'Researcher' hacks into gambling regulator IT system
The Malta Gaming Authority said it was treating the breach with the 'utmost seriousness'
The gambling regulator has reported a computer system breach it said is thought to have been the work of someone posing as a security researcher.
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) said it had “identified a breach within one of its systems and immediately activated its internal response protocols”, with initial investigations suggesting the culprit may have been a person presenting as a security researcher.
All containment and mitigation measures were put into place as soon as the authority became aware of the breach, it said in a brief statement, adding it had “dedicated all relevant technical and operational resources to a thorough investigation”.
The authority said it was treating the incident with the “utmost seriousness” and would provide updates to organisations impacted by the breach in due course.
The MGA did not provide details about which systems were breached or whether any sensitive information had been compromised.
Investigations were continuing to determine the facts of the case and put additional safeguards in place, it said.
The gambling industry has grown to become one of Malta's highest-performing sectors, contributing more than €1.3 billion to Malta’s economy in 2023, with many large international companies basing their operations in the country.