Malta Gaming Authority (MGA): 2025 Complete Guide to the EU’s Premier Online Casino Regulator

TL;DR (Executive Summary)

• The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is a top‑tier EU regulator renowned for robust player protection, AML/CFT controls, and predictable supervision.
• MGA Online Casino License offers B2C Gaming Service and B2B Critical Gaming Supply licenses, covering casino, betting, P2P games, and controlled skill games.
• Expect rigorous fit‑and‑proper checks, system audits, and ongoing compliance contributions based on GGR bands.
• Benefits include brand trust, EU credibility, strong payments/banking access, and a mature complaint resolution framework.
• Limitations: it’s not a passport to all EU markets; many countries still require local licenses; compliance is continuous and resource‑intensive.

What Is the MGA Online Casino License?

Founded in 2001, the Malta Gaming Authority was the first EU regulator to introduce a comprehensive framework for online gambling. Over two decades later, Malta remains a leading iGaming hub, home to hundreds of operators, platform vendors, and game studios.

The MGA’s mission centers on:

• Protecting players (fair play, dispute resolution, responsible gambling),
• Keeping crime out of gambling (AML/CFT, sanctions, fraud controls),
• Ensuring game integrity (independent testing, technical audits), and
• Fostering a sustainable industry (clear rules, predictable enforcement).

For players, the MGA seal signals trustworthy operations and meaningful recourse if issues arise. For operators and providers, an MGA license opens doors to payments, partnerships, and talent in a supportive yet serious regulatory environment.

License Types at a Glance

MGA Online Casino license are streamlined into two main categories:

1) B2C — Gaming Service Licence

A single licence under which you can offer one or more verticals (subject to approval). MGA classifies activities into four game types:

• Type 1: Games of chance played against the house, outcome determined by RNG (e.g., slots, virtual table games, lotteries).
• Type 2: Games of chance played against the house, outcome not determined by RNG but by event (e.g., fixed‑odds betting).
• Type 3: Games played in a peer‑to‑peer configuration (e.g., poker, bingo, betting exchange).
• Type 4: Controlled skill games (certain fantasy sports/esports formats when designated by MGA).

You can combine multiple types under one B2C licence if your controls and systems adequately cover each vertical.

2) B2B — Critical Gaming Supply Licence

For vendors that provide critical gaming supplies, such as game software, RNGs, platforms, and managed services used by B2C licensees. This is essential for studios and platform providers looking to distribute content to MGA‑licensed operators.

Good to know: Key individuals (UBOs, directors, MLRO, Compliance Officer, etc.) must pass fit‑and‑proper checks for both B2C and B2B licences.

Who Needs an MGA Online Casino License?

You generally need an B2C MGA online casino licence if you:

• Target players in jurisdictions that accept MGA as a valid regulator (and do not require a local licence),
• Operate casino games, betting, poker, bingo, or other interactive gaming for real money, and
• Host or control critical functions (wallet, RNG, game servers, player account management) for those players.

You need a B2B licence if you:

• Develop casino games (RNG or live),
• Provide gaming platforms or managed services critical to the gaming transaction, or
• Supply RNGs, RGS, or other critical software to MGA‑licensed operators.

Eligibility & Fit‑and‑Proper Criteria

MGA’s suitability assessment focuses on honesty, integrity, competence, and financial soundness. Expect:

• Corporate due diligence (group structure, beneficial ownership, funding sources),
• Personal due diligence (PEP exposure, criminal/civil checks, financial probity),
• Business viability (credible plan, cash flow, risk management), and
• Policies & procedures (AML/CFT, RG, IT/security, incident handling, complaints, outsourcing).

Failure to disclose information is itself grounds for refusal. Transparency is non‑negotiable.

The Licensing Process (Step‑by‑Step)

Timelines vary by readiness, but a well‑prepared applicant can navigate the process in ~4–6 months.

Step 1 — Strategy & Scoping

• Map your verticals (Type 1–4) and markets.
• Define technology stack (platform, RGS, hosting, data flows).
• Decide in‑house vs outsourced functions (KYC, payments, risk).
• Appoint key persons (MLRO, Compliance Officer, Data Protection Officer where applicable).

Step 2 — Application Dossier

Prepare a comprehensive pack:

• Corporate docs (registers, beneficial owners, group chart, funding),
• Key person applications (CVs, references, declarations),
• Policies (AML/CFT manual, RG policy, IT/Sec, change control, incident response, vendor/outsourcing),
• Technical file (architecture, RNG certificates, game certification scope, monitoring tooling),
• Business plan (markets, product roadmap, 3‑year financials, risk assessment).

Step 3 — Systems Review & Pre‑Approval

MGA reviews the dossier and may request clarifications. You’ll align on testing labs and the scope of system audit (pre‑go‑live). Any sandboxed features (e.g., crypto rails) require documented AML controls.

Step 4 — System Audit (by an approved auditor)

Independent auditors verify your platform controls, integrations, reporting, and security against MGA requirements. Findings are remediated and retested as needed.

Step 5 — Go‑Live Authorization

Upon a satisfactory audit, MGA issues the licence and you may commence operations per granted scope. Early‑stage operations remain under heightened monitoring.

Step 6 — Post‑Launch Compliance Audit

Within the first year (and periodically thereafter), you’ll undergo a compliance audit to validate that live controls match the dossier and system audit commitments.

