Regulator · Malta

Malta Gaming Authority (MGA): register, licences and requirements

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is Malta's single gaming regulator, overseeing both land-based and remote gaming. It grants B2C Gaming Service Licences, B2B Critical Gaming Supply Licences across Types 1 to 4, and Recognition Notices. In 2025, the MGA received 38 new licence applications, issued 19 licences, conducted 1,266 due diligence checks, and operates the Sandbox Regulatory Framework for virtual financial assets and DLT in gaming.

Last verified 2026-09-24Markdown · Data (CC BY 4.0)
Malta Gaming Authority: regulatorMGA

How to check a firm on the MGA register

The MGA Licensee Register allows users to search licensed gaming operators and recognition notice holders by company name, authorization reference (MGA/B2C/… or MGA/B2B/…), registered URL or domain, or game vertical. An active register entry displays the licensee's corporate legal name, company registration number, registered address, licence status (Active, Surrendered, Suspended, or Cancelled), authorization type (B2C Gaming Service or B2B Critical Gaming Supply), approved game types (Types 1 to 4), and authorized brand URLs.12

At a glance

Official nameMalta Gaming Authority (Awtorità dwar il-Logħob ta' Malta)
JurisdictionMalta
TypeGaming regulator
HeadquartersKalkara1
Founded20012
Websitemga.org.mt3
Public registerOfficial public register4
Licence types in the Atlas3

What MGA supervises

The Malta Gaming Authority is the single regulatory body responsible for the governance and supervision of all land-based and remote gaming activities in and from Malta, ensuring fair and transparent gaming, player protection, prevention of crime, and sustainable industry development.14

  • Remote and land-based B2C gaming services including casino games, fixed-odds betting, pool betting, and controlled skill games under the Gaming Act (Cap. 583)15
  • B2B critical gaming supplies including software development, platform management, and game studio operations15
  • Virtual Financial Assets (VFAs) and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) applications in licensed gaming under the MGA Sandbox Framework5
  • Recognition notice certifications for foreign gaming operators licensed in EU/EEA or equivalent jurisdictions11
  • Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) compliance in the gaming sector in conjunction with the FIAU16

Licences MGA issues

Lesser-known services for applicants

Available

Pre-application meeting / pre-assessment

Prospective applicants and existing licensees can request preliminary preparatory and guidance meetings with the MGA prior to submitting a licence application. The Authority does not charge any fees for meetings held with applicants, licensees, or service providers, and requests can be coordinated via info.mga@mga.org.mt or the Licensee Portal.5

Available

Innovation hub

The MGA actively collaborates with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) and industry stakeholders on emerging technology initiatives, including the publication of the AI Gaming Charter in September 2026 and regular thematic guidance on DLT, smart contracts, and algorithmic game fairness.6

Available · policy

Regulatory sandbox

The MGA operates the Sandbox Regulatory Framework for the acceptance of Virtual Financial Assets (VFAs) and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) assets in gaming operations. Authorised persons apply via the Licensee Portal under 'Operational: Payment Methods' to accept crypto deposits up to €1,000 per player per month, subject to player verification within 30 days and strict safeguarding controls codified under the MGA DLT Policy.5

Application portal: MGA Licensee Portal (LRMS - Licensee Relationship Management System) at https://portal.mga.org.mt/ for submitting new licence applications, dynamic notifications, regulatory returns, and key function certificates.7

Fee schedule: Official statutory fees are established in the Gaming Licence Fees Regulations (S.L. 583.03) and detailed in the MGA Guidance Note on Licence Fees and Taxation.8

Compare with other regulators: pre-application meetings · sandboxes and innovation hubs.

Statistics

  • 38 applications for new gaming licences received and 19 new licences issued in 2025 (MGA 2025 Annual Report, published 7 July 2026)16
  • 10 gaming licence renewal applications received and 8 licence renewals issued in 2025 (MGA 2025 Annual Report, published 7 July 2026)16
  • 1,266 due diligence screening checks carried out on authorised persons, qualifying shareholders, directors, and key persons in 2025 (MGA 2025 Annual Report, published 7 July 2026)16
  • 35 cease and desist letters, 22 warnings, and 30 administrative penalties totalling EUR 162,520 issued in 2025 (MGA 2025 Annual Report, published 7 July 2026)16
  • 1,757 player funds reports received and 14 data extractions conducted to support player funds safeguarding in 2025 (MGA 2025 Annual Report, published 7 July 2026)16

Fees and timelines

LicenceFeeAmount
Gaming Service Licence (B2C Remote Gaming Services)applicationEUR 5,0009
Gaming Service Licence (B2C Remote Gaming Services)annualEUR 25,000 (EUR 10,000 if solely Type 4 controlled skill games) + tiered compliance contribution (and 5% gaming tax on Maltese player revenue)9
Critical Gaming Supply Licence (B2B Game Providers and Back Office)applicationEUR 5,00010
Critical Gaming Supply Licence (B2B Game Providers and Back Office)annualEUR 25,000 (annual revenue <= EUR 5,000,000), EUR 30,000 (EUR 5,000,000 to EUR 10,000,000), or EUR 35,000 (> EUR 10,000,000); EUR 10,000 for solely Type 410
Recognition Notice CertificateapplicationEUR 5,00011
Recognition Notice CertificateannualEUR 5,00011

Changing the owner of a licensed firm

Notification only. Under Directive 3 of 2018 art. 37(2)(a) and MGA Guidance Note 'Changes in Direct or Indirect Shareholding' (Sept 2023), any acquisition or increase in a qualifying shareholding (10% or more of equity, voting rights, or control) must be notified to the MGA within 3 working days of the transaction, followed by a complete 'Corporate - Change in Approved Company Structure' filing via LRMS within 30 days accompanied by a EUR 1,500 fee. All new qualifying shareholders and UBOs undergo fit-and-proper scrutiny and source-of-funds verification. The MGA holds statutory authority under art. 37(2)(a) to order the licensee to revert to the status quo ante if fitness and propriety are prejudiced. Transfers of licences between distinct legal entities are prohibited except within the same corporate group with prior written approval under S.L. 583.05 reg. 17.17

Buying a company that already holds one of these licences is often faster than applying. See ready-made licensed companies · gaming betting.

