The application process has been harmonised and today applicants can submit all the required information at application stage and the Malta Gaming Authority binds itself to evaluate all information through multiple internal process streams.
At application stage, the Malta Gaming Authority assesses whether an applicant:
- Is fit and proper to conduct gaming business.
- Is correctly prepared from a business strategy perspective.
- Has the operational and statutory requirements to meet the obligations prescribed by law and policy.
- Has correctly implemented and tested, on a technical environment, what has been applied for, before going live.
i) The Fit and Proper Test
The Malta Gaming Authority conducts a fit and proper exercise on the applicant by assessing all information related to persons involved in finance and management and on the business viability of the operation. As part of this process, the Malta Gaming Authority conducts probity investigations with other national and international regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies.
ii) Business Planning
The Malta Gaming Authority conducts an in-depth financial analysis of the applicant’s business plan. This plan is expected to have a detailed forecast of the operation, inclusive of marketing and distribution strategies, HR plan and growth targets.
iii) Operational and Statutory Compliance
The applicant is examined on the instruments required to conduct the business. This process includes examining incorporation documents, the games, the business processes related to conducting the remote games, the rules, terms, conditions and procedures of the games, the application architecture and system architecture of the gaming and control systems.
iv) System Review
Once all three previous stages are successfully completed, the Malta Gaming Authority will inform the applicant that the application was successful and will invite the applicant to implement the operation onto a technical environment in preparation to go live. The applicant will be allowed 60 days to complete this technical roll-out, after which the application will be considered as suspended and subject to re- application. At any stage within those 60 days, the applicant may request an external systems audit (performed by an independent third party contracted by the Malta Gaming Authority against a fixed market price). The systems audit will audit the live environment against the proposed application.
At this stage the Malta Gaming Authority expects minimal deviation from the application. If there are significant changes to the gaming system, the applicant will have to re-apply by filing a new application.
