Finding MGA Malta Licensed Online Casinos

The Malta Gaming Authority is known throughout the world since it was an early adopter of online gambling regulation. Malta is still the home of many gambling businesses for this reason. Read on to find out more about the MGA Malta and how to find licensed online casinos.

The Malta Gaming Authority – or MGA – has been around since 2001. In its more than twenty years of operation it has established itself as a leader in the gambling industry thanks to its early adoption of online gambling regulation. It attracted business from many companies seeking to get gaming licenses for this reason. You can use the links below to navigate to specific pieces of information about the MGA license process, and how to find MGA licensed casinos in Malta.

• MGA Malta Gaming Authority: History
• How Malta’s Gambling Has Developed Over Time
• How MGA Online Casinos in Malta Operate
• Steps for Licensing

MGA Malta Gaming Authority: History

The MGA is a gaming authority that serves the country of Malta, an archipelago in the Mediterranean. Malta is part of the European Union and is the tenth-smallest country in the world, and one of the most densely populated. It is considered by some to be a city-state, since the whole of the country is considered to be part of one unified region. Since Malta is close to Italy, Tunisia and other important bases, it was a strategic base for many countries and was controlled by various others until it declared independence in 1964.

Though Malta was part of the UK’s Commonwealth and had a British military presence until 1979, the country eventually voted to join the European Union as a member state. The Euro is one of its currencies while both Maltese and English are official languages there. All of this history can help to explain while Malta has become such a hub for gaming activity in the modern world.

How Malta’s Gambling Has Developed Over Time

Gambling was enjoyed in Malta since its early history, long before the country we know it as now developed. Games of chance were incorporated into Maltese law early on as well. In 1921, a law allowed for the regulation of gambling in Malta. The initiative was successful and allowed the state to collect tax revenue. After WWII, the Malta National Lottery was formed as another step in the development of its gaming industry.

At the time, this was also seen as a way to generate much needed income after the devastation of the war era. Luckily, the plan was successful and the lottery became extremely popular in Malta. It also drew customers from outside of Malta, which is an early example of how the country’s policies have attracted visitors and customers from around the world, though especially from Europe and the UK.

With steps like this, Malta created its brand as an entertainment capital. It approached the idea of online gambling in the same way. Since other countries did not have legal outlets for this new, cutting edge vertical, the Maltese were clever to be ahead of the game. 80 years after the formation of its first gaming law, the MGA Malta Gaming Authority was born. This paved the way for Malta to regulate online gambling three years later, in 2004.

In this regard, Malta was far ahead of its European neighbors, and it has seen the benefits. Now, online gambling accounts for at least 12% of Malta’s GDP. The MGA Malta Gaming Authority is seen as an example for the rest of the world, having now regulated online gambling for more than two decades. Over 300 gambling companies hold licenses in Malta today.

How MGA Online Casinos in Malta Operate

As a leader in online gaming, MGA has several key responsibilities. Malta MGA online casinos are under its purview, for one. The MGA certifies operators according to its licensing rules. Games are checked for fairness. A certification from the MGA is a great sign that an online casino is operating fairly, for example, and that it will not scam players.

Malta MGA online casinos are also checked for other forms of compliance. Before getting licensed, operators must prove that they have financial backing suitable for running the business. That means being able to get the company off the ground, but also have enough money to pay out prizes. Finally, these companies must also ensure they have airtight data protection, to provide a secure playing environment for bettors.

As with many gaming authorities, Malta MGA licensed casinos must also show that they meet standards regarding the prevention of problem gaming. This is sometimes done through the presence of a self-exclusion registry. Casinos also usually must show some aspect of gaming education on their site, and resources available for those who are concerned about the effects of gaming on themselves or loved ones.

The MGA also works fiercely to prevent crime from infiltrating online gambling platforms. Money laundering is a major concern of many gaming authorities and governments of the world. Unfortunately, it is a prevalent, international issue. Part of what the MGA can do to help is monitor activity and respond when rules are broken. It issues fines and cancels licenses if a Malta MGA licensed casino is failing to comply.

If you have an issue with a MGA online casino, you can submit a complaint directly to the authority. However, the MGA will warn you to first try to resolve the issue with the casino itself. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you can approach the MGA by providing necessary details about your issue and your online player information. Always keep evidence in order to file a complaint against an online gambling platform.

Steps for Licensing

As you can imagine from the above descriptions, casinos that want a license to operate in Malta must go through a rigorous process. There is a set of about seven different forms the company must provide with information ranging from financial background and assets to declarations of criminal convictions and more. Companies must show an adequate business plan, too.

Since gaming is such a big business in Malta, there are also law firms that specialize in this precisely. Companies that want guidance for getting started in Malta can hire firms to go through the entire process with them from start to finish. This expertise costs a pretty penny however.

If successful, the MGA will grant a license to a company and give them 60 days to prepare the technical aspects of hosting their games. Before the products go live, the MGA will audit the platform(s) to make sure they meet the necessary standards. If they do, the platform is free to operate. “Free” may be a misnomer, however! There are many fees associated with operating a gambling company in Malta, which we explain below.

Once licensed, online gaming operator’s responsibilities with the MGA do not end. They must submit transparent reports about their operations on a regular basis so that the authority may monitor their activities and ensure everything is above board. If further information is requested, they must do their best to provide it. That also means complying with investigations in cases like match-fixing inquiries, for example.

Licensing Costs in Malta

In general, the cost for a license is not cheap. The type of license a company receives depends on the type(s) of games it offers. These are categorized into four types. The most expensive licenses are issues for games in Type 1 and Type 2. Casino games played against the house and most forms of sports betting are classified under Types 1 and 2.

Less expensive licenses are available for operating games that do not fall into these two categories. Poker, bingo and fantasy sports are considered Type 3 and 4 games and require the corresponding license. All in all, companies looking to receive a license must be prepared to: show their available capital upfront (meeting the thresholds for their gaming license type), pay a yearly license, and pay a percentage of their earnings every year.

The tax rate depends on how much the company earns, and from what type of game. There is a slight break for companies as they earn more from gaming, for example. All in all, Malta’s licensing system is considered accessible. They offer competitive rates and breaks for high earners. This makes it a much more hospitable country to get a license in than many others around the world, which also explains its popularity as a destination for online gambling firms.