How To Get A Gaming License in Malta 2024

Malta’s history with online gambling goes back to the early 2000s. This jurisdiction was one of the early pioneers in creating a legal framework for gambling. Malta Gaming Authority was officially established in 2001 for online casinos, digital sportsbooks, and land-based casinos. The regulatory body is responsible for issuing licenses, as well as renewing and cancelling them.

Throughout the years, Malta has established itself as one of the leading regulatory bodies for iGaming license Malta. When gamblers see the Malta license logo, they know they can trust the gambling platform to be fair and secure.

Recently, the Malta Gaming Authority made history again as being the first jurisdiction to legislate crypto and blockchain. Along with this, they have also created the framework for incorporating cryptocurrency among platforms that are already licensed by MGA. This has been the beginning of many online casinos and sportsbooks adding crypto options to their platforms.

What Happens If You Operate Without a License?

Unfortunately, players still run the risk of coming across online casinos without a license. Operating without a license is never a good idea for casino operators. If you were thinking about skipping the licensing process or even launching your site before your application is officially approved, you might want to give it a second thought.

There are several consequences that operators face if they decide to launch without a license. To start off, software providers and payment providers won’t want to partner with the gambling site. This limits the amount of options you can have and also prevents people from wanting to join the casino.

When customers discover that the casino is operating without a license, it can do serious damage to the operator’s reputation. They will make a name for themselves in the industry as untrustworthy. Even if they close the unlicensed casino and open a new one, the damage is already done to their company.

Those were just the minor consequences of operating without a license. There can be much more serious problems coming your way. Unlicensed casinos could be subject to hefty fines. They also run the risk of having the casino permanently closed and in some cases, the operator could face jail time.

Casino operators can apply for getting a license directly via the official Malta Gaming Authority licensee portal. Applications can also be found directly on this platform. There are application options for the following types of operations:

• B2C Licenses
• B2B Licenses
• Permits
• Individuals
• Recognition Notes
• Audit Service Provider Approvals

When you choose the type of license you want, there will be several types that you can apply for. For example, if an operator needs to apply for a B2C license, they will have the option to apply for remote gaming services, land-based casinos, commercial bingo halls, controlled gaming premises, and national lottery licenses.

We recommend reviewing the useful links on MGA, such as the FAQ page, to familiarize yourself with what’s expected before filing an application. This is very important because one mistake could prevent your application from being approved.

Who Issues Malta Sublicenses?

There are several types of Malta licenses for the gambling industry. All of them are issued by the Malta Gaming Authority. This organization is responsible for monitoring all gambling activity in the jurisdiction, whether it’s slot machines at a local pub or a popular online casino site. Its duty is to ensure that every licensed operator is in compliance with the standards and regulations.

The Gambling Act states all of the regulations. This ensures that all gambling activities follow a singular law and are regulated by one authority.

Types of Malta Gambling Licenses

There are various types of gambling licenses available through Malta. The two main types are B2C and B2B licenses. A B2C license is for businesses that intend to supply services directly to customers. As in, one online casino platform that provides games and tournaments to members who register an account. The B2B licenses are for businesses that offer to other companies. This would be one operator who would supply services to multiple online casinos or sportsbooks.

With the B2C license, there are four classes. A class 1 license allows casino operators to host games and lottery events at their own risk. The class 2 license is for fixed-odds games and online sports betting. Class 3 is for peer-to-peer games, like Bingo, poker, betting pools, etc. It also allows advertising. The last one is class 4, also called remote gaming license Malta, which enables the operator to host and manage remote gaming operations.

Malta-licensed casinos undergo a very strict review before passing the test. Several requirements must be met, or else the license application will be rejected. As mentioned above, operators will need to have a business plan, financial records, and a clean background check.

Below, we’ll review all of the documents you need to provide to receive a Malta gambling license. It’s crucial that you supply all of the correct documentation and information in your application. This will prevent any hassles that could delay the process.

Documents Necessary For Company Registration

When you’re ready to apply for a Malta license, you can do so directly from the MGA website in the licensee portal. Before you begin, you must ensure you have digital copies of all the required documents. These can all be uploaded directly with your application, making things easy on your end. Below are all of the documents you will need to provide. Please note that during your application review, MGA may request further documents:

• Business plan
• Police good conduct certificate (no older than three months)
• Bank references (no older than three months)
• Copy of owner’s passport
• Compliance and software audit
• Passed Fit and Proper test
• Gaming software details
• Third-party agreements

The Malta gambling license cost is higher than other jurisdictions. For this reason, it’s only recommended that serious applicants apply. The exact Malta gaming license cost per year will vary because each casino operator has different needs from the next. However, there are some fees that every operator should prepare for. This includes the application fee, start-up fees, annual license fees, and taxes.

The license application fee is €5,000 and non-refundable. If your application is rejected, you will not get the money back. Operators must pay annual licensing fees to keep the MGA license. For classes 1, 2, and 3, there is a €25,000 fee, and for class 4, it’s €10,000. For more information on the Malta online gambling license cost for your operation, you will need to reach out to the support team at [email protected].

How Long Does It Take to Get a Malta Gaming License?

Malta Gaming Authority is very thorough with the application review. They need to make sure every box is checked before they can approve a gambling platform. For this reason, it’s not a speedy process. On average, it can take around 12 to 16 weeks for an application to be approved. And this is if everything went smoothly. If anything is missing or incorrect, operators can expect a lengthier wait.

Once an operator is approved and issued a Malta Gaming Authority license, it can take between 60 and 90 days to go live. While this is a long process, it’s well with it. An MGA license is valid for ten years as long as the casino follows the code of conduct and pays the fees and taxes.