Malta Gaming License – A Comprehensive Guide on How to Get an MGA License in 2026

The Malta Gaming License is one of the most prestigious gaming licenses in the world. It is issued by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and permits license holders to embark on casino software development and conduct their business in Malta.

However, the application process for the MGA license can be lengthy and complex. In this post, we present a guide to the MGA license, discussing what it requires and how to get one for your gambling business in 2026.  

• Issued by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the Malta Gaming License is a prestigious permit that allows gambling operators to offer their services to players in Malta and several other jurisdictions globally.
• The MGA offers B2C (Gaming Service License) and B2B licenses to operators.
• Law firm guides put the licensing process at a minimum of six months (the MGA publishes no fixed timeline), and it involves multiple phases including company registration, compliance checks, and business plan reviews.
• An MGA license is widely respected and offers a stable regulatory environment. It does not by itself authorize services in other countries, and Malta changed its gaming tax on October 1, 2026. However, operators must comply with strict anti-money laundering (AML), responsible gaming, and player protection policies.

Understanding the Malta Gaming License

The Malta Gaming license is one of the top gambling licenses in the world. It is issued to gambling businesses established in the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA). 

The MGA license is issued by an agency with competent technical know-how and guided by a robust regulatory act that guarantees adherence to globally accepted standards for the gaming industry. Some markets treat an MGA license as a mark of quality, but each country decides who may serve its players. However, since the Malta Gaming license is highly prestigious, it involves significant checks and processes that can be a bit tricky to navigate.

What Is a Malta Online Gambling License?

The Malta online gambling license is a permit issued to online businesses that intend to carry out gaming services in Malta or provide critical gambling supply services to residents of Malta. The license is issued by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and covers a wide range of online gambling activities from casinos to sports betting, poker, and fantasy sports. This license is guided by strict requirements in line with the gambling regulatory framework in Malta.

History and Overview of Malta Gaming License

Malta is one of the earliest jurisdictions to regulate online gambling. The Malta Gaming Authority, which is the agency that regulates gambling activities in Malta, was established in 2001, three years before Malta joined the European Union, this also means that Malta is the first EU member to regulate internet gambling.

Malta’s legislation on remote gambling was established to ensure fairness and transparency to all players that use gaming services in Malta, while also preventing corruption, money laundering, and other crimes that may be carried out through gambling activities.

The current framework is the Gaming Act (Cap. 583 of the Laws of Malta), published in 2018, together with subsidiary legislation such as the Gaming Authorisations Regulations, the Gaming Licence Fees Regulations, and the Gaming Tax Regulations.

Key Functions and Powers of the Malta Gaming Authority

The Malta Gaming Authority is the body that oversees and regulates gambling activities in Malta. This regulatory organization was established in 2001 and was one of the first in the world to create a legal framework for the regulation of gambling activities. The MGA regulates various online gambling operations including B2B, B2C, and land-based casinos. 

Since its establishment, the MGA’s top priority has been to create a stable and attractive regulatory environment for online gaming that allows operators to adjust smoothly to the fast-paced online gambling industry, while also prioritizing the wellbeing of consumers. 

The Malta Gaming Authority is in charge of the issuance of licenses to applicants. As part of the application process, the agency collaborates with other regulators and law enforcement organizations to investigate and ensure that all applicants meet all the requirements of a gaming license. The MGA may refuse an application at any stage if the applicant does not meet the criteria set out in the Gaming Act. 

The MGA also maintains the integrity of the gambling industry by conducting regular inspections on Malta Gaming license holders. The MGA may suspend the license of companies that fail to comply with its rules and standards. 

Types of Malta Gambling Licenses

There are two main categories for the Malta Gaming license. There’s the B2C license which is granted to operators that offer their services directly to players, then there’s the B2B license which is for gaming businesses and software suppliers that service other businesses in the industry. Here’s a brief overview of each of these licenses. 

B2C License (Gaming Service Licence)

The B2C or Gaming Service Licence is a permit granted to businesses that provide their gambling services directly to players. The B2C license covers four main types of gaming services. They include: 

• Type 1: A Type 1 license is granted to businesses that offer players games of chance with outcomes determined by a random number generator. This license is mainly for online casino and casino-type games, lotteries, and virtual sports platforms. 
• Type 2: This gaming service license is granted to businesses that offer fixed odds betting on chance-based games with outcomes determined by the result of an event or competition. Sports and pool betting sites are classified under the Type 2 license.
• Type 3: It’s a B2C license granted to operators that offer chance-based games not played against the house but against other players. Examples of games in this category include peer-to-peer poker, bingo, betting exchange, and other peer-to-peer games
• Type 4: This is a license for operators that offer controlled skill games such as fantasy sports where players get to win prize money for emerging as a winner.

