How to Get a Malta Gaming License

Securing a Malta gaming license has become the gold standard for serious iGaming operators who want credibility, EU market access, and a framework that players trust. Since the overhaul of Malta’s Gaming Act in 2018, the Malta Gaming Authority license requirements have set one of the most comprehensive regulatory benchmarks worldwide.

A gaming license Malta instantly signals legitimacy to payment processors, banks, and affiliates. It allows operators to display their licence on the Malta gaming license register, assuring players that their funds and data are protected under strict EU compliance laws.

But while the island’s regulatory ecosystem is attractive, the reality is that obtaining a Malta online gaming license is not a quick box-ticking exercise. It’s a multi-layered compliance journey—scrutinising company structure, funding sources, responsible gaming systems, anti-money-laundering (AML) processes, and technical platform resilience.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Malta gaming license cost, timelines, common pitfalls, and how to get your application approved on the first attempt.

Why Choose Malta for Your Gaming Operation?

Malta isn’t just another EU jurisdiction; it’s the benchmark for regulated iGaming. Securing a Malta gaming license signals to players, banks, and affiliates that your platform is operating under one of the most transparent and trusted frameworks in the industry.

A Stable, Mature Regulatory Regime

Since the landmark Gaming Act of 2018, the island has modernised its approach to licensing with a single, tech-friendly legal framework that covers both B2C operators and B2B suppliers. The Malta Gaming Authority license requirements are recognised worldwide for balancing strict player-protection standards with innovation-friendly rules, making the gaming license Malta a passport to credibility across the EU and beyond.

Economic Weight & Proven Resilience

Gaming is a cornerstone of Malta’s economy. In 2024, the iGaming sector contributed roughly 6.7% of Malta’s Gross Value Added (GVA), supported by 315 registered companies holding 323 active licences. These figures that are documented on the official Malta gaming license register, show not only the depth of the sector but also the island’s long-standing commitment to the industry’s stability.

Transparent Fees & Predictable Oversight

Unlike some jurisdictions where fees and taxes can feel opaque, Malta has a clear fee grid. Applicants can easily estimate their Malta gaming license cost upfront:

• a fixed €5,000 application fee,
• predictable annual licence fees for B2C or B2B operators,
• a tiered Compliance Contribution on gaming revenue, and
• a 5% gaming tax for B2C operations.

This transparent structure allows operators to forecast cash flow confidently—whether they’re pursuing a traditional sports-betting operation or a new-age Malta online gaming license for digital casino games or skill-based products.

A Global Hub for Reputable Operators

Being listed on the Malta gaming license register immediately elevates an operator’s credibility. Payment processors, card schemes, and affiliate partners tend to prefer MGA-licensed brands, knowing they have passed some of the world’s most rigorous compliance, AML, and responsible-gaming checks.

4 Types of Gaming Licences In Malta (B2C)

When you apply for a B2C Malta gaming license, you don’t get separate permits for each activity. Instead, you receive one core gaming license Malta that can be “tagged” with one or more Types depending on the products you offer. 

These Types determine your compliance-contribution rates, system-audit scope, and technical certifications required under the Malta Gaming Authority license requirements.

Choosing the right Type(s) is critical — it affects your Malta gaming license cost, reporting obligations, and even how your platform will be displayed on the official Malta gaming license register.

Type 1 – Games of Chance Against the House

A Type 1 Malta online gaming license covers casino-style games where players bet against the operator rather than other players.

Typical products:

• RNG-driven slot games
• RNG table games (roulette, blackjack, baccarat)
• Online lotteries and instant-win scratch cards
• Virtual wheel games and digital keno

Key compliance notes:

• Requires RNG certification from an MGA-approved testing lab.
• Strict player-fund segregation rules apply because players stake money directly against the house.
• Subject to Compliance Contribution rates starting at 1.25% of gaming revenue with a minimum annual contribution of €15,000.

A strong internal responsible-gaming framework is mandatory to address loss-limit tools, self-exclusion, and risk-based player monitoring.

Type 2 – Fixed-Odds Wagering Against the House

The Type 2 gaming license Malta applies to fixed-odds betting activities where players bet against the operator’s book or price.

