The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the single, independent, regulatory body that is responsible for the governance of all online and land-based gaming activities in Malta, has revealed that it has come to the conclusion that Fantasy Sports is different to Games of Chance in terms of licensing and regulation because of the element of skill and knowledge that is involved in the vertical.
The Malta Gaming Authority’s perception relates specifically to Fantasy Sports where players choose virtual representations of real-life athletes, where the points and value associated to an athlete emulate the athlete’s performance in actual sporting events as well as where the outcome of the sport is established predominantly by skill and knowledge and not by chance.
The European Commission has been notified by the Maltese Government of the Skill Game Regulations (which will include Fantasy Sports) that it has proposed. The Maltese Government has, meanwhile, published a legal notice, which for the moment exempts Fantasy Sports operators from being required to obtain a gambling license under the Lotteries and Other Games Act or by the Remote Gaming Regulations until such time as proposed Games of Skill legislation has been implemented.
The Malta Gaming Authority is, however, requesting Fantasy Sports operators to be formally recognized by the Authority by notifying it of their operations of their own free will but it will, however, be compulsory for them to meet a number of general conditions that are applicable under general law.
