The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has called on licensed betting operators to increase their scrutiny of betting activity during the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlighting the heightened integrity risks that often accompany major international sporting events.
With the tournament running from 11 June to 19 July across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the regulator issued a notice reminding licensees of their responsibilities under Malta’s gaming regulations. The authority said operators must actively monitor betting activity, identify unusual wagering patterns, and promptly report suspicious transactions through its established reporting channels.
The initiative forms part of the MGA’s broader efforts to protect both sports competitions and betting markets from manipulation. The authority is working alongside FIFA as part of these integrity efforts and has stressed that compliance obligations remain in force throughout the tournament.
Operators Face Increased Reporting Expectations
In its communication to licensees, the MGA highlighted Regulation 43 of the Gaming Authorisations and Compliance Directive (Directive 3 of 2018), which requires operators involved in sports betting to report suspicious betting activity and circumstances that may indicate potential manipulation of sporting events. The regulator instructed operators to use its Suspicious Betting Reporting Mechanism when submitting reports.
The authority also pointed operators toward its Guidance Paper on Suspicious Betting Reporting Requirements and Other Sports Integrity Matters [pdf], which outlines reporting procedures and integrity expectations. According to the guidance, licensees must notify the regulator immediately once sufficient suspicion exists and, in any event, no later than three days after first becoming aware of irregular activity.
The guidance document further explains that operators should provide detailed information when reporting suspicious activity, including descriptions of affected betting markets, timing of wagers, account information, reasons for concern, and details of any other agencies that have been informed. The MGA notes that effective reporting plays a key role in helping authorities assess potential manipulation and coordinate investigations with sports governing bodies and law enforcement agencies.
Alongside reporting requirements, the regulator reminded licensees to maintain strong internal controls. This includes appointing a Sports Integrity Point of Contact and ensuring cooperation with the MGA Sports Integrity Unit and other organisations involved in protecting sports integrity.
The regulator also reiterated that operators should adopt what it described as a proactive and risk-based approach throughout the competition period because of the elevated risks often associated with major sporting events.
Advertising and Governance Remain Under Scrutiny
The MGA’s notice extended beyond suspicious betting monitoring. The authority reminded licensees and any third parties acting on their behalf that all marketing activities must comply with Malta’s Commercial Communications Regulations.
According to the regulator, advertising campaigns connected to the World Cup must remain socially responsible and avoid targeting minors or vulnerable individuals. The MGA stressed that operators remain accountable for ensuring their promotional activity complies with these standards throughout the tournament.
The authority stated: “Advertising must be socially responsible.”
“It must also not target or otherwise cause harm to minors and vulnerable persons, whether directly or indirectly.”
The regulator warned that any failure to meet integrity, reporting, governance, or advertising obligations could lead to enforcement measures.
The MGA’s guidance framework places significant emphasis on collaboration between operators and regulators. The authority’s Sports Betting Integrity department, established in 2019, gathers information related to suspicious betting activity and works with regulators, law enforcement agencies, betting monitoring organisations, sporting bodies, and gaming operators to support investigations into irregular wagering patterns.
Regulators Across Several Markets Issue Similar Warnings
Malta is not alone in raising concerns ahead of the World Cup. Several gambling regulators have issued advisories in recent weeks as betting activity is expected to increase significantly during the tournament.
In South Africa, the National Gambling Board warned consumers about illegal betting operations that frequently emerge around major sporting events. Acting CEO Lungile Dukwana said unlicensed operators often approach potential customers through social media platforms, messaging applications, SMS links, and unofficial mobile apps.
“Once payment is made, victims either lose communication with the operators or are pressured into making further payments. The illegal operators mainly target victims through Facebook advertisements, WhatsApp messages, Telegram groups, SMS push links, fake social media pages and mobile applications downloaded outside official app stores,” Dukwana said.
Authorities have cautioned that activity linked to illegal operators can distort betting markets and undermine confidence in licensed gambling services.
Meanwhile, regulators in the Netherlands have announced enhanced supervision of gambling advertising during the tournament and warned operators that breaches of gambling laws could trigger enforcement action. In France, the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) launched a campaign focused on reducing gambling-related harm after research indicated that 41% of respondents planned to place a monetary wager on World Cup matches.
The coordinated warnings across multiple jurisdictions reflect broader concerns about match manipulation, suspicious betting activity, and consumer protection during one of the world’s largest sporting events.