Malta Launches Charter for Responsible AI Use in Gaming
Malta.- 22 September 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com The Malta Gaming Authority, MGA, has launched an AI Gaming Charter providing the gaming industry with a sector-specific framework for the responsible, transparent and accountable use of artificial intelligence.
Developed alongside the Malta Digital Innovation Authority, MDIA, the initiative translates wider AI governance principles into practical guidance for gaming operations.
Voluntary Framework
Adoption of the AI Gaming Charter is not mandatory.
It is a voluntary, principles-based framework intended to complement existing legal and regulatory obligations.
The MGA nevertheless strongly encourages licensees to adopt its principles as a demonstration of commitment to ethical AI and sound governance.
Complementing the EU AI Act
The Charter does not replace the EU Artificial Intelligence Act or other applicable obligations.
Instead, it supplements the European framework with guidance tailored specifically to gaming.
Its principles also intersect with existing data-protection responsibilities under the GDPR.
Developed With the MDIA
The framework was jointly developed by the MGA and Malta Digital Innovation Authority.
The partnership combines gaming-specific regulatory expertise with specialist knowledge of AI governance and emerging technology.
Industry Consultation
The Charter follows an extensive engagement process.
Development included:
- Sector-wide surveys.
- Targeted discussions with licensees.
- A dedicated consultation.
- Engagement with technology specialists.
- Assessment of existing industry practices.
The objective was to ensure that the final framework remained practical and proportionate.
AI Already Embedded in Gaming
The MGA notes that artificial intelligence is already being deployed across numerous gaming functions.
Examples include:
- Player protection.
- Fraud detection.
- Customer interaction.
- Automation.
- Data analysis.
- Operational decision-making.
- Risk management.
Different Levels of Readiness
The Authority’s preparatory work identified significant variation in AI maturity across the industry.
Some organisations have structured governance programmes, while others are still developing policies for the use and supervision of AI.
The Charter is intended to provide a common reference point.
Risk-Based Application
A central principle is that not every AI system requires the same level of governance.
Requirements around:
- Documentation.
- Testing.
- Governance.
- Transparency.
- Human oversight.
- Monitoring.
should be proportionate to the use case and its potential impact on players, player rights, gaming integrity and regulated outcomes.
AI System Inventories
The MGA recommends that licensees compile an internal inventory of AI systems.
This can help organisations understand:
- Which systems are in use.
- Their purpose.
- Who supplies them.
- How they are deployed.
- Their risk classification.
- Which regulatory requirements may apply.
Transparency and Explainability
Transparency forms a major part of the Charter.
Organisations should be able to explain where AI is being used and how automated systems influence significant processes.
Clear communication with users and other stakeholders is also encouraged.
Addressing “AI Washing”
The document also identifies AI washing as a governance issue.
The term covers situations in which organisations misrepresent or exaggerate their AI capabilities for marketing or competitive purposes.
Accurate communication about what systems actually do forms part of the Charter’s transparency principles.
Fairness and Non-Discrimination
Another major pillar is reducing discriminatory or unfair outcomes.
The framework addresses:
- Representative datasets.
- Bias detection.
- Bias mitigation.
- Inclusive design.
- Continuous monitoring.
- User redress.
Data Protection and Governance
The Charter includes a dedicated section covering Data Protection, Security and Governance.
Principles include:
- Lawful and ethical processing.
- Data minimisation.
- Purpose limitation.
- Data quality.
- Data protection by design.
- Confidentiality.
- Retention controls.
- Cross-border transfers.
Human Oversight
The MGA emphasises that responsibility cannot simply be transferred to an algorithm.
Appropriate human control should remain in place, particularly where automated decisions could materially affect players or create significant risks.
Accountability for AI Decisions
The framework places strong emphasis on accountability.
Using an AI system does not remove responsibility from the organisation developing, deploying or operating it.
Licensees are encouraged to establish clear internal ownership of AI governance.
Internal AI Contacts
Companies adopting the Charter are encouraged to appoint one or more responsible individuals.
Those internal points of contact may come from functions such as:
- Compliance.
- Data.
- Technology.
- AI.
- Risk management.
They can help embed the Charter’s principles across day-to-day operations.
AI Literacy
Internal knowledge is another key element.
The MGA encourages regular training and refresher programmes for staff involved in acquiring, designing, deploying or overseeing AI systems.
The aim is to ensure that increasingly complex technology is not used without adequate understanding of its risks.
Reliability and Safety
The Charter establishes principles covering technical robustness.
Guidance includes:
- Testing.
- Validation.
- Risk assessments.
- Security.
- Continuous monitoring.
- Maintenance.
- System reliability.
Audits and Impact Assessments
The framework also covers system-impact assessments and reviews.
Higher-risk use cases may require more structured documentation and assessment of potential negative outcomes.
External audits and independent reviews are also included among the governance tools contemplated by the Charter.
Incident Reporting
Licensees are encouraged to maintain processes for identifying and reporting significant AI-related incidents.
The framework covers regulatory notifications, incident reporting and continuous improvement.
Charles Mizzi on Responsible Innovation
MGA CEO Charles Mizzi described the Charter as a shared commitment between regulators, industry and technology specialists.
The Authority’s position is that regulation should not obstruct innovation, but should provide the certainty and confidence necessary for responsible adoption.
Kenneth Brincat on Trust
MDIA CEO Kenneth Brincat highlighted trust as fundamental to AI adoption.
His position is that organisations need practical mechanisms for knowing where AI is used, managing associated risks and ensuring accountability and human oversight remain firmly in place.
Industry Context
Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from experimental projects into operational infrastructure across gaming.
Its use in player protection, personalisation, fraud controls, customer support and automated decision-making creates opportunities while introducing new regulatory and ethical risks.
Next Steps and Impact
The AI Gaming Charter now provides Malta licensees with a dedicated reference point for assessing existing practices and identifying areas for improvement.
Adoption remains voluntary, but its publication shows that AI governance is becoming a more explicit part of gaming regulatory policy.
As adoption grows, transparency, human control, data governance and explainability are likely to become increasingly important components of operator compliance frameworks.
Editó: @fonta
