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The Malta gaming license is one of the most reputable licenses in the world, as it opens the opportunity to operate in the big (one of the hugest online gaming markets in the world) national market of Malta and gain entry to operate within the EU on a legal basis. Malta's well-deserved impeccable reputation makes this license desirable for many casinos. Despite its small size (the total area of the country is only 316 square kilometers (122 square miles), with a significant portion uninhabited (of the 11 islands, only two—Malta and Gozo—are inhabited), this country has supported gambling at the state level for quite a long time. Although Malta's population is not large, around 535,000 people, a significant portion of them work in the gambling industry, which accounts for 9% of the country’s economy.
The well-deserved reputation of one of the leaders in the online gambling industry attracts businessmen to Malta who wish to develop their business in the online gaming industry. The predictable regulatory policy, the positive attitude of the regulator, and the presence of clear, convenient, and realistic operational criteria have led to the projected gaming market volume of the small island state reaching USD 315.90 million in 2024. On average, further market growth is forecasted. One of the main indicators of online casino success—the average revenue per user—was projected to be USD 13,190 in 2024. The number of companies in the market is quite significant, though not excessive—the number of companies licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) included 329 approvals for offering various types of games under the B2C license and 206 approvals for offering services under the B2B license. In 2022, the MGA accumulated €78.7 million in contributions, fees, and taxes for the Malta budget.
The Malta licensing system divides all gambling services into 4 different types. At the same time, the operator can offer several types of games. These types are divided into categories, which form verticals.
The automated application system, where most documents are submitted electronically, and the clarity of the outlined criteria, determine the high percentage of positive decisions from the authority on the first attempt (over 60%) and the relatively short process of obtaining a license—around 12-18 weeks. This makes the process of obtaining a remote gaming license in Malta as convenient as possible.
A significant advantage of obtaining a license in Malta is Malta's membership in the EU. In one of its rulings, ECJ emphasized that cross-border gambling is an activity that falls under Article 56 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Therefore, restrictions on the freedom to provide such services in other EU countries are prohibited within the EU.
A considerable advantage of Malta, alongside EU membership, quality regulatory governance, and an attractive domestic market, is its flexible tax system, which reduces the tax rate in many cases to 5%. Therefore, the Malta online casino license is a very prestigious and beneficial choice for the development of a gambling business. Successfully obtaining such a license expands access to markets and enhances the reputation of an online casino, attracting wealthier players.
If you need to obtain an online casino license in Malta, Inteliumlaw specialists will help with choosing a business model, preparing documents, and directly obtaining the license. In providing this service, Inteliumlaw is guided by regulatory requirements, many years of experience, and industry best practices.
The Malta Gaming Act (2018) embeds transparent requirements for obtaining a license. Since 2024, obtaining a license in Malta takes place online through the LRMS system.
This system assist both for submitting documents online (with progress reporting) and for checking the validity of licenses by players.
For remote gambling in Malta, 4 types of licenses are provided. The cost of such a license depends on the type of services. The most significant payments are the application fee (€5,000) and the annual fee (€25,000 (€10,000 for operators providing only Type 4 services, currently limited to esports).
Other payments may include (depends on annual revenue and type of service):for B2C Type 1 gaming services, the fee ranges from €15,000 to €375,000; for B2C Type 2, from €25,000 to €600,000; for B2C Type 3, from €25,000 to €500,000; for B2C Type 4, from €5,000 to €500,000.
The significant part of expenses will be related to the arrangement of key persons with due regard to conflict rules and substance in Malta. Legal fees for the support with license obtaining should be considered separately.
The requirements for companies to obtain a Malta casino license include the following basic conditions:
Obtaining an online casino license Malta involves applying to the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). The MGA also maintains a publicly accessible and open Malta gaming license register of issued licenses, and every player can check the validity of an online casino’s license.
The four main types of gaming licenses are categorized into Gaming Service Licenses (for B2C operators) and Critical Gaming Supply Licenses (for B2B providers).
There are 4 types of Gaming Service Licenses (for B2C operators):
A Critical Gaming Supply License is a business-to-business (B2B) license to provide or carry out a critical gaming supply. A ‘critical gaming supply’ shall consist of the: (a) supply and management of material elements of a game; (b) supply and management of software, whether as a stand-alone or as part of a system, to generate, capture, control or otherwise process any essential regulatory record and, or the supply and management of the control system itself on which such software resides.
