Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) Explained for NZ Players

Who doesn’t love online casino gaming? Each online platform needs licensing and regulations to operate smoothly and safely; however, the question remains: who authorises this? To answer this question, among many others, I have researched one of the biggest names in the eGaming licensing sector:

MGA, or the Malta Gaming Authority, is a well-known company amongst the New Zealand gambling community. 

What is the Malta Gaming Authority?

The Malta Gaming Authority, or better known as MGA, is one of the safest and most trustworthy eGaming companies across the world. This European-based business operates both land-based and online casinos, ensuring that integrity and fairness are upheld across all sites under its jurisdiction. MGA is the main regulatory body for all gambling and gaming-related activities in Malta. It provides a range of jurisdictional and regulatory frameworks for companies across New Zealand and the globe. 

Benefits of MGA for Kiwis Playing Online Pokies in New Zealand

MGA has a range of benefits that put them above any other jurisdiction company, and I have conveniently listed some of these benefits below:

Globally Renowned

As mentioned, MGA is renowned among casino goers worldwide. Their most prominent fan base is in New Zealand, with many popular casinos under their regulatory oversight, providing an immense number of games for players like me.

Reputable and Trustworthy

Based on comments and reviews, MGA is one of the most trustworthy eGaming licensors on the market. Their jurisdiction and rules do not bend for anyone, resulting in immense confidence from casino platforms and players everywhere.

Decades of Experience

MGA opened its doors in early 2001 and has been providing services to online casino sites for over 20 years. This level of experience, along with their trusted licensing practices, makes them among the most qualified companies in the iGaming industry.

Player Protection

Any casino site that displays the MGA licensing logo on its platform provides an immediate sense of trust and safety to any online casino player, me included! Player data, such as personal information and financial details, is kept safe from third parties and hackers, allowing for one of the most protected experiences to date. 

MGA Services

MGA offers a range of services for both gamers and companies within the iGaming sector, assisting both parties in keeping up with iGaming news and events from this company. I have provided a concise list below of their primary services offered:

Annual Reporting

MGA provides comprehensive reports and financial statements from audits annually for each financial year. According to a report summary, these reports outline activities and summarise the actions MGA took part in throughout the year. The report highlights key events and endeavours to underscore their importance, along with updates on iGaming in Malta.

Gambling Licenses

Gambling licenses are not issued to just anyone, which is why MGA takes it upon itself to grant the correct licenses to specific authorised casinos. The jurisdiction and licensing requirements depend on the site’s intended activities; for example, betting and online casino games require separate licenses, so if a company wants to provide both, it needs to obtain two licenses from the MGA.

iGaming Company Support

iGaming companies can receive support and cooperation from MGA for verification tools, player identification strategies, and standardised audits of online casino sites, games, and fairness. MGA also provides technical assistance to support activity monitoring and the implementation of restrictions to prevent cheating and bias. 

Activity Monitoring

Just as companies monitor players’ activity, MGA monitors companies’ activity to ensure compliance with MGA regulations and reduce cheating and fraudulent behaviour. Any platform that violates these guidelines has its license revoked immediately to ensure legality, security, and player effectiveness.

Player Protection

Similar to the security measures in place to ensure the legality of companies, MGA also provides a range of additional restrictions for gamers. An example of this is the ‘self-exclusion’ option many sites offer; it reduces the time and money a player can spend at a gambling site to ensure responsible gambling practices are employed.

Top 5 MGA-Licensed Online Casinos in New Zealand

MGA has a plethora of online casinos under their jurisdiction, but how can you choose the best ones? To help fellow Kiwi players with this, I have provided an easy list below of the top 5 best MGA-licensed casinos:  

Conclusion

MGA has a great deal of trust placed in it by online sites and players, and it is easy to see why. Their range of reputable services, thousands of trusted reviews from players and companies alike, and their list of popular, secure casinos under their belt make it hard not to love them!

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