Malta is a European country that continues to be one of the most popular destinations for online casinos to obtain gaming licences. The jurisdiction has been providing this service since 2000. Back then, it was known as the Lotteries and Gaming Authority of Malta (LGA) and was later renamed the Malta Gaming Authority. Below, you can see all Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) licensed casinos.
What is the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) Licence?
The Malta Gaming Authority issues three different types of licences to online operators. The most common one is issued to online casinos and sportsbook operators, known as the Gaming Service Licence. It allows online casinos to offer games to players remotely. Four different subtypes exist, issued to operators:
- Type 1 (for games of chance based on RNG, such as slots and casino games)
- Type 2 (for games of chance based on the event outcome, primarily sports betting)
- Type 3 (for peer-to-peer gaming such as poker, betting exchanges, bingo halls, etc.)
- Type 4 (for software companies and controlled skill games)
The annual licence fee for Types 1-3 is €25,000 each, while Type 4 costs €10,000. The application fee is paid once for each type, and it’s fixed at €5,000.
Other two licences issued by the MGA include Critical Gaming Supply Licence and Critical Gaming Supply Licence - Type B. Both allow companies to carry out a critical gaming supply and manage software, but Type B allows them to manage material elements of a game, too.
How Casinos Become Licensed by the MGA
Receiving the gambling licence from the MGA is a process and online operators should prepare for a few months of work-and-wait. Sports betting operators and online casinos go through detailed checks. It’s no surprise that the MGA’s gambling licence is one of the most reputable online casino licences in the world.
The good news for licensees is that the process, although detailed, is well-organised. There’s a Licensee Relationship Management System (LRMS) system on the MGA’s website that allows users to keep track of their status and go through licensing step-by-step.
Once the application is submitted, the MGA will go through the following:
- Background checks (financial stability and integrity of the casino/sportsbook)
- Business and technical ability review (business plan, technical setup, transparency and fairness)
- System review (independent auditor tests the live environment)
Should everything prove to work, the operator receives their licence. However, the MGA will conduct a compliance audit within the first year of operation to ensure operators adhere to the rules.
The Benefits of Playing at MGA Casinos
There are a large number of Malta casinos where you can play, and a lot of people choose the operators with this licence specifically. The most important aspect is that the regulator holds its licensees accountable, so the online casinos with this licence are less likely to go rogue or refuse to delay payments on purpose, etc.
However, the MGA-licensed casinos weren’t always the most reliable, especially in the 2010s when the regulator went too deep into red tape, forgetting to control casinos and undergoing significant staffing changes. In the mid-2010s, the MGA managed to regroup and started working properly.
The MGA casinos have to go through a strict licensing process, which means that not every online casino can receive the badge. Additionally, the regulator monitors the casino, keeping them on the right track.
Playing at Malta casinos means that you can submit complaints directly to the Malta Gaming Authority should any problems arise with the casino. Don’t expect to get the answer right away, but someone will get back to you, eventually.
Meanwhile, our AskGamblers Complaint Service can help you with your account issues, delayed or cancelled withdrawals, but for some things, you have to go directly to the MGA.
How to Find the Best Malta Gaming Authority Casinos
Not all MGA casinos may be available in the country where you live, so it’s always useful to check casinos by country and see which gambling sites are available to you. But all the casinos on this page have the MGA licence, so to pick the best one, follow the steps below:
- Browse through MGA licensed casino list.
- Select your favourite casinos.
- Check CasinoRank and read our online casino review.
- Claim the bonus (optional).
- Play.
New MGA Licensed Casinos
New online casinos open daily and we’re adding them to our site after conducting a detailed analysis and writing a review. All new casinos with the MGA licence are listed on this page and you can always check them out before you sign up.
Although the costs aren’t low, there’s always a queue of casinos waiting to apply or in the application process to receive the MGA licence.
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) Contact Details
- Address: Building SCM 02-03, Level 4, SmartCity Malta, Ricasoli SCM 1001
- Phone: +35625469000
- Website: mga.org.mt
