Malta and Jersey to Cooperate in Online Gambling

Malta’s Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA) and Jersey Gambling Commission (JGC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding about a bilateral cooperation between the bodies to develop measures for responsible gaming. The LGA and JGC also agreed to join efforts to improve their own business and regulatory practices.

Both Malta and Jersey are in a special position. The island of Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands.

Jersey is not part of the United Kingdom, but is a self-governing parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with its own financial, legal and judicial systems. Therefore, British gambling laws are not applicable on the island.

Malta was under British crown for a long time, and until today has still strong ties both in terms of populace and language to Britain. The Mediterranean country hosts some of the busiest British internet casino establishments.

The two commissions recognized common values in their internet gambling regulation and agreed to have potential cooperative assistances between them. The agreement aims to improve each jurisdiction’s gaming services in the long run.

The parties also recognized the importance of consumer protection and formation of protective regulations that are “…fair, responsible and secure provision of gaming services, implemented through robust and comprehensive systems, mechanisms and monitoring.”

The MoU lets the Malta and Jersey authorities share their best industry practices and aim to work out common certification standards, player protection measures, employee exchange programs and technological know-how sharing.

One important topic included was the recognition of each other’s financial institutions in gaming transactions, with special regards to some online sportsbooks in United Kingdom.

The Memorandum was signed by the heads of the commissions: Reuben Portanier, CEO of the Lotteries and Gaming Authority and Jason Lane, Chief Executive of the Jersey Gambling Commission.