Everything you need to know about Malta Online Casino License

MGA Casinos - MGA license requirements & license fees

Malta’s gaming license is widely seen as the world’s safest license because of its demanding requirements. To get the license, applicants for the Malta’s gaming license must first give a detailed account of their business practices to Malta’s Gaming Authority. During the application process, the applicant must also provide an estimation of costs and profits for the casino that they are founding. They must also present Malta’s Gaming authority with their fully detailed business plan.

Malta Gaming Authority was primarily established to ensure players’ safety on every possible level, and online casinos must comply with this authority’s rules absolutely, to get their coveted license. Some of the rules might even sound too harsh to some players, as online casinos that hold the license cannot, for instance, hire people with a criminal background. Besides, MGA demands detailed accounts of all the employees that the owner of the license has. To get the license, the owners of the license must also pay Malta’s Gaming Authority a fixed fee of 25 000 euros annually, and the license owners must also pay some additional license fees to the MGA based on their annual revenue.

The basic requirements to get the MGA license are the following:

• Documents to prove that owners of the company don’t have a criminal background
• Notarized copies of passport(s)
• Bank references from owners
• Notarized copies of utility bills
• Fully detailed business plan
• Details of gaming software platforms and systems used
• Hosting of gambling operations must stay in Malta

And the basic license fees for the MGA license are:

• Fixed annual license fees of 25 000 EUR
• Additional license fees based on the casino’s annual gross gaming revenue and its license’s class

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Do all Malta casino sites offer secure deposits and withdrawals?

Secure deposits and withdrawals are available from all licensed casinos on Malta. SSL encryption is used by legitimate Malta casinos to secure your payment transactions. So, whether you play on a desktop PC or a mobile casino app in Malta, you can rest assured that your payments are safe.

Malta is one of the most preferable destinations worldwide for online casino registration. This small European nation is also famous for its beautiful beaches, natural landscapes, delicious cuisine and architecture. But, tourism in Malta is more recognized for attractive gambling destinations including the sports betting companies run by the Maltese Gaming Authority. Let’s find out what makes gambling a blossoming sector on this Mediterranean Island.

The terms of the MGA license

The MGA license is based on its holders following the regulatory framework in line with the Malta Gaming Act of 2018 (Chapter 583), and is generally the same for both land-based and online applicants, with some exceptions.

The parent tier is the Act itself, which recognizes gaming as an activity and the MGA as the regulatory authority. The license is granted via a Maltese government concession upon the company meeting the criteria below:

Other licenses used by online casinos

A Failure By Regulators

By 2018, Bloomberg reported that the European Union was furious with Malta—which the outlet termed “a cryptocurrency and online gambling hub plagued by allegations of corruption and money laundering.” An EU delegation dispatched to investigate reported an atmosphere of fear on the island, where organized crime was said to operate with impunity.

In a reputation-saving exercise, Malta enacted a new Gaming Act on March 8, 2018. Heathcliff Farrugia, who headed the regulator, expressed his belief that the legislation “builds on the foundations of the previous laws and empowers the Authority to further strengthen the way it regulates the industry.” Exactly three years after his appointment, on March 8, 2021, the Times of Malta reported that Farrugia had been charged with corruption. Specifically, it is alleged by the The Times that the former MGA boss “provided commercially sensitive information concerning rival casino operators” to Jorgen Fenech, a businessman who is currently standing trial for commissioning Caruana Galizia’s murder. Fenech has tendered a not-guilty plea to court but was prevented by the Maltese military from fleeing the island aboard his yacht 17 Black. The magistrate issued a warrant used to prevent Fenech’s “attempted escape.”

The Malta of 2019 was a far cry from the nation that joined the European Union in 2004. Unfortunately, things were about to get worse.

Malta’s attractive tax regime

Malta has a straightforward taxation policy that supports businesses and service providers immensely. Gaming companies are not an exception as they too enjoy great benefits due to less taxes. Although Malta’s corporate tax is fixed for every business which is 35%, it allows companies to claim rebates making many of them pay only 5% of net profit. The rates, when compared to other European countries or the rest of the world are very less. This means, that when you invest in gambling business in Malta, your profit accumulates due to the attractive tax regime.

2.1. PayPal: Recommended Payment Method

Where possible, we always recommend using e-Wallet services, and specifically PayPal. There are a number of reasons why we do this. Firstly, eWallets add another level of security to your online casino experience. They allow you to make secure payments without revealing your bank details directly, meaning your data will never be vulnerable to theft.

We recommend PayPal specifically in most cases because it is perhaps the best known and most trusted eWallet online. As luck would have it, PayPal’s reach at online casinos Malta players can use has expanded in recent years. As of 2016 Maltese users can withdraw their PayPal funds into their bank accounts. Previously it was only possible to withdraw onto a credit card or into a United States bank account.

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This is great news for Maltese users, as withdrawals to credit cards often came with additional fees. The only downside to using PayPal at Malta online casinos is that it isn’t available in every single casino yet. Though many of the biggest and best casinos offer the eWallet, it’s still unfortunately absent from some, so that’s something to be aware of.

How to find the best Malta casino

1. Choose a Casino — Choose an MGA-licensed online casino in Malta. Licensed casinos are legal, secure, and provide fair games.
2. Consider the Variety of Games — Make sure the game selection is one you’ll enjoy. In Malta, the greatest online casinos provide a wide range of slots and table games.
3. Check the Available Bonuses — The majority of trustworthy Maltese casino sites provide welcome bonuses. Look for a deal that meets your needs while taking note of the wagering restrictions and expiration dates.
4. Check the Casino App — If you want to play online casino games on your phone or tablet, be sure the casino mobile app is compatible with your device.
5. Consider the Payments Options — To ensure that you can make deposits and withdrawals using your preferred financial institution, check the accessible payment choices at an online casino in Malta.

