The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has urged all licensed betting operators to enhance their monitoring and reporting procedures ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that the tournament’s scale and popularity could increase the risk of betting-related manipulation.
In a notice issued to licensees, the regulator stressed that bookmakers must closely monitor betting activity throughout the tournament and promptly report any suspicious behaviour through the MGA’s Suspicious Betting Reporting Mechanism. The World Cup will run from 11 June to 19 July across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the expanded competition expected to generate record levels of betting activity.
The MGA reminded operators that their responsibilities are set out under Malta’s Gaming Authorisations and Compliance Directive, particularly Regulation 43, which requires the timely reporting of suspicious betting patterns. The authority also encouraged operators to follow its guidance on sports integrity and suspicious betting reporting requirements.
As part of its integrity framework, the regulator expects operators to maintain a designated Sports Integrity Point of Contact, strengthen internal controls and cooperate with the MGA Sports Integrity Unit as well as other relevant integrity organisations. The authority warned that failure to meet these obligations could lead to regulatory action.
The MGA noted that major sporting events create a higher-risk environment due to increased betting volumes, a wider range of available markets and greater public interest. These factors can make suspicious activity more difficult to detect, prompting the regulator to call for a proactive, risk-based approach during the tournament.
The notice also highlighted the MGA’s ongoing cooperation with FIFA in efforts to protect sporting competitions from corruption and betting-related misconduct. Operators were reminded that marketing and advertising activities linked to the World Cup must comply with Malta’s commercial communications rules and remain socially responsible, particularly with regard to minors and vulnerable individuals.
Malta joins regulators in several other jurisdictions, including South Africa, France and the Netherlands, which have recently issued similar warnings ahead of the World Cup as authorities increase scrutiny of betting integrity and gambling advertising around the tournament.