B2B License (Gaming Supplier License)

Also known as a Critical Gaming Supply Licence, a B2B license is granted to businesses that supply and manage gaming software, core game elements, or control systems. Businesses with a critical gaming supply license don’t provide their products and services directly to customers. Instead, they interact with operators.

Operators and suppliers that hold an authorization from another EU or EEA member state can apply for a Recognition Notice, which gives that authorization the same effect in Malta as an MGA authorization. The MGA concluded a consultation on updates to the Recognition Notice framework on October 29, 2026, so check the current rules before you apply.

Benefits of the Malta Gambling License

• Prestige and player trust
• Market reputation
• Being a part of the iGaming ecosystem
• Tax advantages

Prestige and Player Trust 

The Malta gambling license is one of the most respected gambling permits in the world. An MGA license does not itself authorize services in other countries, but many partners and regulators see it as a mark of quality. The application process is intensive, and the MGA supervises licensees after approval. Apart from authorities, operators with this license will also find it easier to gain player trust and confidence.

Market Reputation

As mentioned earlier, an MGA license is a seal of confidence in an operator’s services. As a result, license holders are allowed to offer their services across a wide range of jurisdictions as long as gambling is legal and no locally-issued license is required. It is particularly famous in Europe as one of the most popular licenses accepted by EU authorities. 

Being a Part of the iGaming ecosystem

Malta is one of the friendliest ecosystems for online gaming in the world. Gambling contributes significantly to the country’s economy. Consequently, the MGA is committed to preserving the integrity of the ecosystem while fostering the growth of gambling businesses.

Malta also has a large talent pool and is home to a vast number of gaming service providers. This makes it easier for gambling businesses to find software, hardware, data, and advertising partners. 

Tax Advantages

Malta’s gaming tax changed on October 1, 2026 (see Costs and Taxes below). Maltese companies pay corporate tax at 35%, and under the imputation system shareholders can usually claim a refund of 6/7 of it when profits are distributed, which brings the effective rate on trading income to about 5%, according to tax adviser guides. Conditions apply, and Malta has a wide network of double taxation treaties. Take advice from a tax adviser before you rely on either.

Licensing Requirements

The application process for a Malta online gaming license is more stringent compared to other jurisdictions. This is necessary to uphold the reputation of the MGA license as one of the best in the world. 

Operators seeking to know how to secure a gambling license from the MGA must be aware of the basic requirements for licensing. Some of the most important requirements for an MGA license application are listed below.

• Proof of readiness to conduct a gaming business in Malta.
• The operator must be an entity established in the EU or EEA and must have a clean record with no history or pending investigation of illegal gambling.
• The operator must have sufficient capital to conduct gambling activities. License holders are subjected to a minimum issued and paid-up share capital depending on their license type. Applicants applying for a Type 1 or 2 license must have a minimum of €100,000 while those applying for a Type 3 or Type 4 license must have a minimum of €40,000. Critical gaming supply (B2B) licenses also require €40,000.
• Applicants must have a robust infrastructure to ensure player safety, fraud protection, and gaming risk management in line with the MGA’s regulatory framework. These safety features must be built directly into the game displaying elements offered to players.
• Technical infrastructure, including regulatory data, must be hosted in Malta, the EEA, or another jurisdiction approved by the MGA, with real-time replication in Malta if it is hosted abroad. Directors, owners, and key function holders need not live in Malta if they are readily available to the MGA.

Application and Timelines

The application process and timeline for a Malta Gaming Authority license depends on the type of license being applied for or the type of services that the gaming company intends to offer. The entire process from the applicant’s initial contact with the MGA till they’re cleared to begin operation typically takes a minimum of six months according to law firm guides. The MGA does not publish a fixed timeline. An incomplete application is set to “incomplete” status for sixty days and is rejected if it is not resubmitted in full within that time.

Malta Gaming License Application Process Step-by-Step

The process of obtaining a gambling license in Malta is quite stringent. Recently, the MGA implemented some adjustments in the application process to simplify it. Still, gaming companies looking to learn how to start an online gambling website in Malta have to go through a rigorous vetting process.

1. Establishing a Local Company

The MGA accepts applications from entities established in the EU or EEA. Many applicants set up a Maltese company, which can take up to three months.

2. Fit & Proper Test

Next, you submit an application and pay the initial application fee. The Malta Gaming Authority will then carry out a fit and proper exercise to assess all the information provided by the applicants. This process involves investigating all the stakeholders in the organization to ensure integrity, competence, and financial stability. The MGA typically collaborates with both local and international law enforcement agencies for this phase of the application. 

3. Business Plan Review 

Next, the MGA will review the applicant’s business plan. The plan should detail the applicant’s plan for the business operation, including marketing and distribution strategies, HR management, and growth targets. 