Typical products:

• Sportsbook for pre-match and live betting
• Esports fixed-odds betting
• Spread betting on events or markets
• Virtual sports (football, greyhounds, horse racing simulations)

Key compliance notes:

• Operators must maintain a risk-management framework to manage exposure and settle bets transparently.
• Suspicious-betting detection and reporting to the MGA is mandatory, with real-time flagging and reporting pipelines.
• Compliance Contribution bands start at 4% of gaming revenue with an annual minimum of €25,000.

A Type 2 Malta online gaming license is especially scrutinised for AML and integrity reporting, given its link to sporting events and the potential for match-fixing risks.

Type 3 – Peer-to-Peer or Commission-Based Gaming

A Type 3 Malta gaming license is for games where the operator does not act as the house, but earns a commission or rake from player-to-player activity.

Typical products:

• Online poker networks and tournaments
• Betting exchanges where players bet against each other
• Multiplayer fantasy-sports competitions where entry fees form a shared pot
• Peer-to-peer bingo or social games involving cash pools

Key compliance notes:

• Since the operator earns a fee (rake/commission) rather than direct wagers, the compliance-contribution model differs but still starts at 4% of gaming revenue with a €25,000 minimum annual fee.
• Operators must enforce robust anti-collusion and fair-play policies.
• Secure player-wallets and reconciled ledgers are mandatory to ensure prize pools are protected — a key part of the Malta Gaming Authority license requirements.

Type 4 – Controlled Skill Games

The Type 4 Malta online gaming license targets games of skill that still require oversight because of their prize or wagering element.

Typical products:

• Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) platforms
• Esports tournaments with entry fees and prize money
• Certain skill-based competitions with real-money stakes

Key compliance notes:

• Lower base annual licence fee: €10,000 compared to €25,000 for Types 1-3, which directly reduces your Malta gaming license cost.
• Compliance contribution is capped between €5,000 and €500,000 annually, depending on revenue bands.
• MGA focuses on fair-play algorithms, dispute-resolution processes, and player-fund safeguarding.

B2C Malta Gaming License Costs by Type

Essential Notes

• Application Fee: one-off € 5,000 for any new gaming license Malta filing.
• Annual Licence: € 25k for Types 1-3; € 10k applies only if the B2C licence is solely Type 4.
• Compliance Contribution: calculated monthly on qualifying gaming revenue; rates decrease in higher bands.
• Gaming Tax: fixed 5 % on B2C gaming-service revenue, payable to the Commissioner for Revenue — separate from the compliance contribution.
• Staying current with all fees is mandatory to remain active and keep your Malta gaming license in good standing.

Step-by-Step: How to Get a Malta Gaming License

1. Company & Shareholding Setup

Before you can even submit a gaming license Malta application, you must establish a Malta-registered entity.

• UBO Disclosure: All shareholders with ≥ 10 % Ultimate Beneficial Ownership must be declared in the application. The MGA checks every ownership layer until the natural person behind the shareholding is revealed.
• Corporate Documentation: You’ll need the company’s Memorandum & Articles of Association, share certificates, director resolutions, and proof of paid-up capital.
• Funding Sources: Applicants must show legitimate, traceable capital for start-up costs and liquidity. Expect bank reference letters or proof of funds. A clean corporate structure shortens approval time; complex offshore layers or opaque shareholders can trigger further enquiries.

Binderr Assist: We handle company incorporation, open MGA-friendly multi-currency bank accounts, and pre-check all ownership layers to avoid re-submissions.

2. Fit-and-Proper (F & P) Checks

The MGA performs F & P assessments on every “relevant person”: all UBOs, directors, and each nominated Key-Function holder. No licence is issued unless each relevant person passes these F & P tests.

• Probity: Requires police conduct certificates (issued in last 3 months) from every jurisdiction of residence in the past five years.
• Financial Standing: Personal bank reference letters, tax-compliance certificates, and evidence of no insolvency or bankruptcy.
• Source of Wealth / Funds: Documents that show where the investment capital originated—e.g., audited accounts, sale-of-shares agreements, or employment income records.
• Competence: Detailed CVs, industry references, sometimes a short MGA interview to prove professional suitability.

Binderr Assist: We gather all KYC/KYB packs in one secure folder, flag gaps early, and liaise with each applicant to speed up approvals.

