For iGaming to contribute over 12% to a country’s GDP, then you know there has been plenty of intentional investment directed towards that sector. Well, that’s Malta for you and the biggest reason for this immense growth is its regulatory environment powered by one of the most sought-after licensing bodies, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).
But why should this license matter to players across Europe? Well, in real terms:
The MGA license may not be the strictest in the business but even large, trusted franchises such as LeoVegas and the Kindred Group carry these credentials. Newer niche offerings that focus on AI and crypto-enhanced platforms and it’s this mix that shows the MGA isn’t for a particular group of operators, instead, it’s home for all.
And since we’re talking about operators, why don’t we discover the best casinos with this license below.
Finding the best online casino to play your favourite games is not the easiest task, especially with so many options populating the internet every day. So, with that in mind, we took on the heavy burden of sifting through the chaff to offer the best options with an MGA license. Most notably is that all listed casinos are available to players in various European countries.
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) boasts of being one of the pioneer regulatory bodies worldwide. In fact, Malta in itself was one of the first jurisdictions to oversee online gambling. In 2001, the MGA started operations and this was just three years before the country was welcomed into the EU, making it the first EU member to provide oversight in iGaming.
Just as is the case with many other regulatory authorities, the MGA is guided by legislation that requires operators to ensure transparency and fairness for all parties in the industry. But even as it works to keep everyone happy, the body is also tasked with shooting down money laundering, corruption, and other illegal activities often associated with gambling.
Speaking of legislation, the regulator works under directives from the Lotteries and Other Games Act that came into force in 2001. This is in addition to the Malta Constitution. But that’s not all because there’s another notable act known as the Gaming Act of 2018, which was introduced to further expand the oversight role of the Malta Gaming Authority by keeping a close eye on innovation in the iGaming industry.
To ensure a smooth licensing process, MGA offers three types of licenses:
This type of casino license is only available to businesses that offer their services directly to the consumer, who is the player. But even under this license, you must categorize the type of license from the four that are available:
Instead of dealing with players directly, B2B is all about business-to-business dealings. So game providers or companies that offer core game elements, control systems, or software fall here.
Essentially, the MGA is more than just paperwork working as a legal shield for operators. Instead, its role extends further to ensure fair play by mandating independent audits of games and requiring licensees to continuously monitor behaviors that could signal addiction or abuse.
You would expect that a license such as MGA, which commands such a massive market base, has several aspects that make it stand out.
Player protection is a non-negotiable term to the MGA, and even though it’s not as tough as the UKGC, players can still look forward to a secure environment when playing their favourite casino games.
For example, through its proactive initiative, the regulator supported about 1,625 people to seek help in the first half of 2024. It further audited hundreds of RG websites and performed nearly 5,000 inspections, which goes to show just how deeply engaged MGA is.
There’s no cutting corners when it comes to compliance when dealing with the Malta Gaming Authority. In fact, operators wishing to acquire a license must meet the capital thresholds of between €40,000 and €240,000, depending on license type. Actually, several operators have ended up on the wrong side of the regulator for failure to comply with the required terms. For example, in 2023, the authority revoked BetDino’s license after it failed to pay the required gambling license fee.
All MGA license holders must display the regulator’s seal of approval on their websites. Usually, what you’ll see is the logo at the footer of the website, so you really can’t miss it. And the logo is a hyperlink that redirects you to another page where you can check the validity of the license.
The kind of information you’ll typically find here is the address, license status, type of license, email address, contact number, the license holder, and the website URLs under that particular license.
The MGA is not the strictest regulator in the business, and that means no blanket bans exist when it comes to bonuses and promotions. And while that may be the case, the MGA moderates promotional excesses by penalizing misleading or vague messaging.
Actually, according to the regulator’s website, a whopping €172,900 was the total amount collected as fines/penalties in 2023 alone.
Another non-negotiable in MGA’s rulebook is AML compliance. Licensees must complete criminal probity checks, which even include formally rejecting ineligible applicants. Also required of these operators is maintaining transaction monitoring and reporting suspicious activity. Those found to be in contravention suffer fines, with nearly €185,000 reported as AML/CFT fines.
As evidence of how actively involved the MGA is in using technology to provide a safe gambling environment, the regulator introduced the MGA DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) Sandbox. Introduced in 2019, this testing environment allows licensed operators to experiment with technology without facing the full weight of traditional compliance restrictions.