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She recalls a time in the mid-2000s when she used to accompany officials from the island’s gambling regulator to buildings that hosted her client’s gaming servers. “There’s all kinds of security cameras everywhere,” she remembers noticing, as the designated functionary went around marking individual servers – each one had to be located in Malta – with numbered stickers, designed to seal them from possible tampering – something that now seems absurd. “Fifteen years ago, the industry was an unruly, impulsive teenager,” she says, suppressing laughter. “Now it’s a responsible adult.” Some firms do see their licences revoked by the island’s regulator, though – are some of the unruly teenagers she mentioned still kicking about? “You can't guarantee anything 100%, obviously,” Finkel responds. "But by and large, I think it is a very serious regulated industry.” These days, with the use of cloud storage and blockchain, “there is no cash that they give you across the table,” she said of online gaming firms. “It's not allowed and it's not possible. Everything is traceable, everything is checked.” Any problems with the island’s international reputation these days are simply “clouds'' that will go away at some point. “We just hope,” she says, “it will happen sooner rather than later.”

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Since 2001 the Malta gambling industry has grown significantly. (photo by Flickr)

The Malta Gaming Authority has reported that it anticipates continued growth in the domestic online gambling sector over the next 12 months.This news comes after a difficult 2020 that not only saw the COVID-19 pandemic impact every aspect of the economy but in the case of Malta, it had fallout from Brexit to contend with as well. In the MGAs interim performance report, published recently but covering January-June 2020, they noted that these two factors, combined with international regulatory requirements do somewhat complicate accurate projects.Despite this, a couple of demands within the industry such as mobile gaming and technological developments will probably result in a stable and positive outlook.Malta’s online gambling sectorThe Malta Gaming Authority (formerly the Lotteries and Gaming Authority) was launched in 2001, just two years shy of its European Union accession. It was created to oversee and regulate land-based and online gambling within and from Malta, and to protect the country against financial crime and the targeting of vulnerable players.It was one of the world’s first regulators to offer a framework that targets specifically online gambling while creating a secure and responsible environment for players.Since 2001, Malta’s gambling industry has grown significantly. Furthermore, the Malta Gaming License became one of the most respected in the world and many of the biggest names in online gambling are licensed there. The sector has been on a steady upward trajectory over the last twenty years, attracting more investors, licensees, and entrepreneurs every year.As with many other jurisdictions, there was a shift away from sports betting in 2020, mainly because most sporting events were postponed or cancelled. Hence, games of chance like slots, table games, lotto and eSports generated more revenue. As a result, operators in the country had to rethink and change their business model, focusing on other betting types.The biggest sector in the Maltese online gambling market was, in fact, games of chance against the house with outcomes generated randomly. These include casino games, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, lotteries, and virtual sports games and accounted for over 65% of all revenue.Employment, licenses, and operatorsOnline gambling is a major employer in Malta. Law firms, marketers, affiliates, educational facilities, IT support, web design, and the operators employ combined 8,009 people. The real figure could be higher as these are just those with MGA licensed entities. Also, further 1,557 people are estimated to work in online gambling activities but licensed in other jurisdictions.Online gambling accounts for around 12% of Malta’s GDP. Even during the pandemic, job losses were low (due to the online nature of work), and the sector’s contribution to the situation remained high.As for the license, by June 2020 there were 313 MGA licensed gambling operators in Malta. This number increased since 2017 when 284 companies were operating. The number of employees has also increased by more than 2,000 during the same period, most of which are online jobs.Why is the Malta gambling license in demand?A Maltese license opens many doors for the licensee. It makes it easier to open bank accounts, secure merchant account and payment agreements, and get better games and software. It also means you benefit from some of Malta’s solid reputation- displaying the Malta license on your platform gives players added trust. But there are other benefits.Incorporating a company for your online gambling activities in Malta brings with it excellent tax optimization opportunities. Through Malta’s fully compliant and legal full tax imputation system, you can significantly reduce the tax you pay on revenue- to single digits in some cases. You also benefit from operating in an EU country and having access to more markets.Additionally, Malta gives operators access to some of the industry’s best experts. There is a wealth of knowledge available in-country and multiple ancillary service providers- from marketing, to training, all within a 30-minute drive. Malta’s infrastructure is prepared to support online gambling operators and make its operations as smooth as possible.What’s the catch?Acquiring a Malta gaming license is a bit tougher than setting up in say, Curacao. It requires an in-depth application process that includes face-to-face meetings with the MGA, full background checks, and information on your professional qualifications and capabilities.Also, the price is high. It’s not the most expensive one around, but it’s more expensive than others. This license is generally preferred by startups with capital behind them, or established brands looking to expand. Lastly, the process takes longer than other jurisdictions, and there are more ongoing reporting and compliance matters to attend to.The last wordThe key to success is knowing how to tailor services in a way that means they will not be limited by situations such as a pandemic. For example, strengthening your mobile gambling capabilities, investing in eSports and fantasy sports, as well as games like poker and lotto that are gaining more traction.If you are considering launching or expanding your online gaming business, it’s best to speak with a professional like Fast Offshore. We work in multiple online gambling jurisdictions worldwide and have assisted countless iGaming clients over the last 23 years. From incorporation to tax optimization, bank accounts to payment processors, and licensing, we can take care of the process from A-Z.