The challenges of countering fraud in Malta’s remote gaming industry

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges of countering fraud in Malta’s remote gaming industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Six individuals from three major stakeholders in Malta’s remote gaming industry were interviewed for this study.

Findings

The interviewees report that a multitude of fraudulent activities are present in Malta’s remote gaming industry. This includes identity fraud, credit card fraud, bonus abuse and collusion and chip dumping. Participants indicate that crimes of fraud often go unreported and unrecorded, resulting in a limited evidence base upon which to develop holistic and effective counter-fraud measures.

Research limitations/implications

The research sample is small, although this study is the first to examine the perspectives of key stakeholders working in one of the world’s largest remote gaming industries. Findings are of relevance to regulated online gambling markets across the globe.

Practical implications

The study suggests that better intelligence sharing amongst gambling operators and regulators can serve to enhance counter-fraud measures both locally and internationally.

Originality/value

The reputational and commercial imperative of gambling operators and regulators means that research studies pertaining to the topic of crime in the remote gaming industry that incorporate their perspectives are rare.

Citation

Zerafa, A., Banks, J. and Waters, J. (2021), "The challenges of countering fraud in Malta’s remote gaming industry", Journal of Financial Crime, Vol. 28 No. 4, pp. 1053-1064. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-11-2020-0238