3. Business Plan & Financial Forecasts

Applicants must submit a market-driven business plan covering:

• Product verticals (casino, sportsbook, poker, fantasy, etc.)
• Target geographies and marketing channels
• GGR forecast, compliance-contribution modelling, cash-flow plan
• Risk-management and Responsible-Gaming (RG) strategy

Binderr Assist: Our analysts help draft investor-grade business plans and run fee simulations so you know your full Malta gaming license cost under different revenue scenarios.

4. Policies & Procedures Pack

The MGA expects a full governance and compliance manual tailored to your product mix. Core sections include:

• AML / CFT: must follow FIAU Part I and Part II for Remote Gaming, describing risk-based KYC/KYB onboarding, sanctions / PEP screening, Enhanced Due Diligence, on-going monitoring, Suspicious Transaction Reports (STR) workflow, and record-retention.
• Responsible Gaming: detailed escalation steps, automated limit-setting, customer-support interventions, and self-exclusion protocol.
• Sports-Integrity (when Type 2): internal triggers, suspicious-betting reporting channels, cooperation with integrity bodies.
• Player-Fund Segregation & Withdrawals: method of keeping customer balances separate from operational accounts; daily reconciliation processes.
• Data-Protection & Info-Security: GDPR-compliant privacy policy, access-control matrix, breach-notification flow, incident-response playbook.

Binderr Assist: We supply policy templates, adapt them to your product mix, and have our compliance partners review them to satisfy the Malta Gaming Authority license requirements.

5. Technical Architecture & Certifications

The Malta Gaming Authority license requirements call for a full technical dossier:

• System Diagram: front-end, game servers, wallets, payment gateways, logging, back-up & recovery, geoblocking, and content-delivery nodes.
• RNG Certificates: issued by an MGA-approved testing lab for every RNG-driven game.
• Wallet / Ledger Design: must allow immutable audit trails, full player-by-player balance history, and multi-currency support.
• Control-System Logging: captures all bets, wins, voids, adjustments, time-stamped for regulatory audit.
• Risk & Fraud Layers: velocity checks, device-fingerprinting, AML transaction flags. Incomplete tech details are one of the most common causes of delays in the Malta online gaming license review.

Binderr Assist: We coordinate RNG testing labs, payment-gateway integration, and produce the diagrams and narratives auditors expect.

6. Key-Function Nominations

You must appoint certified Key Persons before your gaming license Malta is issued. Typical B2C roles include:

• Chief Executive / Operations
• Compliance Manager
• MLRO (Anti-Money-Laundering Reporting Officer)
• Data-Protection Officer (DPO)
• Internal Audit

Each nominee files a personal application, undergoes the same F & P screening, and cannot hold conflicting roles (e.g., MLRO ≠ CEO/DPO). The MGA will not activate your Malta gaming license until all Key-Function approvals are in place.

Binderr Assist: We can source interim Key-Function officers (e.g., MLRO, Compliance, DPO) from our vetted compliance partner like BetComply to keep the project moving while you hire in-house.

7. System Audit (Pre-Go-Live)

Once paperwork and Key Persons are cleared, an independent MGA-approved auditor examines your staging environment. A pass certificate is required before you can move to live operation. The audit includes 

• verifies RNG results and game-payout configuration
• checks player-fund segregation and reconciliation reports
• reviews control-system logs, reporting feeds, change-management trails

8. Compliance Review (Post-Go-Live)

After launch, the MGA performs a follow-up compliance review to confirm that operations, reporting, player-fund safeguards, AML controls, and RG tools function exactly as described in your application.

Binderr Assist: We stay on board for renewals, periodic reporting, change-management notices, and new-Type applications, so your Malta online gaming license stays active on the Malta gaming license register without disruption.

High-Risk Banking & Payments for iGaming Operators

Banking is often the hardest part of launching an iGaming business under a Malta gaming license. Traditional banks treat iGaming as high-risk because of chargebacks, fraud exposure, cross-border player flows, and heavy AML/CFT obligations.

Common hurdles include:

• Long Approval Times: banks run enhanced due-diligence on gaming clients; approvals can take 4–12+ weeks.
• High Minimum Balances & Fees: many institutions require large deposits and apply higher FX and transaction fees.
• Merchant-Account Friction: high-risk merchant accounts and high risk payment gateways often demand extra documentation, reserve funds, or rolling deposits.
• PSP Acceptance Issues: not all PSPs process gaming or cross-border card payments; crypto-friendly PSPs require extra vetting.
• Regulatory Alignment: banks and PSPs insist on segregated player-fund accounts, live AML monitoring, and proof of ongoing compliance.
• Multiple Jurisdictions: accepting players from different countries requires multi-currency accounts, local payment rails, and region-specific fraud controls.

