Malta Passes Bill to Protect Offshore Operators

Last week, lawmakers in Malta's parliament have voted to pass Bill 55, which specifically provides legal cover for Malta-based gaming operators from legal liability from foreign entities.

The bill was signed into law by Malta President George Vella, which will see Malta refusing to recognise or enforce foreign enforcement orders for operators that are holding an MGA licence. The move will help improve the status of Malta's gaming licence for operators, as it provides an added incentive for groups to obtain their certification.

There are a large number of big betting brands that hold a Maltese licence, and sometimes these operators have seen legal action from countries that have strict licencing schemes. Of note are Germany and Austria, which have gone after the likes of PokerStars, with a German court requiring the operator to pay back the losses of a player, deeming that the company was offering games illegally.

Many operators claim that an MGA licence allows them to offer services to the whole of Europe, with 888 making the most ardent stand in this position. Others, meanwhile, have moved to pay out in the event that they're sued, while others avoid particular markets altogether.

Casino Listings News is following this story and will update readers as appropriate.