Gaming regulators in Malta plan to update the country’s gambling legislation, with a particular focus on protections for online gambling customers.

A representative from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) told the Agimeg news outfit that the existing gaming laws were currently under review and the plan was to submit proposals to parliament this autumn that would “innovate and extend” the MGA’s powers.

The MGA spokesman said the review has been underway since 2013 and denied that the desire for change was prompted by Italy’s recent crackdown on gaming businesses allegedly controlled by the ‘Ndrangheta crime organization, including Malta-licensed online operators Betuniq and Betsolution4U Ltd.

The MGA, which is cooperating with the Italian authorities’ investigation, suspended these and other licenses associated with Italian firms, some of whom have threatened to sue the MGA for millions of euros in damages if the investigations don’t lead to criminal convictions.