Without the right partners and preparation, many new operators face repeated banking rejections or crippling delays even after securing their Malta online gaming license.

Malta Gaming License Timelines (Most Realistic)

• Preparation – 4 to 8 weeks – Gather corporate docs (UBO declarations, proof of funds). – Draft AML, RG, data-protection and sports-integrity policies. – Nominate Key-Function officers and prepare business plan + forecasts.
• MGA Review + RFIs + Fit-and-Proper – 8 to 14 weeks – MGA checks the application, policies, and Key-Function candidates. – Issues RFIs for missing data, verifies source-of-wealth, conducts interviews. – Complex shareholding, multi-jurisdictions or high-risk models can push timelines longer.
• System Audit → Staging Sign-off → Go-Live – 2 to 4 weeks – Independent MGA-approved auditor reviews control-system logs, RNG certification, wallet reconciliations, security and reporting feeds. – Findings resolved → MGA grants final approval to launch.

Total realistic window: about 14 – 26 weeks for most B2C Malta gaming-license projects, depending on readiness and complexity.

Key Functions – The People the MGA Will Scrutinise

Under the Malta gaming license framework, your people are as critical as your platform. A B2C gaming license Malta requires eight Key Functions. The titles may differ from company to company, but the functions themselves are fixed.

Required Key Functions for B2C Operators

• Chief Executive / CEO – overall accountable officer for strategy and compliance.
• Day-to-Day Operations Manager – ensures smooth delivery of gaming services.
• Compliance Manager – oversees responsible gaming, player-support quality, marketing compliance, sports-integrity reporting.
• Legal Affairs Officer – handles contracts, player-T&Cs, dispute-resolution policies.
• ML/TF Prevention Officer (MLRO) – leads AML/CFT programme and reports to FIAU.
• Data-Protection & Privacy Officer (DPO) – ensures GDPR compliance, privacy notices, breach-response plans.
• Technology & Information-Security Lead – responsible for platform uptime, logging, security protocols, DR/BCP.
• Internal-Audit Function – independently reviews compliance, player-fund safeguarding, reporting accuracy.

Conflict-of-Interest Rules: The MLRO can’t double as CEO, DPO, or Internal-Audit officer. Growth-focused roles (e.g., marketing) cannot hold compliance-critical functions.

Certification & Fit-and-Proper (F&P) Clearance

Every Key-Function nominee must:

• Apply for an MGA Key-Function Certificate.
• Undergo F&P checks — probity, competence, and financial-standing review.
• Commit to ongoing CPD (continuing professional development).
• The MGA can refuse or condition approvals if a nominee lacks experience, training, or independence.

Technical & Reporting Duties

Before the Malta online gaming license goes live, your operations team must have these systems in place:

• Control System: immutable logs, full transaction traceability for bets, wins, voids, adjustments; time-sync across servers; complete audit trails.
• Game / RNG Certification: all RNG-based games must be certified by an MGA-approved lab; scope depends on licence Type(s).
• Player-Fund Protection: segregated player accounts with daily reconciliations; the MGA can request real-time visibility at any time.
• Suspicious-Betting Alerts (Type 2): sportsbooks must have internal triggers and immediate reporting pipelines to the MGA’s integrity desk.
• Regulatory Reporting: periodic returns, incident reports, change-management notifications; filings must follow MGA’s structured portal templates.

AML Compliance Setup (under FIAU & MGA)

A strong AML/CFT framework is non-negotiable for securing and keeping a Malta gaming license. The MGA and the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) expect you to prove that your programme is risk-based, well-documented, and operational on day one.

Risk-Based Approach

• Develop a Business Risk Assessment (BRA) identifying threats by product, market, customer type, and delivery channel.
• Build a Customer Risk Assessment (CRA) model that applies Simplified Due Diligence (SDD) or Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) as appropriate.
• Keep both assessments updated whenever your markets, payment flows, or product Types change.

