"In this respect, the MGA is currently in the process of establishing the sandboxed (test and learn) live environment for cryptocurrency usage within the remote gaming sector, whilst also drafting guiding principles for the application of DLT and its various adaptations within the industry. Cognizant of the fact that a certain degree of expertise lies within the industry, with a number of innovative projects and concepts already available on the market, the Authority is reaching out to interested parties willing to share information regarding their cryptocurrencies and/or DLT projects."

http://www.mga.org.mt/malta-gaming-a...ency-projects/

I'm guessing they've had some time to review after the recent EiG expo spotlighted cryptocurrencies and such with their new Blockchain Agenda. One of the speakers there was the MGA's senior legal advisor Carl Brincat, although he wasn't on that specific blockchain panel.

However others representing many other European countries were on the panel, along with founders/representatives from some of the largest crypto-gambling projects currently. You can find the full list of those who contributed to the Blockchain Agenda this year in the link below.

http://www.eigexpo.com/blockchain-agenda

These projects are trying to accomplish some great things for us, and certainly deserve our support. I've personally seen the hard work going into a few of them and feel much better about the future of online poker than I did just a few short years ago.

With that said, there are many people/organizations who are simply trying to cash in on the blockchain hype with unrealistic promises and nothing more than vaporware. I would really like to see communities themselves establish some sort of fair self-regulation, otherwise we may eventually get far more restrictive measures imposed on us by physical governments.

I think the interest goes back further. In 2013 I hosted a BTC igaming panel at ICE. I remember afterward having discussions with an MGA staffer who was interested in getting his regulator to approve BTC as an acceptable deposit/cashout tool method for Malta licensed operators.

Fast forward to 2017 and that guy is now Chairman of the Malta Gaming Authority.

Thanks for the link. I see many of the same folks will be at ICE this February, 2018 in London.(Ivan Montik, the CEO of Softswiss has been into crypto gaming for the long haul.)

I'll be in attendance and talking to regulators on behalf of crypto-gaming operators and suppliers industry clients. I'll post a trip report on 2+2 most likely.