MGA License (Malta)

The Gaming Industry in Malta is regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) which is mainly responsible for granting gaming licenses. Monitoring and supporting gaming operators, ensuring that gaming is fair and transparent to the players. Over the past years, Malta has successfully established itself as a leading, well-regulated strong European online gaming jurisdiction and today the gaming industry in Malta is one of the largest economic sectors in the world.

There are 4 types of licenses, each serving different gaming gambling sector;

  • Type 1 – Games of chance played against the house, the outcome of which is determined by a random generator, and shall include casino-type games, including roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker played against the house, lotteries, secondary lotteries, and virtual sports games;
  • Type 2 – Games of chance played against the house, the outcome of which is not generated randomly, but is determined by the result of an event or competition extraneous to a game of chance, and whereby the operator manages his or her own risk by managing the odds offered to the player;
  • Type 3 – Games of chance not played against the house and wherein the operator is not exposed to gaming risk, but generates revenue by taking a commission or other charge based on the stakes or the prize, and shall include player versus player games such as poker, bingo, betting exchange, and other commission based games;
  • Type 4 – Controlled skill games as per regulation 8 of the Gaming Authorisations Regulations.

Here is what you will need in order to achieve an MGA License:

  1. fit and proper to conduct gaming business.
  2. correctly prepared from a business strategy perspective.
  3. Has the operational and statutory requirements to meet the obligations prescribed by law and policy.
  4. Has correctly implemented what has been applied in a technical environment before going live.

Please bear in mind that a license is subject to minimum issued and paid-up share capital requirements.

Gaming Service Licenses with Type 1 and 2 approvals are required to retain a minimum share capital of €100,000 whilst Gaming Service Licenses with Type 3 and Type 4 approvals are required to retain a minimum share capital of €40,000.

Critical gaming supply license holders are required to retain a minimum share capital of €40,000.

Companies with multiple types are needed to meet the above share capital requirements cumulatively up to a minimum capping of €240,000.

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