License Name
Malta Gaming Authority Gaming Service Licence (Type 1–4)
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Issuing Country/Region
Malta
Regulatory Body
Malta Gaming Authority
Types of Regulated Games
Type 1 – casino/lotteries/RNG; Type 2 – sports betting/pool; Type 3 – P2P poker/bingo/exchange; Type 4 – controlled skill games
Market Coverage
International
Regulator's Reputation
Excellent
Legal Entity Requirements
Company registration in Malta or EU/EEA required
Minimum Share Capital
€100,000 (Types 1 and 2); €40,000 (Types 3 and 4)
Directors and Shareholders Requirements
At least one director; all key personnel must pass MGA fit and proper test, including background checks
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Strict AML and CFT obligations; AML policies and reporting required
Data Protection Requirements
GDPR compliance mandatory
Reporting Requirements
Monthly financial and operational reports via Licensee Portal; annual compliance reporting
Audit Requirements
Pre-licensing systems audit and subsequent compliance audits by MGA-approved providers
Software Certification Requirements
All gaming software certified by accredited testing labs
RNG Certification
Valid certification of RNGs required for applicable games
Payment System Requirements
Use of authorized and secure payment providers; AML controls
Server Location Requirements
Core servers and key systems must be located in Malta or approved EU/EEA jurisdictions
Domain Name Requirements
Domains approved during the application process; .com and others accepted
Language Support Requirements
English mandatory; additional languages optional
Currency Support Requirements
EUR mandatory, major global currencies permitted
Legal Compliance Costs
Legal/advisory fees vary but typically €15,000–€25,000 annually plus taxes and audits
Background Checks
Mandatory for shareholders, directors, and key functionaries
License Scope Restrictions
Does not cover land-based gaming; only online/remote verticals listed under the license
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Requires compliance with Malta’s gaming tax and corporate tax regime
Player Data Storage Requirements
Must comply with GDPR, typically data stored in EU
Cross-Border Operations
Permitted; subject to local market prohibitions outside EU
License Application Transparency
Detailed application tracking and public register maintained by MGA
Regulatory Contact Point
Designated Key Compliance Officer required
Compliance Officer Requirement
MLRO and Data Protection Officer mandatory for most licensees
Local Partnership Requirements
Not required for EU/EEA operators
Legal Dispute Resolution
Malta courts have jurisdiction; arbitration clauses accepted
License Transferability
Transfer only with MGA pre-approval
Sub-Licensing Rules
Sub-licensing to third parties not permitted
License Cost
€5,000 non-refundable application fee; €25,000 annual fixed fee (Types 1–3); €10,000 annual fee (Type 4 only)
Annual Fees
€25,000 per year (Types 1–3); €10,000 per year for Type 4-only operators; additional compliance contribution based on revenue
Income Taxes
Standard Maltese corporate tax applies; 5% gaming tax on Maltese-sourced revenue
Player Winnings Taxes
No withholding tax on player winnings under Maltese law
Financial Guarantees
Minimum share capital held as banked funds; no separate bank guarantee currently
Liquidity Requirements
Minimum share capital must be available and maintained
Financial Reporting Requirements
Monthly and annual reporting to MGA, including audited accounts
Application Processing Time
Typically 4–6 months from complete submission to decision
Required Documents
Company registration, business plan, policies, shareholder and director IDs, criminal checks, technical and financial documentation
Business Plan Requirements
Three-year detailed business plan required
Internal Policy Requirements
AML, KYC, responsible gaming, IT security, and data protection manuals
Testing Requirements
Full platform and RNG testing by MGA-approved laboratories
Certification Requirements
Software and security certification pre-launch and ongoing
Staff Qualifications
Key functionaries must be professionally experienced and pass fit and proper testing
Physical Office Requirements
Registered office required in Malta
Local Representative Requirements
Malta-based contact persons necessary
Marketing Restrictions
Prohibitions on advertising to minors and restricted jurisdictions; compliance with MGA policies
Responsible Gaming Measures
Deposit limits, self-assessment tools, reality checks, self-exclusion mandatory
Self-Exclusion System
Operators must participate in Malta-wide self-exclusion register
Age Verification Procedures
Strict age verification and player checks before account activation
KYC Procedures
Comprehensive KYC for all customers as per MGA guidance
Customer Support Standards
Accessible support in English required; other languages optional
Complaint Handling Procedures
Formal procedures for responding and reporting complaints
Player Funds Protection
Mandatory segregation of player funds from operational accounts
Payout Timelines
Payout processing in line with terms and must be prompt; no set minimum but promptness required
Bonus and Promotion Regulations
Transparent T&Cs, no misleading offers, MGA oversight
