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Malta Gaming Authority launched its first of a series focus groups to address problem gambling and the effects it has on the Maltese community as part of Safer Gambling Week.
The session brought together key stakeholders, such as Caritas Malta and Agenzija Sedqa. It also included the OASI Foundation, and the Responsible Gambling Foundation.
The tool will be available in both English and Maltese. It will ask a series of questions that will help individuals determine whether gambling has harmed their lives. The tool will then provide recommendations based on the answers of the users and direct them towards appropriate support services.
The tool will be further refined to maximize its effectiveness with the help of organisations that have experience in helping individuals who are affected by gambling addiction.
Anna Maria Vella – Clinical Chair of Agenzija Sedqa – hailed this focus group as “welcome initiative”, which brought together an expert team from different disciplines.
It is always better to work together than in silos. We can all learn from one another to become more effective.
Louis Bellizzi said that the MGA was in a unique situation to coordinate the nation’s effort to alleviate gambling addictions.
The Authority has taken many steps in recent years to promote safer gambling. These include regular reviews of responsible gambling and the enforcement of stricter regulations.
The MGA monitors closely the implementation of operators’ behavioural monitoring systems (self-exclusion system, responsible marketing practices) and self-exclusion systems.
The Authority is focusing on areas of high risk and refining their supervisory approach so that it becomes more dynamic and data driven. This will ensure responsible gambling practices continue to be maintained and continually improved in order to protect players.
The MGA’s initiatives are closely aligned with those of the European Gaming and Betting Association’s (EGBA) initiative to create a unified European Standard for identifying markers that cause harm. The MGA has actively participated in this initiative. It works closely with other regulators and industry professionals to create a standard that will allow early detection of behaviors indicative of problem gaming.
The Authority’s active involvement in these initiatives demonstrates its commitment to foster a responsible, transparent and ethical gaming sector both locally and throughout Europe.