Malta igaming license combines compliance with strict requirements and at the same time the use of modern information technology capabilities. The process of obtaining a license lasts approximately 12-18 weeks. Most of the documents are submitted through the registrar's electronic system. This allows you to do the process of obtaining a remote gaming license Malta as convenient as possible.
Partnering with our Team will provide you with a strategic advantage that positively impacts your application success and ensures compliance with your gaming venture. Here is a Inteliumlaw feature that will benefit you with a Malta igaming license:
Company Registration: Company registration in Malta typically occurs in the form of a limited liability company (Ltd). Critical steps in this process include reserving the company name and establishing an office in Malta.
Choosing the Right License Type: Depending on the type of gaming activity (e.g., online casino, sports betting, B2B software provider), the operator must select the class of license (Class 1, 2, 3, or 4) for which they will apply.
Capital Requirements: The operator must ensure compliance with the minimum capital requirements based on the license type (e.g., €100,000 for Classes 1 and 2, €40,000 for Classes 3 and 4).
Document Preparation: The applicant must gather and submit a wide range of documents to the MGA, including details about the company's structure, business plan, proof of financial stability (bank statements, audit reports, and demonstration of sufficient capital to support operations); documents confirming compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures; information about the technology stack, including gaming software, platform providers, and security measures; and details about gaming software testing.
Payment: The applicant must pay a non-refundable application fee of €5,000 to initiate the process. Submission: The applicant submits documents all required documents through the MGA Licensee Portal. This includes incorporation documents, business plans, technical specifications, and compliance policies;
Verification of documents by the regulator and obtaining a license: The MGA conducts thorough checks on key individuals involved in the business to assess their integrity and financial stability, and reviews the applicant's business plan, operational structure, and technical capabilities. An independent auditor evaluates the applicant's gaming systems in real time to ensure that they meet technical standards. If the checks are successful, a license is issued.
Our team is ready to help you at any stage. From business registration to preparation and submission of key documents and legal support of the audit process.
The Maltese government makes significant efforts to encourage investment in the gambling sector. It currently accounts for approximately 10% of GDP. Along with EU membership, active implementation of online technologies, and promoting foreign investments, this creates a favorable regulatory climate for online casinos.
To obtain a license, it is necessary to have a company in the EU or Malta, prepare and submit the required documents online, pay registration fees, and undergo a regulatory audit.
The cost of the license depends on the type of license, so the prices vary greatly.
The main legislative act of Malta regarding online gambling is The Malta Gaming Act (2018), along with the Gaming Rules and regulatory acts of the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) adopted based on it. These acts ensure both transparent rules for obtaining a license and an adequate level of player protection.
Since obtaining a license involves a systematic audit by the MGA, the process usually takes about 12 months. However, the quality of the applicant's initial documents and the absence of errors when submitting the documents are of great importance.
Yes, InteliumLaw is ready to support with both new applications for Malta gaming license and the renewal of current licenses
Yes, additional costs do exist, and they may include: annual license fees, compliance fees, fees for key personnel, and annual renewal fees. Legal services fees, audit and compliance services fees, as well as costs related to the technical system audit and ongoing operational requirements may also be necessary.
After getting a Malta gambling license, InteliumLaw can offer you constant legal support services. These cover regular compliance advice to ensure adherence to Malta's gaming regulations, assistance with annual reporting and renewal processes, and legal consultations in any regulatory matters.
The accumulated experience and tracking of future changes in this area allow us to be proactive
for our clients and develop the most adapted business structures to modern conditions.
By submitting this form, you hereby authorize Inteliumlaw to process your information for the purpose of addressing your inquiry. You retain the right to revoke this consent at any point. For further details, please review our Privacy Policy.
The accumulated experience and tracking of future changes in this area allow us to be proactive
for our clients and develop the most adapted business structures to modern conditions.
By submitting this form, you hereby authorize Inteliumlaw to process your information for the purpose of addressing your inquiry. You retain the right to revoke this consent at any point. For further details, please review our Privacy Policy.
