Protecting Youth: International Experts Discuss Online Gambling Risks in Malta

The digital landscape is evolving rapidly, and with it, the challenges for youth protection are intensifying. In Valletta, Malta, on September 22-23, 2026, high-level experts and government representatives from 17 countries gathered to discuss protecting children and young people from the risks associated with online gambling and digital gaming. The conference represents a significant milestone in European cooperation, held under the auspices of the Council of Europe and in collaboration with the European Commission. It is no longer just a local issue but a global strategy against addiction.

A recurring theme during the Malta discussions was the erosion of the traditional boundary between video games and gambling. Mechanisms such as loot boxes or paid random elements in video games mean that young people encounter gambling-like structures at an early age. Participants emphasized that the mental health of the next generation directly depends on how effectively regulatory authorities and social services respond to these developments. Discussions covered not only financial losses but also toxic behavior, hate speech, and political influence within gaming environments.

Numbers and facts

Professionals from countries including Germany, Denmark, Portugal, Poland, Finland, and Switzerland participated. A core document of the deliberations was the Review of International Practices, developed under the TSI (Technical Support Instrument) project. This report identifies transferable approaches in prevention, treatment, and harm reduction. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already included gaming disorders and gambling addiction in the ICD-11 classification system, highlighting the medical relevance of the issue.

Mia Mardešić, Head of Gambling and Internet Addiction Programmes Unit at the Croatian Institute of Public Health, emphasized the importance of the meeting:

“I found the conference in Malta highly valuable, particularly as an opportunity for peer learning, knowledge exchange and strengthening cooperation with colleagues from other countries. The timing of the conference was especially important for me, as we are currently undergoing the feasibility and contextual assessment of the identified interventions and moving towards their pre-selection for national implementation.“ - Mia Mardešić, Croatian Institute of Public Health

Background

The conference was supported by the project "Promoting the mental health of children and youth by addressing the risks of online gambling and gaming." A significant part of the work occurs within the Pompidou Group, a Council of Europe expert group on addictions. This group has developed specific guidelines to protect children's rights in the digital environment according to Recommendation CM/Rec(2018)7. A major concern remains the high risk of suicide associated with problem gambling and the fact that online gamblers are often younger and more likely to be male compared to those in land-based casinos.

Experts noted that the 24/7 availability of online offers significantly lowers the barrier to entry. While social control exists in brick-and-mortar gambling halls, it almost entirely disappears in the digital space. Consequently, work is underway on a "toolbox of interventions." In the coming months, member states will test specific measures to determine which prevention programs actually work in practice rather than just on paper.

Why it matters for German players

For German players and especially parents, this international exchange serves as further validation of the strict course taken by the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). With the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021), Germany is already considered a leader in many protection measures. The approaches discussed in Malta, such as self-exclusion systems, are already a reality in Germany through the OASIS system. However, international reports show that technical blocks alone are not enough. The demand for media literacy and sensitization for teachers is likely to gain more weight here in the future.

The strict betting limits of 1 Euro per spin on virtual slots and the monthly deposit limit of 1,000 Euros, monitored via the LUGAS system, are precisely the types of regulatory hurdles discussed as best-practice examples at the European level. German players should expect identity verification (KYC) processes to remain stringent to consistently keep minors away from real-money areas. Protecting against addiction clearly takes precedence over the convenience of quick access.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Operators with a German license from the GGL must continue to take their responsibility for youth protection very seriously. The conference made it clear that regulatory authorities across Europe are growing closer together. Casinos operating legally in Germany have a competitive advantage through legal certainty but must also deal with high costs for compliance and player protection algorithms. Illegal operators from the MGA jurisdiction (Malta Gaming Authority) or Curacao, which often have weaker youth protection controls, are increasingly targeted by international law enforcement. The exchange in Valletta showed that cooperation between regulators, such as the Danish Spillemyndigheden and the German GGL, is intensifying to effectively combat black market offerings.