In H1 2022, the number of players on Malta-licensed sites reaches an all-time high

After declining the previous year, the number of players gambling with Malta-licensed operators reached a new high in the first half of 2022.

After declining in 2021, the number of active player accounts with Malta-licensed operators increased by 8.7% year on year to 19.3 million. This surpassed the previous peak of 19.0 million set in the final six months of 2020.

The increase was mostly attributable to the creation of a record 8.9 million new accounts.

Much of the increase was attributable to an increase in the number of younger players, with the proportion of players aged 18 to 24 increasing to nearly 25% of the entire player base. Furthermore, the Malta gaming industry was found to have provided €573 million in gross value added during the first half of the year, or 8.0% of the Maltese economy. The total gross value added increased by 12.4% compared to the first half of 2021.

As of June 2022, the sector employed 10,861 people, over 600 higher than the previous year.

“The resilience of the Malta gaming industry during these trying times is largely attributed to its ability to remain flexible and adapt to change, while being supported by the MGA’s continued efforts to ensure that Malta remains a competitive and reputable jurisdiction of establishment,” the MGA said.

Revenue breakdown by licence type

While the MGA did not disclose a total income amount, it did specify the percentage of revenue generated by each game type.

Type 1 licences, which cover online casino games and comparable items, reached a new high of 71.5% of total revenue. Slots accounted for 79.8% of this total, or 57.1% of total income.

On the other hand, revenue from Type 2 licences, which cover sportsbooks, fell to 21.3%. Type 3 licences, which cover peer-to-peer gambling like as poker and betting exchanges, accounted for 7.1% of total income.

Malta gambling regulation

The MGA avoided the most severe forms of enforcement activity. Following the cancellation of only seven licences in 2021, it cancelled only one in the first half of 2022. This was a significant decrease from previous years, with 14 licences cancelled in 2019 and 12 in 2020.

The number of licenced internet firms in Malta has reached a new high of 346, including 199 operators.

During the year, the regulator also assessed 20 licence applications. It granted six licences and denied one application.

By fLEXI tEAM