Onboarding Controls

• Implement full User Verification (KYC) and Business Verification (KYB) checks at registration and first deposit.
• Screen all players and business partners against sanctions, watchlists, and PEP databases.
• Capture Source-of-Wealth (SoW) and Source-of-Funds (SoF) for higher-risk tiers.
• Assess risk tied to payment methods (e.g., prepaid cards, crypto, third-party wallets).

Ongoing Monitoring

• Deploy behavioural and transaction-monitoring tools to spot unusual patterns early.
• Add velocity checks, bonus-abuse flags, and alerts for rapid bet-and-withdrawal cycles.
• Ensure triggers feed into an escalation process owned by the MLRO.

STRs & Record-Keeping

• File Suspicious Transaction / Activity Reports (STRs / SARs) promptly with FIAU.
• Retain KYC and transactional records for at least 5 years as required.
• Conduct staff AML training and independent testing of the programme annually.

Responsible Gaming, Marketing & Post-Go-Live Compliance

Responsible-Gaming & Player-Interaction

The MGA expects robust responsible-gaming (RG) controls to protect players and reduce harm:

• Deposit & Loss Limits: configurable daily, weekly, monthly limits per player.
• Time-Outs & Cool-Offs: temporary suspensions players can activate at any time.
• Self-Exclusion Tools: permanent or temporary exclusions, logged and enforced across all products.
• Affordability & Risk Flags: identify high-risk behaviour (e.g., escalating spend, chasing losses) and escalate to support teams.
• Escalation Playbooks: documented intervention steps that customer-support teams must follow for at-risk players.

Marketing Compliance

Advertising and promotions fall under MGA marketing standards and the Compliance Key-Function’s oversight:

• No misleading or exaggerated claims in offers or bonuses.
• Strict age-gating to block under-18 audiences.
• Opt-in consent trails for marketing communication with GDPR-compliant data use.
• Retention & bonus-offer caps to avoid exploitative targeting of vulnerable players.

Ongoing Compliance After Go-Live

Compliance does not end at launch — the MGA requires ongoing monitoring continuous oversight:

• System Audit & Compliance Review: an initial post-launch review followed by scheduled periodic audits.
• Key-Function Continuity: any departure or change of MLRO, DPO, or other key roles must be notified immediately to the MGA and replaced without delay.
• Regulatory Change-Management: material changes (platform migrations, adding PSPs, expanding into new markets, or switching game suppliers) require prior MGA notification or approval under Directive 3 (2018).
• Consistent Record-Keeping: maintain all RG, AML, and marketing compliance logs for at least five years to satisfy audit requests.

Key Challenges in Securing a Malta Gaming License

• Complex Documentation: Incomplete UBO disclosures, inconsistent corporate documents, or unclear source-of-funds often trigger MGA RFIs and delay approvals.
• Stringent Fit-and-Proper Checks: Every UBO, director, and Key-Function officer must pass background, probity, and financial-standing reviews — even a minor red flag can stall the application.
• Technical Readiness Gaps: Missing RNG certificates, weak control-system logs, or lack of player-fund segregation lead to audit failures.
• AML & Compliance Burden: Meeting FIAU Part I & II AML rules — from BRA/CRA models to STR workflows — is resource-heavy and requires experienced MLROs.
• Key-Function Shortages: Sourcing competent, conflict-free MLROs, DPOs, and Internal-Audit staff who meet MGA standards can be challenging, especially for new entrants.
• Multi-Jurisdiction Complexity: Non-resident shareholders, high-risk markets, or cross-border PSPs often prolong due-diligence and add extra reporting layers.
• Hidden & Ongoing Costs: Beyond the headline Malta gaming license cost, operators face recurring compliance contributions, 5 % gaming tax, ongoing audits, and system-upgrade expenses.
• Change-Management Hurdles: Any post-licence changes — new PSPs, markets, or Key-Function replacements — require MGA approvals and can disrupt operations if mishandled.

Bottom Line

Securing a Malta gaming license is one of the toughest yet most valuable milestones for any iGaming operator. Success hinges on airtight compliance, experienced Key-Function officers, and flawless technical documentation — all while managing banks, PSPs, and auditors.

Rather than juggle dozens of vendors and risk delays, you can hand the entire process to Binderr. We coordinate every moving part so you get licensed faster, stay fully compliant, and focus on launching your games — not on paperwork.

Malta Gaming License FAQs