Malta Publishes Voluntary AI Gaming Charter Following Sector Study
The MGA and MDIA have released Malta’s AI Gaming Charter as a voluntary code following a study that revealed uneven AI maturity and limited use in core functions like risk management and payments. It sets expectations for disclosure, fairness, data privacy, human oversight and accountability. The framework aims to protect players while supporting responsible innovation.
SCCG Take — This charter gives operators a practical roadmap to align AI deployment with regulatory expectations. Licensees that act on it now will reduce exposure if authorities later move to mandatory standards.
Malta’s AI Gaming Charter, hinted at for a 2026 publication date, is now a fact. The voluntary code of conduct gives gambling licence holders structured guidance for transparent, accountable and fair adoption of artificial intelligence. Developed jointly by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA), the document follows an MGA study that found active operator engagement with the technology alongside uneven levels of maturity, governance readiness and risk awareness.
The study showed that only a minority of respondents maintain a formal AI strategy, with most still developing one. AI adoption remains very limited across dynamic odds setting, risk management, regulatory reporting, player acquisition, player onboarding and payments. By contrast, the most established use cases centre on operational optimisation, data analytics, customer support and responsible gambling behavioural modelling. Technical readiness across the sector registers as relatively positive, yet the overall stance remains mixed and cautious.
Guidelines for Responsible AI Use
The charter directs licence holders to scale internal governance according to the potential impact on players, separating lower-impact tools from higher-impact applications. Operators must disclose the role, purpose and limitations of each AI system to users at the point of interaction. Fairness obligations include maintaining a catalogue of specific fairness objectives, ongoing monitoring of equitable treatment and the consistent use of representative datasets. Privacy protection and GDPR requirements must be embedded by design into AI infrastructures. Human supervision is required across all AI decision pathways, with licensees and staff retaining ultimate accountability for outcomes. Collaboration with the MGA and MDIA through workshops, feedback and self-assessment tools is encouraged.
Kenneth Brincat, CEO of the MDIA, said: “Trust is fundamental to the responsible adoption of AI. As its use becomes increasingly embedded across the gaming sector, organisations need practical ways to understand where AI is being used, manage the associated risks and ensure that accountability and human oversight remain firmly in place. The charter translates these principles into practical, sector-specific guidance, bringing together MDIA’s expertise in AI governance and the MGA’s deep understanding of the gaming sector.” The guidance, as reported by SBC News, seeks to align technological progress with player safety and integrity without removing human oversight.
Where the Risk Lies
The voluntary character of the charter leaves room for continued uneven adoption, particularly where operators lag in governance maturity. Without mandatory requirements, some licensees may under-invest in the required disclosures, monitoring and accountability structures. The emphasis on human supervision underscores a core limitation: AI tools cannot replace regulatory guardrails or operator responsibility. Forward-looking operators will treat the charter as a baseline for internal alignment, positioning themselves ahead of any shift toward binding rules.
Reporting: SBC News
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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