Malta Gaming Authority and the best MGA casinos

Malta Gaming Authority's mission and scale

Formed in 2001, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is one of the world's most influential and respected remote gaming regulators. Its core purpose is to provide licenses for the legal operation of both land-based and online casinos and sportsbooks based in Malta.

The MGA's regulatory framework is internationally recognized, making Malta a leading iGaming hub. The sector is a vital part of the nation's economy, contributing an estimated €1.39 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2024, which is equivalent to 6.7% of Malta’s entire economy.

Upholding fairness, safety, and integrity

The MGA's mantra is built on providing fairness and transparency to all players. They aggressively safeguard the integrity of the industry by ensuring each licensed business is free from crime, money laundering, and corruption. The MGA’s compliance and enforcement figures illustrate this commitment:

• Rigorous enforcement: In 2024 alone, the MGA issued 25 administrative penalties amounting to over €306,000 and took firm action by suspending two licenses and cancelling eight others.

• AML/CFT oversight: A priority is Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CFT) compliance. The Authority initiated 43 new AML/CFT compliance examinations in 2024 to ensure operators meet their legal obligations.

• Player support: The regulator actively protects players' interests, resolving 3,372 requests for assistance from players throughout 2024.

Protecting vulnerable players

A key tenet of the MGA's mission is the protection of vulnerable players. This requires every MGA-licensed casino to implement strict measures to prevent minors from accessing their services. Crucially, operators must also actively help those who may be at risk of problem gambling.

How does the MGA work?

To operate under the Maltese banner, casinos must successfully apply for an MGA license, a process with a high bar for entry.

While a license is straightforward for land-based operations, its value is significantly higher for online casinos. This is due to its global recognition, which allows operators to accept players from a vast number of jurisdictions worldwide.

A gatekeeper for quality

The MGA maintains a stringent gatekeeping process, which ensures only suitable operators enter the market. The statistics from the 2024 report illustrate this selectivity:

• New licenses: Out of the 28 applications received for new gaming licenses, the MGA was highly selective, ultimately issuing 17 new licenses in 2024.

• Suitability checks: The Fit and Proper Committee (which vets key individuals and entities) made 64 decisions in 2024, leading to 16 rejections where applicants failed to meet the Authority's rigorous integrity and suitability criteria.

Protecting the players' funds

The safety of deposited funds is paramount for any online casino player, and the MGA has built a rigorous framework to guarantee this security. Maltese law mandates the segregation of player funds from the operator's operational funds. This means that player deposits must be held in a separate bank account or other secure financial instrument, ensuring they cannot be used to cover the operator's business expenses or debts.

Rigorous compliance and Anti-Money Laundering (AML)

Malta's regulatory frameworks for finance are intense, focusing on transparent operations and rapid withdrawals. Licensees must comply with rules against charging unfair withdrawal fees and unreasonably delaying the payment of player winnings.

A significant part of this framework is the fight against financial crime. The MGA acts as an agent of the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) for AML/CFT supervision.

These actions demonstrate a powerful commitment to ensuring the entire ecosystem is free from illicit financial activity.

How to apply for an MGA gambling licence

The MGA license is a globally respected credential, and the application process is rigorous, ensuring only reputable entities are approved. The license application has been streamlined into a single submission, but it is assessed through multiple internal stages, leading to a long-term 10-year license.

1. Application submission and initial fee: The process begins on the MGA's Licensee Portal. Applicants submit all required documentation (including corporate structure, business plan, and compliance policies) at once. This initial step requires a one-time, non-refundable Application Fee of €5,000.

2. Assessment: Once submitted, the MGA's team assesses the application across four critical areas, which typically take 12-16 weeks to complete (provided the documentation is flawless):

   1. Fit & proper test: A thorough background check on all shareholders, ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs), and key function holders (e.g., CEO, MLRO) to verify their integrity and competence.

