Malta Gaming Authority's ESG Approval Seal marks a new era of online gaming. (Image: Ralf Liebhold / Alamy)
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is a rising hot topic matter within the gambling industry. Ignore it at your peril. There is no doubt that operators and investors are having to learn more about ESG and its implications for the gambling industry around responsible and sustainable practices.
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has officially issued its first Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Code Approval Seals to licensees within the online gaming industry. This marks a significant step in the Authority's ongoing efforts to advance responsible and sustainable practices in the sector.
This initiative is a continuation of the MGA's ESG Code of Good Practice, which was introduced as a voluntary framework last year, inviting operators to submit their ESG disclosure returns. It encompasses 19 topics organised under the three pillars of environmental, social, and governance, providing online gaming companies with a strategic roadmap to enhance their sustainability reporting.
As a result of the inaugural annual reporting cycle, 14 gaming operators have received the ESG Code Approval Seal.
The Code offers two levels of reporting: Tier 1, which sets foundational ESG standards, and Tier 2, which aims for more ambitious sustainability goals. The approval seals are valid for one year and provide operators with the opportunity to renew and potentially advance their reporting tier in subsequent years.
MGA CEO Charles Mizzi emphasised the significance of this initiative, stating, "We believe this initiative will significantly enhance the industry’s reputation and sustainability credentials.
"By integrating ESG considerations into their operations, gaming companies not only contribute to the wellbeing of society and the environment but also strengthen the trust and confidence that consumers, investors, and regulators have in the industry. This initiative sends a clear message: sustainability, in the broadest sense of the word, is integral to the future of the gaming sector."
Most of my career was spent in teaching including at one of the UK’s top private schools. I left London in 2000 and set up home in Wales raising four beautiful children. I enrolled at University where I studied Photography and film and gained a Degree and subsequently a Masters Degree. In 2014 I helped launch a new local newspaper and managed to get front and back page as well as 6 filler pages on a weekly basis. I saw that journalism was changing and was a pioneer of hyperlocal news in Wales. In 2017 I started one of the first 24/7 free independent news sites for Wales. Having taken that to a successful business model I was keen for a new challenge. Joining the company is exciting for me especially as it is a new role in Europe. I am keen to establish myself and help others to do the same.
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