Gaming industry reacts to MGA CEO Carl Brincat’s appointment

Content Team January 27, 2021
Gaming industry reacts to MGA CEO Carl Brincat’s appointment

Who is Carl Brincat? What does the industry think of the new appointment?

On Tuesday, the MGA appointed a new CEO – Carl Brincat. The role was up for grabs when previous CEO Heathcliff Farrugia announced that he will not renew his contract late last year.

To fill this all important role that Farrugia had decided to leave, the MGA issued a public call for the first time in their history on December 17th, 2020. This procedure was implemented to enhance the transparency and credibility of the application process.

Sources said that, due to the public call, the competition was fierce with many applicants interested in the role, even those from high positions in foreign jurisdictions. Furthermore, an anonymous source who works within the gaming industry, stated that the appointment of Carl was the correct choice and any other choice would have been a mistake.

The new MGA CEO will definitely have his hands full with a number of issues being faced especially due to the infamous Moneyval situation. There are also a number of other challenges that will need to be addressed such as increasing bank pressures, maintaining the industry growth and business retention.

It is no secret that the gaming industry is a pivotal part of Malta’s economy, with the industry being the third largest sector – contributing more than €1.56bn to the country’s GDP in 2019. Therefore, Carl Brincat will definitely have his work cut out for him to maintain the industry’s growth.

To get a feel of what the industry thinks about Brincat’s appointment and what impact it could have on the future of the gaming industry, SiGMA reached out to a number of professionals in the industry for their take on the new CEO:

Dr. Trevor De Giorgio – Managing Director at Greentube

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With the appointment of Carl Brincat the MGA shall continue in the direction taken during the tenure of Heathcliff Farrugia in striving to enhance the reputation of the Industry and the Regulatory jurisdiction. Carl was actually a key figure in all this and hence why I believe that he will continue down this road. However I also think that we will see more innovation on a regulatory front as products in our sector continue to develop and evolve.

Enrico Bradamante – Founder and Chairman of iGEN

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iGEN welcomes the appointment of Carl Brincat as the new CEO of the MGA. Carl’s professional experience and prior intimate knowledge of the iGaming industry are important assets that he brings to the role. iGEN is looking forward to continuing to engage in dialogue with the MGA under Carl’s leadership to ensure the jurisdiction evolves in a strong direction, increasing the value and reputation of the jurisdiction.

Eman Pulis – Founder of SiGMA Group

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The role of MGA’s CEO is very different to what it was 10 and 15 years ago. The authority is facing new challenges, most pertinent that several European states seem to be going in the direction of having their own licensing regime. It is certainly going to be a challenge for Carl Brincat to keep growing the healthy ecosystem in Malta but I believe he has what it takes to make it work. SiGMA Group wishes the best of luck to Carl and looks forward to seeing him at our events.

Who is Carl Brincat?

Carl Brincat, an advocate lawyer by profession, joined the MGA legal team in 2014. He was part of the legislative overhaul for the gaming industry in Malta which saw a new regulatory framework being implemented. His previous role at the MGA was of the Chief Legal and Enforcement Officer with his main areas of expertise focusing on gaming regulation, general legal, regulatory affairs and dispute resolution.

His responsibility did not stop here as Dr. Brincat was also responsible for legal affairs with other external stakeholders and the Maltese government. With his ties with the government and his heavy involvement with the new gaming regulatory framework as one of the principal drafters, it was a no brainer for the experienced MGA lawyer to become the new CEO and was in fact, SiGMA’s favourite for the role.

SiGMA Group releases its latest publication:

SiGMA is proud to announce that the 13th edition of SiGMA magazine is now available online here. The magazine is packed with quality content, interviews and features coming from four different continents around the world – including Europe, Asia, Africa and LatAm. The magazine will be distributed by post to leading gaming and business companies worldwide. Should you wish to be featured in the next issue please contact Katy Micallef.

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