The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has announced plans to repeal an EU requirement to remove references to its ODR Platform.
The MGA has confirmed it will repeal Article 13 of its Alternative Dispute Resolution Directive (Directive 5 of 2018), effective from 20 July 2025. This provides for the discontinuation of the Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform, in line with the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2024/3228, which officially repeals the previous Regulation (EU) No 524/2013, as reported by Gambling Insider.
All online B2C licensees will therefore need to remove references to the European Union (EU)’s ODR Platform from their terms and conditions. Previously, the platform was used as an online resource for consumers wanting to resolve disputes with EU businesses.
According to updated guidance from the MGA, licensees must take it upon themselves to remove any mention of the ODR platform from user-facing materials, in a push to avoid confusing messaging for users. For any ambiguity, the MGA has advised licensees to refer directly to the EU Regulation to make sure they’re compliant with both this compliance change and other obligations that may be relevant to them.
Gambling compliance in Malta
In 2024, the MGA issued 25 financial penalties and revoked eight licenses, as spotlighted in its recently published annual report. In the same year, 17 new licenses were granted, with more than 3,300 player complaints resolved.
That resulted in €84.1m ($90.3m) in revenue for the MGA, as the official regulatory body reported an increase in its overall operating surplus for the year.
While the MGA is following the EU’s lead in this case, not too long ago Malta passed a law to defy European laws,the country can “refuse recognition and, or enforcement” of any foreign judgment involving companies registered in Malta. This will affect several gambling companies that have set up a base in Malta to benefit from the favorable business terms on offer.
Featured image: Flickr, licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
