MALTA GAMING AUTHORITY LOWERS MINIMUM RETURN TO PLAYER REQUIREMENT TO 85%

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has amended its Player Protection Directive, lowering the minimum return to player (RTP) from 92% to 85%. 

Return to Player (RTP) percentage is the theoretical amount that a slot pays back to a player, on average, over a large number of spins (usually in the millions). For example, a slot with a 96% RTP can be expected to return €96 for every €100 a player spends. It must be stressed, that RTP is a very rough guide, and variability over smaller numbers of spins, will still result in some players making big wins.

Applicable to both land-based and online gambling operators, the new RTP requirements follow closed consultations with industry stakeholders, including consultants, business-to-consumer operators, and business-to-business providers. 

According to the MGA, the consultations discussed issues including the implications of a change to RTP on products, operations, and competitiveness, and followed a comparative analysis of RTP in other EU jurisdictions. 

The MGA says it will be publishing a policy paper summarising the points of the discussions and competitive analysis, and that further amendments to its Player Protection Directive, focused on protecting minors and vulnerable people, will be following.

AYO.NEWS says:

While this move is bound to be welcomed by the industry, we’re pretty sure the all important online slot reviewers aren’t going to look favourably on any slots with an 85% RTP – so it’s going to be a brave operator indeed that takes advantage of the change! 

Staying with the MGA, last month the regulator stoked yet more controversy by promoting former Deputy Chairman, Ryan Pace, to the position of Chairman. Pace is a close associate of current Maltese Prime Minister, Robert Abela, but several industry figures have expressed reservations about his lack of industry experience and knowledge.