MGA and MFSA Finalize Bilateral Understanding

MGA and MFSA Finalize Bilateral Understanding

A new step toward regulatory cooperation has been taken in Malta, as the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that redefines the scope of their collaboration. While the two authorities have historically worked together under broader multilateral frameworks, this bilateral agreement formalizes a more targeted approach to regulatory alignment.

The signed memorandum introduces a structured framework for the two bodies to coordinate more closely on matters that fall within their respective areas of oversight. Though both institutions operate in distinct sectors, gaming and financial services, the increasingly interconnected nature of compliance, oversight, and enforcement has prompted a review of how best to coordinate efforts. The MoU reflects a recognition that issues such as due diligence, supervision, and knowledge transfer require tailored mechanisms beyond the previously established multilateral protocols.

This development does not replace the existing multi-party understanding among the MGA, MFSA, Sanctions Monitoring Board (SMB), and Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU). That agreement remains active, particularly in domains involving anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorism financing, and the monitoring of activities that could relate to the spread of weapons of mass destruction. However, the newly signed MoU between MGA and MFSA seeks to broaden the range of collaborative topics beyond the scope of those specific concerns.

In addition to improving the flow of regulatory information between the two institutions, the agreement introduces a formal component related to education and skill development. With regulatory environments evolving rapidly, both authorities have expressed interest in reinforcing internal competencies. The arrangement enables coordinated training initiatives and professional development efforts focused on addressing areas of mutual interest, particularly where supervisory functions overlap.

The agreement follows a pattern observed across various jurisdictions where regulators are opting for targeted bilateral agreements to complement their broader collaborative frameworks. Such arrangements often emerge from practical needs: when two entities oversee separate sectors but find themselves regulating entities with overlapping activities or risks. In this case, the presence of companies operating across both financial services and gaming sectors in Malta provides a clear incentive for coordinated supervision.

Charles Mizzi, Chief Executive Officer of the Malta Gaming Authority, commented on the significance of the move, noting that the agreement reflects an ongoing effort to formalize regulatory collaboration. According to Mizzi, beyond simply creating an infrastructure for exchanging information, the MoU also encourages a shared regulatory culture built on continuous development and aligned standards.

Kenneth Farrugia, who leads the Malta Financial Services Authority, added that the agreement forms part of a broader strategy to refine the authority's partnerships with domestic institutions. He underscored the importance of aligning enforcement efforts and due diligence practices, particularly as market participants increasingly operate across multiple regulated spaces. Farrugia also pointed out that the agreement includes elements that focus on enhancing the skills of supervisory staff—an area that is often overlooked in regulatory discussions but which plays a central role in the effectiveness of institutional oversight.

This formalization of cooperation between MGA and MFSA comes at a time when Malta is continuing to adjust to ongoing international scrutiny of its regulatory and financial systems. Strengthening communication between key regulators may help reduce redundancies in oversight while improving institutional responses to emerging challenges.

While the memorandum is not legally binding in the manner of statutory regulations, it lays the groundwork for a more integrated approach to governance across sectors that are increasingly influenced by common risk factors. It also suggests a longer-term strategy where institutional resilience is supported not only through rules and enforcement, but also through shared knowledge and operational understanding.

The MoU sets no expiration and may evolve further as both regulators encounter new operational demands or sector developments. Its flexibility allows the authorities to revisit or expand the arrangement depending on future priorities. For now, it reinforces the groundwork for deeper coordination between Malta's two most prominent oversight institutions, without duplicating existing responsibilities or generating bureaucratic overlap.