On 4 September 2019 the Malta Gaming Authority ("MGA")
announced the launch of the second phase of the Sandbox Regulatory
Framework ("sandbox") following the implementation of the
first phase, launched on the 1 January 2019.
The Sandbox has paved the way allowing the possibility for
operators to accept Virtual Financial Assets ("VFAs") as
a mean of payment. The MGA has extended the duration of this second
phase until the 31 December 2021, this compared to the initial
phase which was expected to operate for a period of ten months.
This extension comes as no surprise with many operators awaiting
the launch of the second phase allowing the implementation of
Innovative Technology Arrangements ("ITAs") and
Distributed Ledger Technologies ("DLTs") such as smart
contracts and blockchain platforms in their gaming system.