4. Operational and Statutory Requirements Review 

At this stage, the MGA checks to ensure the business’s plan for operation meets the regulatory requirements. The Malta Gaming Authority will review the company’s incorporation documents, policy and procedure documents, gaming control systems, and technical setup. The rules, terms, and procedures of the games being offered must also align with the MGA’s regulatory framework for player protection, fairness, and crime prevention. 

5. System Review

If the applicant passes all the previous phases of the application, they will be instructed to implement their operation in a virtual environment. Applicants have a 60-day deadline to implement this. Within this period, a third-party service provider approved by the MGA will carry out an audit of the gaming system to ensure it is in line with the application. 

6. Compliance Review

The license is approved after a successful system review, which means the gambling platform can now go live. However, a license holder will still need to undergo a compliance review after commencing operation. The first review is typically carried out after the first year of operation, while a second audit will be carried out later depending on the plan set out by the MGA. 

Costs and Taxes Overview

Like other EU gambling licenses, the Malta Gaming license cost is higher compared to other jurisdictions. Consequently, this license is best suited for large operators with a generous budget.

To kick-start the process, applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee which is 5,000 Euros. The application fee must be paid for the application to be considered complete, and the first annual license fee is paid at the last step, before the license is issued. After the license has been issued, operators are required to pay a fixed annual license fee and a compliance contribution. The annual fee is fixed for each license type, while the compliance contribution depends on the revenue generated by the license holder for the year.

The annual license fee for B2C licenses is €25,000, or €10,000 for operators that provide only Type 4 services. B2B (critical gaming supply) licenses pay €25,000 in the first year. From the second year they pay €25,000, €30,000, or €35,000, depending on annual revenue (up to €5 million, €5 to 10 million, over €10 million). Back-office suppliers pay €10,000 in the first year, then €3,000 or €5,000 depending on revenue. Licensees also pay a monthly compliance contribution based on gaming revenue. For Type 1 it has a floor of €15,000 and a cap of €375,000 per year, and for Type 2 a floor of €25,000 and a cap of €600,000 (MGA guidance note, February 2023). Approved start-ups get a 12-month moratorium on the compliance contribution. Check the Gaming Licence Fees Regulations (S.L. 583.03) for the current schedule.

Gaming tax changed on October 1, 2026 (Legal Notice 84 of 2026). The single 5% tax on gaming revenue was replaced by rates that depend on the game type: 15% for Type 1 services, 10% for Type 2, 3, and 4 services, and 5% for activity in controlled gaming premises and junkets. Under the regulations, the tax applies to gaming services provided from Malta or to a person in Malta, and it is charged on revenue from players who are physically present in Malta. For services offered only by distance communication, it follows players who are established in Malta, have a permanent address there, or usually reside there. A fixed studio broadcasting levy of €3,000 a year applies to critical gaming suppliers that use premises as a studio. VAT rules for gaming and betting also changed on the same date (Legal Notice 86 of 2026), so take tax advice.

Payment Solutions and Corporate Structure

All the licensing requirements for Malta depend on whether you intend to run a B2C (gaming service) or a B2B (gaming supply company). In either case, the operator does not need to be physically based in Malta, but it must be an entity established in the EU or EEA and meet the MGA’s requirements.

In addition to the company registration, the corporate structure of the gambling business is also quite important. All the stakeholders, including directors, officers, and owners of the company requesting the license must undergo a suitability assessment before the application is approved. All of these stakeholders must be found to be of good legal and ethical standing.

The MGA requires each key function holder to hold a Key Function Certificate. The roles are chief executive, day-to-day gaming operations, compliance, legal affairs, data protection and privacy, AML/CFT (B2C licensees only), technology and information security, and internal audit.

Once licensed, the company has to regularly submit reports to the MGA, and these key function holders will be responsible for reporting on specific aspects of the business. These roles are essential for ensuring compliance and effective management of the gambling business in line with Malta’s regulatory framework.

Jurisdictional Restrictions

An MGA license is respected across the European Union, but it does not give automatic access to other EU markets. Each member state sets its own rules for online gaming, and several require a local license.

MGA licensees must also follow the rules of every market they serve, including sanctions and anti-money laundering restrictions, and must not serve markets where the activity is prohibited.

Remote Gambling in Malta

Malta has been the biggest hub for remote gambling in Europe for the past two decades. This jurisdiction issues remote gaming licenses to operators not physically present in Malta, offering traditional online games such as casino games, sports betting, lotteries, and software vendors. 

In recent times, Malta’s regulatory framework has also been expanded to allow operators of secondary lotteries and controlled skilled games such as fantasy sports. Remote gaming operators who wish to obtain a Malta license have to be an entity established in the EU or EEA. Technical infrastructure may be hosted in Malta, the EEA, or an MGA-approved jurisdiction, with real-time replication in Malta if it is hosted abroad.