Permitted Games List
Casino, betting, bingo, poker, lottery, skill games (per license type and MGA approvals)
Betting Limits
Operator-determined; responsible gaming measures apply
RTP Requirements
Minimum payout (RTP) rates set for games, e.g., slots at least 85%
Jackpot Regulations
Jackpot management and player liability controls required
Live Game Requirements
Allowed with MGA-approved studios and certified providers
Mobile App Compliance
Apps must comply with same regulations as web platforms
Affiliate Program Rules
Permitted with oversight; affiliates must comply with MGA marketing rules
Security Standards
Minimum IT security standards; ISO 27001 recommended but not mandatory
Encryption Requirements
SSL/TLS mandatory for all player data in transit
Backup Requirements
Daily backups, robust disaster recovery required
Monitoring Systems
Audit logging and monitoring of all gaming transactions and system access
Operation Logging
Full logs of financial, gameplay, and system activity maintained and auditable
Anti-Fraud Systems
Fraud prevention and detection tools required
API Integration Standards
Secure, documented APIs for regulated integrations
Hosting Requirements
EU/EEA hosting accepted, Malta preferred for key systems
CDN Usage
Permitted where content is not game logic or player data
Scalability Requirements
Systems must support planned operational loads and stress tests
Uptime Requirements
99.5% uptime recommended, maintenance downtime communicated
Technical Support Availability
24/7 technical and operational support recommended
License Duration
10 years, subject to ongoing compliance
Renewal Procedure
Renewal application with updated documentation before expiry; €5,000 renewal fee plus annual fees
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Fines up to €500,000 per breach; suspension or revocation of license possible
Ownership Change Rules
MGA notification and approval required for significant ownership changes
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
Pre-approval by MGA required
Subcontractor Regulations
MGA must approve critical suppliers; service agreements required
Branding Requirements
MGA badge and responsible gaming notices on site
Intellectual Property Protection
Operators must ensure software/content IP rights
Dispute Arbitration
MGA and Malta courts jurisdiction; alternative resolution recognized
Insurance Requirements
No mandatory liability insurance, but recommended
Charity Contributions
No compulsory contributions required
Staff Training Requirements
Responsible gaming and compliance training for all staff
Innovation Support
Regulatory sandbox available for tech innovation (e.g., blockchain, AI)
Sustainability Initiatives
Environmental and social responsibility encouraged, not mandated
Accessibility Standards
Website accessibility recommended by best practice
Multilingual Support
Optional, English mandatory
Cryptocurrency Support
Crypto gaming allowed only with specific MGA approval and controls
Esports Betting Regulations
Permitted under relevant betting license
Fantasy Sports Regulations
Allowed as controlled skill games under Type 4
Official Address
Malta Gaming Authority, Level 4, South Street, Gzira, GZR 1011, Malta
Postal Address
Malta Gaming Authority, Level 4, South Street, Gzira, GZR 1011, Malta
Facebook URL
https://www.facebook.com/MaltaGamingAuthority
Twitter/X URL
https://twitter.com/MGAMalta
YouTube URL
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmaltaga
Departments
Authorisations Directorate, Compliance Directorate, Enforcement Directorate, Legal & Regulatory Affairs, Finance & Administration, IT & Technology, Policy & International Affairs
FAQ Question 1
What is the Gaming Service Licence (Type 1–4) issued by the Malta Gaming Authority?
FAQ Answer 1
The Gaming Service Licence issued by the Malta Gaming Authority is a regulatory authorization that allows operators to provide specific types of gaming services internationally under Maltese law. It is divided into four types: Type 1 (casino-style games of chance), Type 2 (betting on events based on a fixed-odds model), Type 3 (peer-to-peer gaming such as poker), and Type 4 (controlled skill games).
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues the Gaming Service Licence (Type 1–4)?
FAQ Answer 2
This licence is issued by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the regulatory body responsible for supervising all gambling activities under the Gaming Act in Malta.
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining the Gaming Service Licence (Type 1–4)?
FAQ Answer 3
The application fee is €5,000, with annual licence fees starting from €25,000 depending on the licence type. Additional costs include compliance audits, system testing, and regulatory reporting. Taxes are also applied based on the specific category of games offered.
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for the Gaming Service Licence (Type 1–4)?
FAQ Answer 4
Key requirements include incorporating a company in Malta or the EU/EEA, demonstrating sufficient financial resources, passing fit-and-proper checks for owners and key personnel, implementing certified gaming systems, adhering to anti-money laundering and responsible gambling standards, and complying with ongoing reporting and auditing obligations.