MGA flags AMLA consultation on ongoing-monitoring AML guidelines

The Malta Gaming Authority has alerted licensees to a public consultation from the EU's Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) on new draft guidelines covering ongoing monitoring of business relationships - one of the core AML/CFT obligations operators carry.

The guidelines are issued under Article 26(5) of the Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (AMLR). They address how operators should continuously monitor customer activity within established business relationships rather than relying on point-in-time KYC at signup - extending the verification burden across the full customer lifecycle.

AMLA is hosting a public hearing on 2 July 2026 (10:00-12:00 CEST) for stakeholder input on the proposed approach. The MGA "encourages all stakeholders to review the draft guidelines, assess any potential implications for their AML/CFT frameworks, and consider participating."

For players, what this likely means. Ongoing-monitoring obligations translate into more frequent source-of-funds requests and tighter transaction reviews on established accounts, not just at signup. The shift is consistent with the post-2020 European trajectory of treating AML as a continuous obligation rather than a one-off enrollment check. See our KYC verification guide for the existing patterns and what's likely to escalate as these guidelines firm up.