Licensing and Regulatory Process for Casino Sites in Malta

Gambling News

As we promote only verified and licensed casino sites in Malta, we will focus on the licensing process of the top gaming operators. The next boxes include links to the main topics in this blog post, so please use them, or stay tuned to the end of the article if you don’t want to miss something important.

From the MGA fundamentals to the application steps for online casino operators who want to obtain a Malta gambling licence – you will find exactly what you are looking for. So, without further ado, let’s get started with a short introduction to the MGA as a regulatory authority.

Fundamentals of the Malta Gambling Regulation

MGA has a significant role and purpose to regulate all sectors of the gaming industry in Malta. As stated by the MGA regulation fundamentals, a Malta gaming licence is required for every person intending to operate a gaming business in Malta. Simply put, if you have a business in the online gaming industry in Malta, you are required to have a licence. Here are other fundamentals of the MGA regulation:

  • To oversee and regulate its licensees by managing innovation.
  • Ensures the safety and reliability of the gambling services.
  • Analyses of the business plans of the applicants for a licence.
  • Audits all compliance reports and proposes dispute resolutions.
  • Player protection by ensuring fair gaming and funds protection.

Malta Gaming Licence Types

The B2C Malta gambling licence is issued to gambling operators, such as online and land-based casinos that offer their services directly to players (customers). A B2B gambling licence in Malta concerns software providers that offer their services to other businesses, such as online casinos. There are also four classes or types of licences, depending on the offered remote gaming services.

📜 Malta Gambling Licence Type 🎲 Examples of Included Games
Class 1 Licence Casino Games, eSports, Lotteries, Poker
Class 2 Licence Sports Wagers with Fixed Odds, Live Betting
Class 3 Licence Betting Exchange, Pool Betting, p2p Games
Class 4 Licence Controlled Skill Games, Daily Fantasy

Of course, some types of games are excluded from the licensing requirement. Examples include games of skill that do not return prizes or require betting, such as charitable bingo or games played just for fun.

Licence Expiry Period

Several things changed with the publication of the Gaming Act 2018, including the extension of the Malta gambling licence validity from 5 years to 10 years. All four types of MT gambling licences can be renewed for the same period. Also, you will go through a compliance audit after the first year of operation, while any further change in the casino terms or the details on the offered games cannot be done without the MGA’s approval.

Malta Casino Licence Application Process

The Malta casino licence is among the world’s most important gambling commission licences. It offers a prestigious platform that can be used by gaming operators in any jurisdiction worldwide where online gambling is not prohibited. Here are the main steps of a Malta gaming licence application.

  1. Preparation/submission of the required documentation to the MGA.
  2. Thorough application review, including financial analyses and company security checks.
  3. Business plan review, including the sustainability of your company, business processes, etc.
  4. Complete testing of the gaming system that is conducted independently.
  5. Final checks and audits of the applicants who went successfully through the process.
  6. Issuing of a Malta gambling licence for 10 years.

You will also be asked to submit various documentation throughout the process and pay all the required taxes and application fees. If all goes well, your gaming business will be under the Malta gambling regulation, which offers unique benefits, such as access to developed markets, strict money laundering policies, and top responsible gaming services, among others.

Timeframes of the MT Licensing and Regulation Process

If you wonder how much time it takes to get a gambling licence in Malta – we can tell that the process
is lengthy and overwhelming. It comes down to several months, or even a year, depending on the state in which your
business is. Here are the approximate timeframes for some of the main processes, which could help you get a better idea.

🏢 Registering a Company in Malta About 2 Weeks
💳 Opening a Business Bank Account About 2 Weeks
📗 Preparing the Business Plan About 4-6 Weeks
📝 Gaming & Control System Audit Up to 2 Months
⚖️ Compliance Audit Up to 3 Months

A nice tip is to use the services of a third-party company with professional consultants who can help you with all the
application steps from the MT licensing and regulation process. Yet, it could shorten the whole procedure up to
a month and a half
, but this is a very rough approximation for the application only. It could take up to a
year or even more until you get the licence.

Requirements for a Gambling Licence from Malta

There are a lot of Malta online casino regulation requirements, and they are even more to get a licence. Examples
include documents and various forms, fees, certificates, etc., and you usually have a certain timeframe
to prepare them. Here is a list of requirements to get a Malta casino licence:

Type of Requirement Examples
ℹ️ ID/Contact Information Copy of your ID, contact address, phone number, etc.
👔 Company Documentation Documents about the office’s registration, incorporation documents, annual financial reports and tax returns,
copies of audits, etc. Fewer documents for startups.
💻 Property Requirements The location of all software and hardware elements required for the operation of your gaming business must be in
Malta.
🏢 Casino Plan Scheme of the gaming premises, the support centre, and documents to prove the operational readiness of your
facility to meet the standards.
🏆 Business Plan A short- and long-term business plan, documents about business activities and projections, and other documents
to prove operational sustainability.
📜 Gambling Policies: Documentation about the offered games and testing certificates, general casino rules, promotional conditions,
responsible gaming practices, technical procedures, etc.
💵 Share Capital: A minimum of €100,000 issued and paid-up share capital for Class 1 or Class 2 game licences; and a minimum of
€40,000 for Class 3 or Class 4 game licences.
✔️ System Audit Report: Report from an independent test-run audit of the gaming system. Required only from the successful applicants and
must be conducted by a company approved by the MGA.

Of course, these are only the common examples of the requirements you can come across during the MT
licensing and regulation process. Prepare for many additional requirements, such as personal details of shareholders
with more than 5% interest, including qualification and experience evaluation, face-to-face interviews, and others.

