Malta’s junior minister for financial services, Silvio Schembri, has played down serious concerns raised by the UK’s Gambling Commission CEO after the reveal that Malta-based gaming companies were the biggest offenders in Britain.

“The Malta Gaming Authority is doing a sterling job. Our duty as politicians is that we give all the necessary tools, by enhancing legislation and helping regulatory bodies as MGA to monitor and sanction were needed. This is what we are doing, and what we will continue to do in the future,” Schembri told Lovin Malta.

Gambling Commission CEO Neil McArthur slammed Malta’s compliance as simply “not good enough” during a recent speech in Malta.

“The Commission is clear that although progress has been made in the regulation of the online market since 2014, far more needs to be done to raise standards,” McArthur said.

Just under half of the 45 operators asked to complete an action plan where based in Malta, as were five of the seven who faced massive fines from the British regulator.

Meanwhile, three companies had their UK gambling licenses completely revoked.

Malta-based companies currently hold the largest market share of the UK online gaming market, accounting for close to 30% of the total, with the industry exploding since the introduction of the tax rebate system.

The lack of compliance in Malta has drawn the ire of several EU countries, with Sweden notably completely clamping down on operators infringing on regulations.

The effects have been felt, with several Malta-based companies axing their staff amid a restructuring plan to combat the clampdown.

READ NEXT: Lack Of Maltese Talent Forces Gaming Company To Close Studio And Move To Poland