Malta Gaming Authority names Charles Mizzi as new CEO
Charles Mizzi has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), starting in the upcoming month, according to an announcement made by the MGA.
After two years at the helm, Charles Brincat will be stepping down as the CEO of the Malta regulator. Charles Mizzi, on the other hand, will officially assume the position on January 26 as his replacement.
After serving as the CEO of Residency Malta Agency for five years, he has now joined the MGA. Throughout his career, Mizzi has held various senior positions, including being the head of the image and communications unit at BNF Bank.
“I am honored to have been given the opportunity to lead the Authority,” Mizzi said. “I am keen to build on past successes and, together with the team under the guidance of the minister responsible and the board of governors, to strategically steer the Authority forward so that Malta’s already robust position in the field may be further strengthened while delivering value to all stakeholders.”
Silvio Schembri, Malta’s Minister for the Economy, EU Funds, and Lands, expressed his support for Mizzi’s appointment as well. Malta Gaming Authority Charles Mizzi
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“With his vast experience in managing the operations of a number of entities and his contributions towards major projects, Charles is undoubtedly the right candidate to continue building on what the MGA has achieved so far,” Schembri said.
“He will lead his excellent colleagues within the Authority towards further future success.”
After Mizzi’s arrival, he may be tasked with defending Europe’s opposition against Malta’s Bill 55. This bill has sparked controversy among other European stakeholders, who argue that it is not in line with European law.
The bill, which is also referred to as Article 56A of Malta’s Gaming Act, provides legal protection to operators licensed in Malta, safeguarding them from liability arising from their gambling activities.
In August, it was announced that the German gambling regulator’s statement about the law conflicting with the Brussels Recast Regulation caused a wave of controversy. This regulation specifically deals with the resolution of legal judgments among members of the European Union.
The MGA has previously asserted that its regulations on gambling fall within the scope of the rules governing the free movement of services in Europe.
“The Maltese gaming framework, in turn, is in full conformity with EU law and is based on the freedoms afforded to an entity established within the internal market,” said the regulator.
In the gambling sector, European regulators and governments have in the past referred to a 2017 Commission decision as the basis for closing infringement procedures and complaints.
They contend that this implies that gambling services are not eligible to be broadcast across Europe under an MGA license. Malta Gaming Authority Charles Mizzi
Malta’s authorities were asked to provide additional information by the European Commission earlier this year to evaluate its compatibility with EU law.
After the Commission makes its decision, there exists the potential for the case to be escalated to the European Court of Justice, which has traditionally held the ultimate authority in resolving conflicts between European and domestic legislation.
Source: iGB Malta Gaming Authority Charles Mizzi
