License Name
Critical Gaming Supply Licence
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Issuing Country/Region
Malta
Regulatory Body
Malta Gaming Authority
Types of Regulated Games
Games of chance (casino, poker, lotteries), fixed odds betting, pool betting, peer-to-peer poker, bingo, controlled skill games
Market Coverage
International
Regulator's Reputation
Excellent
Legal Entity Requirements
Company registration in Malta or the EU is required
Minimum Share Capital
€40,000; up to €240,000 for companies with multiple approvals
Directors and Shareholders Requirements
Fit and proper checks required for all directors and key personnel
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Comprehensive AML and counter-financing of terrorism policies and procedures required
Data Protection Requirements
GDPR compliance is mandatory
Reporting Requirements
Periodic financial and compliance reporting to the MGA
Audit Requirements
Regular system audits, technical environment reviews by independent third parties
Software Certification Requirements
Mandatory software certification by approved labs
RNG Certification
Required for games using random number generators
Payment System Requirements
Use of certified and approved payment providers
Server Location Requirements
Servers may be located in Malta, EU, or with specific approval
Domain Name Requirements
No local domain restrictions
Language Support Requirements
English mandatory; Maltese and other languages recommended
Currency Support Requirements
EUR mandatory, other major currencies allowed
Legal Compliance Costs
Legal and compliance costs apply; annual compliance fees based on revenue
Background Checks
Criminal and regulatory background checks on key personnel
License Scope Restrictions
B2B activities only, not for direct consumer gaming
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Compliance with Malta’s corporate tax regime; 5% gaming tax on revenue from Maltese players
Player Data Storage Requirements
Player and transaction data must be stored in accordance with GDPR
Cross-Border Operations
Permitted across jurisdictions, aligning with EU and international standards
License Application Transparency
Required publication of licensee details in public register
Regulatory Contact Point
Applicant must designate a compliance officer and regulatory liaison
Compliance Officer Requirement
Appointment of a Compliance Officer for AML compliance
Local Partnership Requirements
Not usually required for B2B entities registered in Malta or EU
Legal Dispute Resolution
Disputes resolved under Maltese law or arbitration
License Transferability
Subject to regulatory approval
Sub-Licensing Rules
Sub-licensing not permitted
License Cost
€5,000 application fee
Annual Fees
€25,000 annually (additional tiers: €30,000 for €5M-10M revenue, €35,000 above €10M; €10,000 for Type 4-only providers)
Income Taxes
Corporate tax on profits (currently 35% standard rate with possible deductions)
Player Winnings Taxes
No withholding tax required on player winnings
Financial Guarantees
Must maintain required share capital and a positive equity position at all times
Liquidity Requirements
Sufficient working capital must be demonstrated and maintained
Financial Reporting Requirements
Periodic reports per MGA format and schedules
Application Processing Time
Typically 4–6 months
Required Documents
Certificate of incorporation, business plan, technical & compliance documentation, key staff credentials
Business Plan Requirements
Comprehensive business and operational plan mandatory
Internal Policy Requirements
Written AML, KYC, and responsible gaming policies required
Testing Requirements
Pre-launch technical and system review by approved independent auditors
Certification Requirements
Software and platform certification by approved test labs
Staff Qualifications
Key staff must be approved as fit and proper with relevant experience
Physical Office Requirements
Must have a registered office in Malta or EU
Local Representative Requirements
Appointment of at least one local/key person in Malta required
Marketing Restrictions
Must comply with MGA guidelines; advertising to minors strictly prohibited
Responsible Gaming Measures
Responsible gaming tools and mandatory policies required
Self-Exclusion System
Operators must offer a self-exclusion system
Age Verification Procedures
Robust age and identity verification protocols
KYC Procedures
Enhanced due diligence and customer verification required
Customer Support Standards
Support in at least English, additional languages recommended
Complaint Handling Procedures
Accessible complaints process; regulatory escalation allowed
Player Funds Protection
Segregation of player funds is mandatory
Payout Timelines
Must adhere to prompt payout standards
Bonus and Promotion Regulations
Clear terms and conditions; compliance with MGA rules
Permitted Games List
Casino, betting, poker, lotteries, skill games (subject to vertical approval)
Betting Limits
