The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has called on all companies licensed to operate betting services to “maintain extreme vigilance” during the FIFA World Cup 2026 due to the threat of suspicious betting activity.
The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, from June 11 to July 19.
Given the interest generated by the sporting event, the MGA has called for strengthened vigilance in light of the growing risk of match manipulation.
The authority has placed special emphasis on platform monitoring mechanisms, with the aim of preventing and detecting suspicious behavior in a high-volume betting market.
Operators licensed in Malta are required to report unusual activity through the Suspicious Betting Reporting Mechanism.
“The MGA reaffirms its commitment to protecting the integrity of sport and sporting ethics and integrity in betting markets. We remind all authorized companies of their obligations under the current regulatory framework,” they stated.
The MGA warns of regulatory measures
The regulatory body has stated that platforms must adopt “rigorous” measures to guarantee integrity.
These protocols may include designating a “Sporting Integrity Contact Point” and actively cooperating with the MGA’s Sporting Integrity Unit, as well as with other integrity bodies.
Regarding marketing and advertising during the competition, the MGA has emphasized that both licensees and third parties providing services to them will have to comply with the country’s Commercial Communications Regulations.
“Advertising must be socially responsible. It must not be targeted at minors or vulnerable persons, nor should it cause them harm, either directly or indirectly. Taking into account the risk associated with hosting sporting events of this magnitude, we expect authorized companies to adopt a proactive, risk-based approach throughout the tournament,” they noted.
“Failure to comply with these obligations may result in regulatory action,” it stated.