The Importance of Online Casino Security in Malta
Being responsible while gambling online doesn’t end with setting a budget and sticking to it. It also involves choosing safe online casino operators that are licensed and comply with the latest gaming regulations. Thankfully, online casino security in Malta is at a high level, and players’ protection is a priority. Learn more about cybersecurity and why it is crucial when choosing a new gaming destination.
Why Is Cybersecurity Protection Important in Online Casinos?
Cybersecurity in online casinos covers more than one safety aspect. Indeed, the next step after checking the chosen casino’s MGA gambling licence should be evaluating the anti-fraud practices and protection against cyber attacks applied. That involves SSL encryption, anti-money laundering software, data protection, and a reliable payment system. When all these marks are checked, a worry-free gaming session is possible. However, ensuring online safety depends on you as well. Below, we will share some good practices to apply when gambling online.
The Basics of Security at Online Casinos in Malta
Playing casino games is fun, but you should take several safety measures to make the most of it. Before registering at any online gaming platform, you must ensure it’s trustworthy. There are a few checks to complete, including verifying the licence validity alongside SSL protocols and payment systems. Here is a complete list of the factors that show an operator follows the standards of online casino security in Malta:
- MGA Remote Gambling Licence
- SSL Data Encryption
- Safe Banking Methods
- RTP Audit Certificate
- Cyber Attacks Protection
Maltese players must ensure the Malta Gaming Authority authorised the chosen operator. As an official gaming regulator in the country, the MGA has a list of licensees, which you can consult on the regulator’s website. If you want to save time, you can also check our guide on how to choose safe online casinos in Malta.
Other crucial safety measures include applying SSL protocols. In general, licensed casino operators comply with all online gambling security requirements and provide protection against cyber attacks. However, it’s a good practice to double-check if SSL data encryption is present by clicking the padlock icon (on the left of the URL address) and reading the info in the pop-up menu.
Cybersecurity Threats at Maltese Online Casinos
MGA’s licensees are obliged to comply with the strictest regulations about cybersecurity in online casinos. According to the gambling laws in Malta, that means complying with SSL protocols and GDPR requirements. Nevertheless, there are additional types of protection against cyber attacks that casino operators use. Among the most widespread cyber threats are the following:
| 🚩 Cybersecurity Threats | ℹ️ Description |
|---|---|
| Credential Stuffing | It results in stealing account credentials to gain unauthorised access to other website login forms. That’s possible because people often use the same password and email for their other user accounts. |
| Data Breaches | Unlike credential stuffing, where it’s the user’s failure to protect themselves, data breaches take advantage of a company’s failure to protect personal and financial data. |
| DDoS Attacks | The cyber attack blocks the gaming platform and limits players’ access to games and betting products. It aims to disrupt the operator’s reputation, but hackers may also ask for money to quit attacking the website. |
| Phishing | Phishing is a cybercrime that targets players by email, text message, or telephone, aiming to make them download malware, reveal their credentials, or visit an unsecured website. |
| Ransomware | It’s a type of malware that blocks organisations or individuals from accessing their computers. It’s one of the most common attacks, which ends with the hackers asking for payment to consent back access to the computer. |
These are among the most common challenges faced by Maltese online casinos. Unfortunately, other threats exist, such as game outcome manipulation, data loss, or payment system attacks. That requires advanced cybersecurity in online casinos, including identifying risks and spreading awareness on the topic among employees.
How Is Data Privacy Ensured at Casino Sites?
Online casinos authorised by the Malta Gaming Authority comply with the General Data Protection Regulation implemented by the EU in 2018. Therefore, licensees process all personal data according to the GDPR guidelines, including name, location, ID number, or other cultural, economic, physical, or genetic information. While registering, the operator must ask you to give them consent to process your data. That should be done by checking tick-boxes and not pre-checked ones.
Online gambling security in Malta was improved by the Data Protection Code of Conduct for Online Gaming Operators introduced by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) in 2020. The EGBA is an association that partners with multiple European-based and Maltese-licensed operators from the iGaming sector. With the Data Protection Code, the organisation and its members aim to establish higher standards for online gaming safety and to ensure players’ data is protected at all costs.
Privacy Policies According to the MGA
To ensure cybersecurity in online casinos, the MGA obliges all licensed operators to comply with the GDPR, changing the standard for handling data protection. The authority demands that casino sites be more precise in data processing practices and inform their users on what happens with their personal information while using the website.
Consequently, casino operators must provide their users with clear information notices, also called privacy policies, upon registering. Once the sign-up process is completed, casinos should include a link to the privacy policies on each page. The documentation should be in English or Maltese, devoid of ambivalent terms. You will know that online casino security in Malta is respected when a privacy policy answers to the following conditions:
- It should contain the identity or contact details of the data controller (operator).
- Players must be informed of the purposes and legal basis for processing their data.
- Upon registering, operators should state whether the individual’s data will be used for anti-money laundering purposes.
- The privacy policies must include a list of all recipients of the data, such as data controllers and data processors.
- There should be information about the retention period of the data.
- In the document, players must easily find information about accessing, erasing, restricting, or porting their data.
- A section on the possibility of placing a complaint to a supervisory authority must be available.
- The consequences of providing data, eventual profiling, and automated decision-making should also be described.
To summarise the points mentioned above, a clear and detailed privacy policy ensures that online gambling security is respected and that the operator complies with local data privacy regulations. In addition, keep in mind that a registration form should explicitly identify which fields are mandatory and which are facultative. Sometimes, there is no need to fill in the complete address line, but name, city, telephone, and email are always required.
SSL Certificates & Data Encryption
Article 5.7 of the Malta Gaming Authority GDPR guide states that an operator sending personal data is responsible for the secure transmission to the right destination using end-to-end encryption and other strong authentication steps. Gaming platforms should implement these measures to minimise the risks of unauthorised third parties accessing sensitive information.
Encryption protects data by encoding it so that no one except the person holding the encryption key can access it. It transforms a readable format (file, document, message, or another communication form) into an indecipherable piece of information. When someone without permission tries to unlock the file, it appears unreadable. Data encryption is an essential layer of protection from cyber threats and should be present at all MGA-approved gaming sites.
Good Online Security Practices to Adopt
Even though casino operators are responsible for providing a safe gaming environment, there are several practices players should adopt as additional protection against cyber attacks. We promise they don’t require you to be a tech expert to implement them. Here are the measures you need to take when playing online:
- Ensure you pick an MGA-licensed casino site.
- Check if it owns an SSL encryption certificate.
- When registering, choose a strong password.
- Install antivirus software on your computer.
- Use a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN).
- Examine suspicious emails and pop-ups.
Last but not least, make sure your Wi-Fi is secure, especially if it’s public. When a computer tries to connect to the internet, information is sent from point (device) A to point B (network or website). That causes risk because an intruder can benefit from the pause between the transmission and execute a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack. Malware distribution, malicious hotspots, and credential stuffing are other possible complications, so make no compromise with your online safety.