   2. Business & financial viability: Assessment of the detailed 3-year business plan, financial projections, and the operator’s ability to meet minimum Issued and Paid-up Share Capital requirements. For B2C Type 1 & 2 licenses (e.g., slots/fixed-odds betting), the minimum is €100,000; for Type 3 & 4 (e.g., poker/skill games), the minimum is €40,000.

   3. Operational & statutory requirements: Review of legal policies, terms and conditions, and player protection protocols to ensure compliance with Maltese law.

3. Systems review: If the desk-based assessment is successful, the applicant is granted an in-principle approval and given 60 days to implement the gaming system in a trial environment. An MGA-approved independent auditor performs a System Audit to ensure the technical setup (including game server, player registration, and security) matches the business plan.

4. Post-licensing compliance: The license is issued for a 10-year period. However, the operator is required to undergo a full Compliance Audit by an independent auditor within 90 days of launching live operations to verify ongoing adherence to all regulations.

Complaints procedure via the MGA

While the MGA's stringent licensing process reduces issues, the Authority acknowledges that occasional disputes arise. The MGA’s Player Support Unit is the official channel for customers who feel a licenced operator has acted unfairly. It's important to note that the MGA strongly recommends attempting to resolve the issue directly with the operator first, as per the established Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework.

Player assistance

The official channel for lodging a complaint is the convenient online form found on the MGA's Player Hub. This system allows the Authority to efficiently categorise and manage a high volume of requests:

• Total assistance requests: In 2024, the MGA's Player Support Unit resolved a total of 3,372 requests for assistance from players.

• Nature of disputes: Common reasons for complaints include issues related to delays in withdrawals, account verification problems (KYC), and bonus or promotional disputes.

The MGA's process involves reviewing the case, engaging with the licensee, and reaching out to the player if further information is required, demonstrating a direct commitment to resolving consumer issues.

A two-tiered system

Since 2019, the MGA mandates that its B2C licensees must use an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) entity for player disputes. This system separates general player complaints (handled by the MGA) from formal financial disputes (handled by a certified third-party ADR). If the player is dissatisfied with the ADR outcome, or if the case involves a severe breach of MGA regulations (such as fraud or non-payment of funds), the Authority can step in with its full enforcement power. This two-tiered approach ensures both quick resolution for minor issues and regulatory muscle for serious breaches.

How to find safe MGA online casinos

The MGA license sets the minimum bar for safety and integrity, but players should still conduct due diligence to find the best operators. Your 'homework' should focus on verifying the MGA's compliance pillars:

• Fairness

• Transparency

• Liquidity

License verification

Always confirm the MGA license status directly. Go to the official MGA Licensee Register and search for the operator's name or license number. This step ensures the license displayed on the casino's footer is genuine and currently valid.

Compliance beyond the minimum standard

The MGA's Player Protection Directive sets strict standards for fairness and transparency, meaning the laws are actually quite strict. The best operators go above and beyond these requirements. Specifically, look for evidence of the following regulatory compliance:

MGA backed player criteria

• Game fairness: The MGA mandates that all games must use certified Random Number Generators (RNGs), which are independently tested by accredited bodies (like eCOGRA or iTech Labs). A truly fair MGA casino will readily display the Return-to-Player (RTP) percentage for its games and mention its third-party auditors.

• Transparent bonuses and withdrawals: MGA regulations strictly prohibit operators from unduly restricting a player's ability to withdraw their own deposited money (even if a bonus is active). The terms for wagering requirements on the bonus must be clear, legible, and easily accessible (no more than one click away from the promotion). Look for casinos that process withdrawals quickly and detail any withdrawal fees transparently.

• Responsible gambling tool: As a core requirement, MGA-licensed casinos must offer players tools for control, including deposit limits, wager limits, session time reminders (reality checks), and self-exclusion options. The best operators make these tools prominent and easy to set or change.

Find out what users are saying

While MGA regulation covers the legal aspects, real-world player experiences validate the operational quality. Checking reputable independent casino review sites, forums, and complaint services is essential. These sources provide anecdotal evidence on speed of payouts and quality of customer service—two areas where the MGA sets minimum standards but player feedback highlights the true service level.