Looking to embark on an iGaming development project in Malta? You can read our review about how to start a casino app to figure out how to kick-start your business there. 

Regulatory Framework and Compliance

Malta is renowned for its high standards and strict regulatory/compliance frameworks. To obtain a license and maintain it, the MGA must be fully satisfied that the license holder has all the necessary policies, procedures, and technical systems in place to manage the money laundering and terrorist financing risk of running a gambling business, while also prioritizing player protection. 

The MGA expects all persons involved in managing the gambling company to be fit and proper.  Operators may also be required to submit all contracts and information about business partners critical to delivering their services such as software providers, cloud service partners, and other businesses that may directly influence the gaming platform’s operations. 

In line with the MGA’s objectives of promoting responsible gaming and safeguarding player rights, operators must have game control systems in place to mitigate the risks of gambling addiction. It is the gambling provider’s responsibility to provide a safe, secure, and fair gaming environment to players.

Ongoing Maintenance and Compliance

The MGA license has a 10-year validity period. Once the license has been approved, the operator is expected to offer their services in line with the details of their original license application. If you wish to make any changes to the details or rules of your operation that aren’t stated in the application, then you’ll have to seek approval from the MGA. 

License holders have to undergo a compliance audit after the first year of operation. Operators also have to prepare and submit essential regulatory records including half-year reports and monthly reports for gaming tax, player funds, and other reports that may be requested by the MGA in line with international financial reporting standards.

The MGA has the legal authority to suspend or cancel the license of any operator that fails to submit the required reports or comply with their legal obligations as stipulated in the jurisdiction’s regulatory framework or any other related law of Malta. 

Virtual Sports Games and Licensing in Malta

Virtual sports games are covered by the gaming authorization regulations in Malta. This means operators who wish to offer this category of games to players must obtain the required B2C license from the MGA and comply with the applicable legal requirements. 

Licensing Requirements for Virtual Sports Games

The specific license type required by virtual sports game providers is the Type 1 license. It is issued for games played against the house whose outcomes are determined by an RNG. Virtual sports are computer-generated, such as virtual horse racing and greyhound racing. Players can place bets on events, but the outcomes are completely randomized, which is why they’re classified as Type 1 casino games. 

Compliance Requirements for Virtual Sports Games

In addition to obtaining the appropriate license, operators offering virtual games are required to comply with legal obligations and compliance requirements laid out in Malta’s regulatory framework. These include ensuring the fairness and integrity of the games, implementing responsible gambling systems to protect players, preventing money laundering, and protecting player data. 

Why is Malta a Hub for iGaming Businesses?

Malta is one of the most popular jurisdictions in the world for iGaming business. The MGA publishes a register of its licensees. Here are some of the reasons why this country is considered a hub for iGaming businesses from a business strategy perspective:

• Top-notch regulatory environment; one of the oldest and most robust gambling frameworks in the world.
• The MGA has extensive knowledge and expertise in the online gaming industry.
• Malta is a stable jurisdiction in terms of social, political, and economic aspects.
• The Maltese government is welcoming to businesses, particularly technology-related companies.
• The local workforce has extensive skills and experience that are useful to the gambling industry. 
• It’s easy to find partnerships with other gaming service providers there.

Why Choose the Malta Gaming License?

The Malta gaming license is the gambling industry’s golden ticket. It is renowned across several jurisdictions and trusted by players as a seal of authenticity and reliability. It makes perfect sense to choose a license like this, especially for established businesses looking to offer their services across various international markets. 

But in case you want to find out more about other gambling licenses, check out our articles on:

• Curacao gaming license
• Tobique gaming license
• Anjouan gaming license
• Isle of Man gambling license
• Kahnawake gaming license
• Alderney gambling license
• Gibraltar gaming licence
• UK gaming license

Key Considerations for License Applicants

The Malta gaming licensing process is more stringent and in-depth compared to other jurisdictions. The application process highlighted above represents the general process and requirements, but the Malta Gaming Authority may ask for more in-depth information on a case-by-case basis.

The MGA is very strict with its licensing process and can disqualify applicants at any stage. To ensure the success of your gaming license application, you must gather and submit all documents and other information required to satisfy the requirements. 

The Malta Gaming Authority also expects online gaming operators to demonstrate an ability to meet the stringent regulatory and compliance requirements to obtain a license and maintain it. This process involves several steps and a lot of paperwork. You’ll stand a better chance if you seek expert guidance from professionals with vast experience in how to start an online casino business in Malta.

Conclusion

The Malta gaming license is one of the best gambling licenses in the industry. Businesses with this license have a respected regulator behind them. Malta is also an active gambling hub with a favorable environment for business growth. Of course, all of these benefits come at a steep cost of navigating stringent regulatory hurdles. If you’re considering getting this license and you need comprehensive software development solutions to support your operations, contact us!