The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is continuing to foster a strong relationship with the Gaming Commission of Ghana, recently hosting the delegation to discuss gaming regulations, compliance processes, anti-money laundering supervision, and criminal probity assessments. The delegation from Ghana praised MGA for their invaluable industry insight, recognising that they should take a page out of the authority’s book and base their processes and procedures after their own.
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This was a fruitful meeting, particularly for the Ghanaian delegation, as it was given the opportunity to understand the ins and outs of adopting the right framework from an already-established authority when it comes to regulatory practices. Without a doubt, any possible updates in the near or distant future would be relevant to both existing licensed operators as well as new no deposit casinos who have started making a name for themselves within the sector.
Building Global Partnerships
Kobby Annan, the Deputy Commissioner of the Ghanaian Gaming Commission, stated that the visit shed light on the importance of working with stakeholders to gain a broader understanding of the different enforcement approaches available and various guidelines. It also served as a reminder of how Ghana’s regulatory framework can benefit from a shared network of resources.
Kinga Warda, MGA’s Chief of Policy and International Affairs also added that the Authority championed the distribution of knowledge by establishing global partnerships, to continue to improve the sustainability and integrity of the gaming industry as a whole. Warda continued to highlight the significance of the MGA collaboration with the Gaming Commission of Ghana, helping to foster a transparent and safe gaming environment.
Responsible Gambling Behaviour
The MGA and the Ghanaian Gaming Commission are both passionate about promoting safe gambling behaviours. In fact, at the start of this year MGA made changes to its Player Protection Direction calling for licensees to monitor specific markers of harm to detect and address problem gambling instances. These markers include the amount and frequency of deposits, reversal of withdrawals pending the processing and the use of multiple payment methods.
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The new rules require B2C licensees to introduce effective measures and processes to identify players who are at risk of problem gambling by implementing behaviour monitoring systems and analytical tools, as well as ensuring that their staff is well equipped to handle such situations. If an instance of problem gambling has been identified, the licence holder must then take the appropriate steps to prevent the situation from developing further.
Additionally, the MGA reported that the number of players betting with Malta-licensed sites has hit record heights, with the number of active player accounts reaching 19.3 million. This exceeds the previous recorded amount of 19.0 million. The recent increase can be attributed to the 8.9 million new accounts being registered, most of which are players aged between 18 and 24. As such, it is becoming more and more important to ensure that players are protected, especially when they are young and inexperienced.
The Right Time
MGA’s dedication to continuing to push forward responsible gambling initiatives is evident in its new partnership with the Gaming Commission of Ghana. Just like Malta, Ghana is experiencing a similar level of rapid growth, and as such, it is essential to put forth the right rules and regulations to ensure all players enjoy a secure gaming experience that guarantees the integrity of the industry. Moreover, the online gambling industry can help boost Ghana’s economy by generating revenue and providing jobs for the community.
Additionally, as internet accessibility continues to improve within the country, extending its reach to more rural areas, we can expect to see further growth as more and more international operators seek out appropriate licensing. Ghana also houses a large population of young adults looking to jump into the online gaming space, and as such, it is becoming increasingly evident that they need to continue to follow MGA’s frameworks to establish a booming gaming industry.
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