The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is pleased to publish the results of its first ESG Code of Good Practice data collection exercise. Fourteen online gaming licensees voluntarily took part in this exercise, submitting detailed information about their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices for 2023.

This marks a milestone in the sector’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and responsibility. The primary objective of this initiative is to promote greater ESG awareness, encourage transparent reporting, and highlight the progress already being made within the online gaming sector. It also reflects broader national priorities, aligning with the goals of Malta Vision 2050, a long-term development framework aimed at driving sustainable growth, resilience, and improved quality of life across all sectors.

The 2023 reporting cycle revealed positive strides across several areas, such as contributions to community initiatives, the tracking of energy use and emissions, and strong responsible gambling measures, with many licensees going beyond what is required by regulation. The report also highlights opportunities for further progress. Continued emphasis is encouraged in areas such as the implementation of ESG governance frameworks, the development of more structured data tracking mechanisms, and enhanced alignment with long-term ESG objectives. Additionally, there is potential to strengthen gender representation at executive level and to broaden the reach of ESG-focused training across senior leadership.

All participating licensees have been awarded the ESG Code Approval Seal, with recognition at either Tier 1 or Tier 2 based on the level of alignment with the Code. This seal acknowledges both foundational efforts and more aspirational commitments to ESG.

While the MGA welcomes the outcomes of this first cycle, it acknowledges that the data gathered does not represent the full spectrum of the sector, due to the small, self-selected sample size. Care has been taken to omit potentially sensitive or misleading data points in order to maintain confidentiality and avoid generalisations. Nonetheless, the insights offer valuable direction to guide further improvements across the sector.

The MGA encourages all online gaming operators to review the key takeaways of the report and consider participating in future ESG Code reporting cycles. Looking ahead, the MGA remains committed to fostering a collaborative and forward-thinking ESG culture. This initiative sets a precedent for ongoing dialogue, industry engagement, and continuous improvement.

A full copy of the report can be downloaded from here.

Enrolment for 2024 ESG Code Reporting now open

Following the publication of the 2023 ESG Code Insights Report, we are pleased to announce that enrolment is now open for the second cycle of ESG Code reporting for 2024. This provides an excellent opportunity for licensees to continue advancing their ESG efforts and contribute to the sector’s growth in sustainability and responsibility.

We encourage all interested licensees to sign up and play an active role in shaping the future of the online gaming sector.

The registration form is available here.