But even while in this sandbox, the MGA still requires businesses to operate within the required safeguards. In the end, it’s about making sure innovation doesn’t come at the expense of security or transparency.
Taxes, a major hindrance for many businesses worldwide, yet Malta seems to have handled this aspect all too well, making it a gambling hub. Malta only asks for a mere 5% as the tax rate that online gambling businesses must pay.
Another noteworthy aspect is that businesses already registered in other countries can dodge the costly double taxation bullet when setting up in Malta. In fact, the Maltese government boasts treaties on double taxation with many countries worldwide.
If you thought only nimble and innovative startups are the only casino groups using this license, think again. The MGA certainly attracts big players such as those listed below:
But why do these companies choose this authority? For starters, reputation goes a long way in this industry, and operating without one is a recipe for disaster. So, operators not only use the MGA stamp for legal operations but also for credibility. Besides, who wouldn’t want a share of the over 746 million people in the EU and outside?
The Malta Gaming Authority may be one of the top regulators, but there are several cons that shadow the advantages synonymous with the authority.
Pros
Cons
Enough of what the MGA license is about. Players remain the central focus for any authority, and with that in mind, here’s what you can expect when playing at an MGA-licensed casino.
Even the most experienced online gambler may need some help while enjoying their favourite game. And for that, the MGA requires operators to offer easily accessible and responsive support. In most cases, the support team is available around the clock through various channels like email, chat, and some platforms even include phone lines.
Another hallmark in the regulator’s arsenal is transparency in the bonus terms and conditions. Oftentimes players end up duped through misleading information in obscure clauses instead of simply laying out the bonus terms in plain language.
Well, that’s not something you will have to worry about because most of the MGA-licensed casinos provide clear wagering requirements, game restrictions, and expiry dates.
Structured and thorough processes are what you can look forward to in the KYC process, which are actually quite similar to what UKGC-licensed casinos require from operators. Usually, the MGA rules dictate that you must verify your identity, age, address, and even source of funds.
But the verification process will not come into play until you initiate a withdrawal. In other instances, the operator’s attention will be drawn towards your account once you hit €2,000. Of course, this is a speed bump to your gambling, but it’s necessary to prevent fraud and money laundering while also adding a strong layer of security.
One of the biggest problems players face with predatory casinos is indefinitely delaying payouts without a legitimate reason. Others outright disappear into thin air with your hard-earned money.
The MGA takes particular interest in this and requires operators to process withdrawals as quickly as possible, although that will ultimately depend on your preferred withdrawal method. eWallets take up to 24 hours while wire transfer takes longer (up to 5 working days). Failing to meet these standards can result in fines or even suspension of the license in severe cases.
As mentioned earlier, player protection is a key pillar in MGA’s overall regulatory objective. To ensure players don’t plunge into the menacing hole that is gambling addiction, operators must offer their customers a wide array of self-protection tools. That includes betting limits and even restrictions, although the regulator places particular attention on self-exclusion.
Remember, online casinos that choose this license look to reach more jurisdictions. And so language versatility becomes a key pillar in the grand scheme of things. Many operators will have a language selector that allows you to choose a preferred language.
Technically, most of the MGA-licensed casinos rely on modern and mobile-optimized platforms. This is especially since nearly 80% of online gamblers use smartphones as their primary device.
The MGA license may be one of the most sought-after badges in the industry, but how does it compare to other authorities?
| Licensing Authority | Player Safety | Compliance Strictness | License Cost | EU Markets | AML Enforcement |
| MGA | High | Rigorous | Medium-high | Wide EU reach | Very strict |
| UK Gambling Commission | Very high | Very rigorous | High | UK only | Extremely strict |
| Curacao | Low | Minimal | Low | Limited | Weak |
| Gibraltar/Alderney | High | Strong | High | Moderate | Strict |
| Anjouan | Very low | Virtually none | Very low | Not recognized | None |
There’s no denying that the Malta Gaming Authority is one of the top regulatory authorities in the industry. And this is all boosted by Malta’s strategic location and friendly approach to business.
That means operators can look forward to a well-structured legal framework that promises a balance between operational flexibility and compliance requirements. On the other hand, players have peace of mind thanks to the MGA stamp of trust brandished on operators’ web pages.
Speaking of operators, it can be a tough job to find a reliable online casino that ticks all the boxes. And for that, we’ve taken on this task to scour the internet to offer quality sites. Explore our full list of reviewed casinos operating under this license to find your next favorite site.
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