Technical & Security Expectations

• Independent RNG & game certification via approved labs (e.g., GLI, iTech, eCOGRA).
• Change management for deployments, with rollback and segregation of duties.
• Logging & monitoring of transactions, sessions, KYC/AML events, and critical system events.
• Secure infrastructure (network segmentation, WAF, DDoS mitigation, backups, disaster recovery).
• Data protection aligned to GDPR (lawful basis, retention, DPIAs for high‑risk processing).
• Incident management with notification flows (including when to notify the MGA and the IDPC/Data Protection Authority).

Responsible Gambling (RG) Framework

MGA online casino license requires B2C operators to implement:

• Self‑exclusion (account‑level; time‑outs and permanent options),
• Player‑set limits (deposit, loss, wager, session time),
• Reality checks and cool‑off tools,
• Age verification and underage gambling prevention,
• Prominent links to support organisations and RG education,
• Data‑driven monitoring to identify markers of harm and intervene.

Advertising and bonuses must not target vulnerable groups or mislead players. Terms must be fair and transparent.

AML/CFT Controls

Core pillars of MGA‑aligned AML frameworks include:

• Risk assessment (jurisdiction, product, channel, transaction),
• KYC/CDD at onboarding and throughout the lifecycle (including EDD for high‑risk cases),
• PEP/sanctions screening, adverse media checks,
• Source of funds/wealth verification where risk‑appropriate,
• Transaction monitoring with rules and ML‑assisted analytics,
• Recordkeeping and SAR/STR reporting to the FIU as required,
• Independent audit and annual AML training for relevant staff.

Crypto acceptance (where part of your model) must sit within a robust VFA/crypto compliance perimeter (wallet screening, on/off‑ramp KYC, travel‑rule‑aligned transfers via third‑party providers where applicable).

Ongoing Obligations (After You’re Licensed)

• Compliance contribution & fees: paid on schedule, often banded by GGR and linked to your game types.
• Financial reporting: periodic MI, audited financial statements, and any prudential requirements the MGA online casino license imposes.
• Operational reporting: material incidents, changes to ownership/control, outsourcing of critical functions, or changes to your technical setup.
• Game & platform changes: updates may require test‑lab certification and/or prior notification/approval.
• Annual RG/AML reviews: evidence of training, testing, and remediation.
• Vendor oversight: ongoing due diligence and performance monitoring of outsourced providers.

Failing to adhere can trigger remediation orders, administrative penalties, suspension, or licence cancellation.

Fees, Taxes & Capital (What to Budget)

Exact values change over time; plan for the following buckets:

• Application & annual licence fees (B2C vs B2B differ).
• Compliance contribution (a tiered percentage of GGR, varying by game type and revenue bands).
• Gaming duties (e.g., on Maltese player GGR) and standard corporate costs.
• Minimum paid‑up share capital (higher when combining multiple game types).
• Audit & certification costs (system audit, game/RNG certification, annual financial audit).
• Compliance operations (staffing for MLRO, compliance, risk, QA, security).

Tip: Model both a base case and a stress case for compliance contributions and duties. As GGR scales, your compliance contribution will too.

Advantages of an MGA Online Casino License

• EU credibility and brand trust recognised by players, partners, and payment providers.
• One B2C licence can cover multiple verticals (subject to approval) — efficient for multi‑product roadmaps.
• Strong payments/banking access thanks to Malta’s mature iGaming ecosystem.
• Pragmatic regulator: clear guidance, structured audits, and published enforcement outcomes.
• B2B distribution: an MGA B2B licence helps studios integrate with hundreds of MGA‑licensed operators.

Limitations & Common Pitfalls

• Not an EU‑wide passport: many EU states operate ring‑fenced regimes (Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany). You’ll still need local licences or to geo‑restrict.
• Continuous compliance: audits, reporting, and testing are ongoing — budget for a permanent compliance function.
• Misaligned outsourcing: poor vendor governance can compromise controls (KYC, payments, hosting).
• Weak change control: untracked releases can invalidate certifications and lead to findings.
• Inadequate RG analytics: lack of harm detection can result in enforcement action and reputational risk.

Player Protections Under the MGA

For players, key safeguards include:

• Game fairness (independent testing, certified RNGs, published RTP ranges),
• Responsible gambling tools (limits, time‑outs, self‑exclusion),
• Complaints & dispute escalation: from operator support to a formal complaint process via the MGA’s Player Support Unit (PSU),
• Transparent T&Cs and clear bonus rules,
• Data privacy aligned to GDPR.

How to raise a complaint:

1. Contact the casino’s support; 2) escalate to its internal complaints team/ADR; 3) if unresolved, submit details to the MGA Player Support Unit with evidence (timestamps, chat logs, KYC communications, etc.).

Content & Market Compliance (Product teams)

• Game content: ensure RTP disclosure matches certification; track jurisdiction‑specific restrictions (e.g., autospin/bonus‑buy rules where applicable).
• UX: surface RG tools prominently; do not dark‑pattern opt‑outs.
• Promos: terms must be concise, fair, and upfront (eligibility, wagering, caps).
• Geo‑controls: maintain an up‑to‑date licensing matrix and block restricted markets at the cashier and account creation.

MGA vs Other Licences (Quick Comparison)

Feature / Regulator	MGA (EU)	UKGC (UK)	Curaçao (reforming)
Brand trust	High	Very High	Medium (improving)
Compliance burden	Medium‑High	High	Low‑Medium
Time to licence	~4–6 months	~6–12+ months	~1–3 months
Market access	Grey/EU‑friendly (not a passport)	UK only (legally)	Grey/global (not white markets)
RG/AML strictness	Strong	Strongest	Improving
Costs (directional)	Medium‑High	High	Low‑Medium

This table is directional. Always verify current fees, timelines, and rules before committing to a jurisdiction.

FAQs — Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)