractive location for many elements of the gaming industry. The Commission had absolutely no problems with Malta. The Commission has problems with EU member states that are imposing restrictions on foreign gaming operators that set up shop in those same countries.

The European Court of Justice had described gaming as a service like any other and that the fundamental principles of the Rome Treaty - freedom of establishment and freedom of movement of services - applied to this industry as much as it applied to oth ... Read More

Malta delays Italian gaming reform

Malta has delayed a regulatory reform in the Italian gaming sector by presenting a 'detailed critique' of the changes the Italian government had planned to put through.

As stipulated in EU law, Italy needs to receive the go-ahead from each member state in the European Union for its gaming regulatory changes to take place.

Italian authorities drew up a more attractive gambling regulations setup in ... Read More

eBusinessMalta.com at Macau Gaming Show

eBusinessMalta.com, a consortium of Malta's leading eBusiness organisations; will be attending the Asian iGaming Congress & Expo (AiG) in Macau, between February 26th and February 29th, 2008.

AiG is the longest-running gaming event of its kind and the only gambling conference in Asia that focuses solely on iGaming. AiG, now ... Read More

Gaming Authority operates strict monitoring of online gaming companies

Online betting is a sector that was non-existent six years ago and has since grown to today's four per cent of GDP, earning Lm14 million a year (tourism brings in Lm16 million) and employing around 1,000 people. Recently, online gaming has been the target of French and other news stories, stating that internet sites are not at all l ... Read More

Part of the Game

Malta has signalled it is setting no limits to growth in remote gaming as it projected itself as the industry's European hub at an exhibition held in London last week.

Meeting in Earl's Court, the world's most important gaming and gambling operators exhibited state-of-the-art casino equipment, the latest slot machines, and all imaginable services related to one of humankind's oldest vices. In a wing dedicated to remote gaming - which broadly refers to internet gambling, sports betting, and all sort of games of skill played through a computer or mobile phone - an entire wall was taken by Malta's stand which comprised the Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA), a number of gaming operators in Malta, as well as lawyers, accountants, ISPs and gaming consultants involved in the local industry.

It is widely acknowledged that one factor which makes Malta attractive for remote gaming operators is the fiscal aspect, because locally registered gaming companies are effectively taxed just 4.17 per cent when they operate as an international trading company (ITC). An ITC is subject to a corporate tax of 35 per cent on profits like any other Maltese company, but its non-resident shareholders can claim certain refunds which reduce the tax considerably.

However, according to LGA chairman Joe Zammit Maempel, it is more the rigidity of Malta's regulations which is attracting gaming operators: "The Malta seal gives consumers a guarantee that the gaming operator they are choosing is subject to serious regulation, and remote gaming operators want that guarantee to attract customers. When it comes to fiscal incentives, we have little or no advantage on other jurisdictions."

Being the only ... Read More