Laws MGA applies

Recent and upcoming changes

  • 2026-09-18: MGA launched the AI Gaming Charter in partnership with the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) to establish governance principles for AI integration in gaming systems.6
  • 2026-09-11: MGA formally recognized the use of Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) complying with EU eIDAS Regulation Article 3(12) across all regulatory submissions and declarations.18
  • 2026-07-07: MGA published its 2025 Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements, reviewing sector performance and supervisory enforcement actions.16
  • 2025-01-01: Ongoing rollout of the voluntary ESG Code of Good Practice for remote gaming licensees, recognizing social responsibility and environmental reporting.19
  • 2023-06-16: Enactment of Article 56A of the Gaming Act (Bill 55 / Act XXI of 2023) protecting Maltese gaming licensees against foreign civil liability judgments where operations comply with Maltese law.14

Contacts and public register

Address: Building SCM 02-03, Level 4, SmartCity Malta, Ricasoli SCM1001, Malta1
Website: mga.org.mt3

Check whether a firm is licensed: official register4 · official register12 · official register13.

Frequently asked questions

What types of gaming licences does the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) issue?

The MGA issues two primary classes of authorisations: B2C Gaming Service Licences for operators offering gaming directly to players, and B2B Critical Gaming Supply Licences for software providers and platform operators. Both licence classes are divided into four game types: Type 1 (casino and games of chance), Type 2 (fixed-odds betting), Type 3 (peer-to-peer and pool betting), and Type 4 (controlled skill games).

How does the MGA regulate the use of cryptoassets and DLT in gaming?

The MGA established a Sandbox Regulatory Framework enabling authorized gaming operators to accept Virtual Financial Assets (VFAs) and integrate Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT). Licensees must apply through the Licensee Portal under 'Operational: Payment Methods', limit player crypto deposits to the equivalent of €1,000 per month, enforce player verification within 30 days, and maintain segregated player fund reserves.

What are the rules and procedures for a change of control of an MGA licensee?

MGA licences are not assignable between separate companies. Transferring ownership requires acquiring shares in the licensee entity. Under Directive 3 of 2018, acquisitions or changes in qualifying shareholdings (10% or more) must be notified within 3 working days, followed by a complete application pack within 30 days with a €1,500 fee. The MGA may order reversion to the status quo ante if fitness and propriety standards are compromised.

What are the application and annual supervisory fees for an MGA gaming licence?

Both B2C and B2B licence applications incur a one-time non-refundable fee of €5,000. B2C operators pay a fixed annual licence fee of €25,000 (€10,000 for Type 4 only) plus tiered compliance contributions on gross revenue and a 5% tax on Maltese player revenue. B2B annual fees range from €25,000 to €35,000 based on revenue.

What is a Recognition Notice issued by the Malta Gaming Authority?

A Recognition Notice is an authorization certificate issued by the MGA recognizing an operator licensed by another EU/EEA member state or equivalent jurisdiction. It permits the holder to provide gaming services or critical supplies in or from Malta without obtaining a full domestic licence. Recognition Notices require an application fee of €5,000 and an annual maintenance fee of €5,000.

Last verified 2026-09-24Author Danil Marmysh, Founder & CEO, ProtegraReviewed by Anastasia Sidorenkova, Head of Licensing, ProtegraReport an errorReference information, not legal advice.

Sources

  1. mga.org.mt: contact us · retrieved 2026-09-24
  2. en.wikipedia.org: Malta Gaming Authority · secondary · retrieved 2026-09-24
  3. mga.org.mt · retrieved 2026-09-24
  4. mgalicenseeregister.mga.org.mt · retrieved 2026-09-24
  5. mga.org.mt: faqs · retrieved 2026-09-24
  6. mga.org.mt: mga launches ai gaming charter following extensive industry · retrieved 2026-09-24
  7. portal.mga.org.mt · retrieved 2026-09-24
  8. legislation.mt: 583.3 · retrieved 2026-09-24
  9. mga.org.mt: remote gaming services · retrieved 2026-09-24
  10. mga.org.mt: game providers and back office · retrieved 2026-09-24
  11. mga.org.mt: recognition notices · retrieved 2026-09-24
  12. mga.org.mt: licensee register · retrieved 2026-09-24
  13. mga.org.mt: recognition notice register · retrieved 2026-09-24
  14. legislation.mt: 583 · retrieved 2026-09-24
  15. legislation.mt: 583.5 · retrieved 2026-09-24
  16. mga.org.mt: the mga publishes its 2025 annual report and financial state · retrieved 2026-09-24
  17. mga.org.mt: 3 day notification requirements · retrieved 2026-09-24
  18. mga.org.mt: mga recognises the use of qualified electronic signatures in · retrieved 2026-09-24
  19. mga.org.mt: esg · retrieved 2026-09-24

Applying to MGA, or buying a firm it licenses?

Tell us your business model and target markets. We check the fit before you spend on an application, then handle the licence end to end.

A free preliminary assessment: we check your business model against the licence before you spend on an application. We handle this licence and any other fintech licence, including jurisdictions the Atlas does not cover yet.