Annual Licence Fees & Costs

There are many application fees, as well as costs during the Malta gambling regulation. If you wonder whether it
is cheap or not
to get a Malta casino licence – the short answer would be ‘it is not cheap’. There are
administrative fees, non-refundable fees, annual licence fees, regular audit taxes, and more. Here are a few examples:

➡️ Licence Application Fee: €1000
➡️ Fixed Annual Licence Fee: €25,000 (for Types 1, 2, and 3), €10,000 (for Type 4)
➡️ New Licence Application Fee: €5000
➡️ Licence Renewal Fee: €5000
➡️ Malta Tax on Gambling: 5% (for B2C Licence Holders)
➡️ Corporate Tax Rate: 35%

There are also compliance contribution rates for offering gaming services, paid yearly. They vary from
0.40% to 4% depending on the class type of the Malta gambling licence and the annual revenue. There are also different
fees for B2B and B2C licence holders. You should contact the MGA or your consultancy company for more details on this
topic.

Responsibilities of the Operators Licensed by the MGA

Liability and Responsibilities
The greatest responsibility after your business obtains a Malta gaming licence is mostly associated with continual compliance with the MGA policies. From general accounting to ongoing operational maintenance and regular audits – there are many obligations once you become a licence holder.

Penalties for Non-Compliance with the MGA Regulation

Non-compliance of licensees with the Malta online casino regulation leads to penalties and even criminal proceedings. The high credibility of a Malta gaming licence must not be underestimated. Here are some of the penalties for non-compliance with the MGA regulation:

  • An administrative fine of up to €235,000 for licensees who breached the MGA conditions.
  • Administrative penalties for offences committed against the Gaming Act.
  • Criminal proceedings for licensees who refuse to pay administrative fines.

Every fine is determined by the MGA and depends on numerous factors, such as scale, duration, and frequency of the breach. The investigation must conclude whether the non-compliant breach is deliberate or due to negligence, the parties involved, previous records, and others.

Overview of the MGA Licensing Process & Closing Thoughts

All gaming establishments and casino operators in Malta are licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, and you can check them out from the MGA licensee register. The Authority transformed into a symbol of innovation and high standards in the gaming industry, and it develops constantly. They even have a new revamped look you can see in the next video.

Compared to other application processes – the Malta gaming licence is often preferred, as it offers numerous benefits. The shortened application time, the long validity period, and the good offshore coverage are only a few examples. It is a licence from an EU member, and it is a guarantee for the fairness and trustworthiness of the casino operators.

Malta Gaming Licence and Regulation Process – Q&As

If you want to know more about the gambling licence in Malta, please read the following sections with questions and answers. From the application process to the main requirements and the licence validity – we have covered it all.

1️⃣ What is a Malta gaming licence?

The fundamentals of the Malta online casino regulation concern all businesses that operate remote gaming facilities and offer such services to players. There are four types of casino licences, covering B2B and B2C operating companies, and every licence is a legal requirement according to the Gaming Act 2018.

2️⃣ How to apply for a Malta casino licence?

The Malta gaming licence application starts with the filing and submission of the application form and continues with a detailed investigation including all kinds of company checks. Then, a business plan is submitted. The approved applicants conduct a gaming system test and go through final checks upon the issuing of the licence.

3️⃣ What is the MT licensing and regulatory process?

There are several Malta gambling regulation requirements you need to fulfil during the application process, and even before that. Examples include documents about the full company profile and its shareholders, a casino plan, a business plan, general terms and conditions, bonus policies, a system audit report, and more.

4️⃣ How long does it take to get a Malta casino licence?

The timeframe for obtaining a Malta gaming licence depends on the readiness of your business to conduct gambling activities. It could be from a couple of months up to a year, or even more. For instance, only the incorporation of a Maltese company and opening a business bank account could take up to a few weeks.

5️⃣ Is the Malta gambling licence cheap or expensive?

The casino licence is not cheap by any means. There are several Malta gaming licence fees and costs at any stage of the application process, including application fee, licence renewal fee, Malta tax on gambling, and corporate tax rate, among others.

6️⃣ How long is the validity of an MGA gambling licence?

The Malta gambling licence validity is for 10 years and then can be extended by submitting a licence renewal application. During this period, you can make changes in the general terms, game, and bonus policies, only with the approval of the MGA.

7️⃣ Are all MT casinos under the Malta gambling regulation?

Yes, all operators of gaming sites in Malta must be licensed by the MGA. The companies under the Malta online casino regulation should display the logo of the MGA in their footers. It is a symbol of innovation, trustworthiness, and reliability, as you can confirm from the conclusion of the Malta gaming licence guide.

8️⃣ Are there penalties for non-compliance with the MGA?

Yes, licensees have a lot of obligations and responsibilities, and any non-compliance with the Malta online casino regulation comes with serious penalties. Examples include administrative fines of up to €235,000 or even criminal proceedings for those who refuse to pay the fines.

9️⃣ What are the Class 1 gaming service fees in Malta?

The different fees and costs depend on the class types of the Malta gaming licence. Class 1 licensees are the largest category, including operators of classic casino games – roulette, blackjack, slots, as well as virtual sports, lotteries, and poker. They pay a fixed non-refundable annual licence fee of €25,000.

🔟 How prestigious a Malta gambling licence is?

This is one of the most prestigious licences in the gambling industry, as it is from an EU country and it offers broader access to international markets, strict anti-money laundering regulation, and high overall credibility. That’s why the responsibilities of the MGA licensees are very important and are a lot.

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