Malta moves to protect MGA-licensed firms from foreign litigation
President George Vella gives approval to amendment which will see Maltese courts refuse enforcement actions put forward by foreign bodies
Malta has beefed up its legislation to protect Malta Gaming Authority-licensed (MGA) firms from facing litigation in foreign markets.
Maltese President George Vella approved the amendments to the nation’s Gaming Act to provide further protection for MGA-licensed companies as furore over local legislation continues to rumble on.
The amendment, in theory, will prevent legal action being brought against a licensee, officer or relevant person should the supposed breach be legal under Maltese regulations.
It will also allow courts to refuse enforcement in Malta of any foreign decision in relation to gambling.
The seismic move will represent a legal issue for the likes of Norway and Austria, which have both vehemently denied that MGA-affiliated firms should be allowed to operate in the market.
However, the MGA argues that under EU law, its licensees are legally allowed to offer services throughout the bloc, regardless of local regulations.
In two high-profile cases, the Norwegian regulator and courts have repeatedly clamped down on Kindred Group for operating in the market.
Kindred is live in the market via its MGA-licensed Trannel subsidiary, but has been asked to vacate the market for not adhering to Norway’s quasi-monopoly.
Elsewhere, 888 and Flutter have both been targeted in Austria for offering online services.