The regulation of online gambling, which Malta first launched in 2004, remains one of the most widely recognized regulatory frameworks in the world. Today, the Malta Gaming Authority, or MGA, regulates the entire remote gambling sector. In recent years, there have been several reforms, most recently the reform of the gaming fiscal regime in 2018. The last few years have clearly shown that a license from Malta is highly regarded by banks, payment service providers, anti-money laundering officers, software partners, governments, other regulatory authorities, and most importantly, players. Malta’s gaming regulatory framework has an excellent reputation. However, it should be noted that Malta is no longer the only country with solid gaming regulation. Other countries are trying to overtake Malta, via their own regulations or with bans, and for commercial motives (fees, gaming tax revenue). This is possible because gambling law is still not harmonized at the EU level, although you can legally bet online in most European countries. Nevertheless, one must emphasize quite clearly: from a certain primacy, or from a certain size/presence in a certain country, you should consider applying for your own license there, if possible. This does not mean that Malta is becoming obsolete, quite the contrary: Malta can still be used internally for tax reasons, for reputation reasons, and of course in an international/global context. Similar to the financial services industry, it is now common practice to start in Malta and then, depending on performance, apply for additional licenses abroad, if needed. Malta basically offers different types of licenses:
The MGA will also decide on games classifications, and whether such games are licensable or not. Classes include:
Type 1 – Games played against the house, whose outcome is determined by a random number generator. This includes casino type games: roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker against the house, lotteries, secondary lotteries and Virtual Sports games;
Type 2 – Games played against the house, whose outcome is not determined by a random number generator, but by the result of an event or competition outside of gambling, and where the operator manages his own risk by managing the odds offered to the player; and/or;
Type 3 – Games not played against the house and where the operator is not exposed to gaming risk but generates revenue by taking a commission or other fee based on stakes or prizes. This includes player-versus-player games such as poker, bingo, betting exchange, and other commission-based games;
Type 4 – Controlled skill games according to provision 8 of the “Gaming Authorisations Regulations.”
Our gambling licensing services in Malta are aimed at entrepreneurs and companies interested in offering their gambling services in a strictly regulated and recognized framework. Companies that do not shy away from the effort and strict requirements of proper regulation, but rather see them as a quality feature and competitive advantage, particularly benefit from our service. Our services are ideal for start-ups in the gambling sector as well as established companies that want to expand their market presence and take advantage of the Maltese license to gain trust from banks, payment service providers, regulatory authorities, and players.
Our gambling licensing service in Malta includes a comprehensive package of services that ensures your company meets all regulatory requirements and can successfully operate in the gambling market. This includes:
As DW&P Dr. Werner & Partner, we can offer you representation during the entire licensing process as well as the necessary company service. We see our service as an “A to Z service” that includes regulatory, legal, tax, operational, and management consulting. In addition to the project management of the entire process, we involve external and experienced consultants early on, following the four-eyes principle, to ensure that the application is prepared independently and sustainably. It is particularly emphasized that applications, forms, and various declarations and certifications involved in the initial process are fully prepared internally by us. We try to hand over the documents almost ready for signature. We also recommend you to a system auditor who reviews and comments on the technical documents before the MGA examination. Meanwhile, our legal department provides the so-called “Policies and Procedures” as a draft, which are then adjusted to the current business case in collaboration with the applicant or clients. DW&P Dr. Werner & Partner also handles all communication with the MGA, whether directly or indirectly. We want to be the central point of contact for the project. For the roles required by the regulator that are involved in a gambling operation, we advise you on the staffing and can recommend partners or service providers who can fill the corresponding roles if necessary. Please note that these third-party service providers will charge separately. Assisting in the design of the business plan is also part of our services. We can also recommend external service providers, such as software developers, marketing or payment service providers, or banks, if desired.
In Malta, there are four main types of gambling licenses: Class 1 license (Casino, Lottery, Virtual Sports), Class 2 license (Betting), Class 3 license (Poker, Pool Betting, Player-to-Player), and Class 4 license (Fantasy Games). We help you choose the right license for your specific business needs and support you throughout the entire application process.
After obtaining the license, you must meet a number of compliance requirements, including regular reporting to the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), adherence to anti-money laundering regulations, and ensuring responsible gaming operations. We assist you in meeting these requirements to avoid penalties and legal issues.
Wir bieten umfassende Unterstützung bei der Einhaltung aller gesetzlichen Vorschriften, einschließlich der Vorbereitung und Einreichung von Berichten, Schulungen für Ihr Team und regelmäßigen Audits. Unsere Experten sorgen dafür, dass Ihr Unternehmen stets compliant ist und potenzielle Risiken minimiert werden.
A Maltese gaming license is primarily valid for operation in and from Malta. However, it may be possible to have your license recognized in other countries, depending on the respective legal requirements. We will advise you on what additional licenses or permits may be required to operate in other jurisdictions.
The process of obtaining a gaming license in Malta can take between 6 and 9 months, depending on the completeness of the documents submitted and the complexity of the business model. We ensure that all required documents are submitted correctly and keep you informed throughout the process to minimize delays.
The MGA requires strict technical requirements and regular audits to ensure that all games are fair and secure. This also includes IT security checks and game system certifications. We help you meet these requirements by connecting you with qualified system auditors and technical experts.
Involvement of external consultants for quality assurance.
Preparation of all necessary applications and certifications.
Recommendation of an auditor for pre-examination of technical documents.
Assistance in creating the business plan.
Advice on tax optimization and structuring.
Support in setting up operational processes.
Provision and customization of policies and procedures.
Complete management of the licensing process.
Mediation of external service providers such as software developers and payment service providers.
Junior Partner
Dr. Rebecca Camilleri
Senior New Business Manager
Horst Wickinghoff
Business Development Manager
Claude Mifsud Wismayer
Always free of charge.
DW&P Dr. Werner & Partners. One of leading tax & law firms in Malta.
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Corporate Services at DW&P Dr. Werner & Partners are provided by DW&P Services Ltd. (C 103208) which is regulated by the MFSA and is licensed under Authorised Person ID: DSER-23577 to carry out the activities of a Class C CSP in terms of the Company Services Providers Act (Cap. 529 of the Laws of Malta).
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