No MGA-mandated limits; operator discretion within responsible gaming frameworks
RTP Requirements
Not specified for B2B licensees; applies to B2C operators
Jackpot Regulations
Management compliant with applicable vertical-specific requirements
Live Game Requirements
B2B providers must ensure compliance; B2C regulations apply for live games
Mobile App Compliance
Platform subject to same standards as desktop
Affiliate Program Rules
Permitted under compliance oversight
Security Standards
ISO 27001 information security management recommended; minimum standards mandatory
Encryption Requirements
Mandatory SSL/TLS encryption for all web traffic and client communications
Backup Requirements
Daily automated data backups are standard practice
Monitoring Systems
24/7 operational and technical monitoring required
Operation Logging
Comprehensive operation and transaction logging
Anti-Fraud Systems
Fraud detection and prevention mandatory
API Integration Standards
APIs must comply with MGA security and integrity criteria
Hosting Requirements
Hosting in EU jurisdictions or otherwise with MGA approval
CDN Usage
Permitted
Scalability Requirements
Platform must be able to scale with business growth and load
Uptime Requirements
99.5% minimum recommended
Technical Support Availability
24/7 support for continuity of critical gaming operations
License Duration
10 years (as per current policy); subject to renewal
Renewal Procedure
Renewal application prior to expiration, review and payment of renewal fee
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Fines, suspension, or revocation of licence; up to €466,000 for severe breaches
Ownership Change Rules
Any change in ownership or control above 5% must be notified and approved
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
Prior approval of the MGA required for significant restructuring
Subcontractor Regulations
Key third-party providers must be MGA-approved
Branding Requirements
Use of MGA marks subject to guidelines
Intellectual Property Protection
Operators must safeguard software/content IP rights
Dispute Arbitration
Maltese law prevails; arbitration is permitted
Insurance Requirements
Professional indemnity or liability insurance recommended
Charity Contributions
No mandatory requirements
Staff Training Requirements
Regular training in compliance, security, and responsible gaming required
Innovation Support
MGA supports regulatory innovation, including sandboxes for new technologies
Sustainability Initiatives
Encouraged, not mandatory
Accessibility Standards
Adherence to accessibility guidelines is recommended
Multilingual Support
English required, others recommended for international support
Cryptocurrency Support
Require specific MGA approval and enhanced controls
Esports Betting Regulations
Permitted subject to relevant MGA vertical
Fantasy Sports Regulations
Permitted as a controlled skill game
Official Address
Malta Gaming Authority, Level 4, South Street, Southport, Gzira GZR 1011, Malta
Postal Address
Malta Gaming Authority, Level 4, South Street, Southport, Gzira GZR 1011, Malta
Online Application Portal
https://www.mga.org.mt/licensee-hub/applications/b2b-licences/game-providers-and-back-office/
Work Hours
Monday to Friday, 08:30 – 17:00
Facebook URL
https://www.facebook.com/MaltaGamingAuthority
Twitter/X URL
https://twitter.com/MGAMalta
YouTube URL
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmaltaga
Departments
Authorisations, Compliance & AML, Legal & Enforcement, Policy Development, Technology & Innovation
FAQ Question 1
What is the Critical Gaming Supply Licence issued by the Malta Gaming Authority?
FAQ Answer 1
The Critical Gaming Supply Licence allows suppliers to provide critical gaming components such as gaming software, systems, or equipment to licensed operators. This licence ensures that suppliers meet stringent regulatory standards related to integrity, security, and reliability in the gaming supply chain.
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues the Critical Gaming Supply Licence?
FAQ Answer 2
This licence is issued by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the regulatory body overseeing gaming operations and suppliers under Maltese law.
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining the Critical Gaming Supply Licence?
FAQ Answer 3
The application fee is approximately €5,000, with annual fees starting from €10,000. Additional costs may include compliance audits, technical certifications, and ongoing regulatory reporting expenses.
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for the Critical Gaming Supply Licence?
FAQ Answer 4
Key requirements include demonstrating technical expertise and financial stability, passing thorough fit-and-proper checks for owners and key personnel, implementing secure and certified gaming software or systems, and adhering to anti-money laundering and responsible supply chain regulations. Suppliers must also maintain ongoing compliance with MGA standards and cooperate with audits.