Online Casinos in Malta

📌 Malta Gaming Authority Licensed Casinos

When talking about the best iGaming regulators, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) takes first place. But what makes the best MGA casinos different from those with other licenses, such as Curacao or Kahnawake? Well, it’s all about standards, rules, and requirements. The MGA won’t give just any operator a license. Applicants undergo extensive checks, which gives players a reason to trust the regulator.

Since there are quite a few operators in Malta, there’s no telling what one might find. That’s why our team regularly surveys the best MGA casinos. On this page, we won’t just list the best sites but also analyze this regulator in depth. If you want to know what makes the MGA a paragon of trustworthiness, continue reading.

📌 Top MGA Casinos in 2024

The very best MGA casinos come in all shapes and sizes. Regardless of what they specialize in, our team puts them to the ultimate test. Every time a new casino is launched, we follow its first steps and see if it’s up to our standards. After some time, it gets a call-up to our top list.

All the sites you see below are safe, licensed, and known for their extensive game libraries. The devil is in the details, as they say. So compare these sites and find the right fit. And don’t worry about whether the information is correct or not – we update our lists daily. Enjoy!

📌 Pros & Cons of Playing at MGA Online Casinos

Pros

• One of the most popular regulators – 100+ licensed operators
• Safe software from verified providers
• Low minimum deposits
• Multiple casino bonuses per site
• A strict policy on handling players’ funds

Cons

• Not available everywhere
• Bigger deposits trigger KYC

📌 What is the Malta Gaming Authority?

The MGA is Malta’s government-sanctioned gambling regulator. It was founded in 2001 and is unique in many ways. Malta was one of the first countries to regulate online gambling and use the term in-laws. By regulating casinos instead of criminalizing them, the MGA found a way to provide a safe gambling environment for all.

They were the first in Europe, which allowed them to gain a foothold that they seem unable to lose. But what’s the real reason behind their longevity? Operators, law enforcement, and players trust them because of their excellent when performing the following duties:

1. Redirecting revenues towards beneficial projects and contributing to the Maltese economy
2. Ensuring all online gambling activity is fair and transparent
3. Preventing problem gamblers and minors from accessing games
4. Auditing and overseeing the affairs of licensees
5. Requiring player funds to be stored safely
6. Providing resources and guidance to players
7. Handling complaints
8. Notifying potential licensees of the rules, requirements, and necessary fees

Even though this seems like a challenging set of duties, the MGA is even more complex than it seems. Its inner workings reveal exactly how this regulator earned its status amongst iGaming royalty. Let’s take a look at the structure and its key points.

📌 How Does the Malta Gaming Authority Work?

To fully appreciate things such as security protocols and compliance, we must first understand how the licensing system works. Malta doesn’t want to make things hard for operators, unlike other countries.

Site owners must first decide which type of license suits their goal the most. There are four distinct classes:

📌 Class 1	This license class focuses on remote gambling and includes standard casino games such as slots, blackjack, and roulette. Licensees can also offer lotteries and skill-based titles.
📌 Class 2	Applies to online bookmakers. It covers everything involving fixed odds, including spread and pool bets.
📌 Class 3	MGA casinos with this class are allowed to host “Player vs Player” games, such as poker and live casino tables. Licensees get a commission for promoting games, too.
📌 Class 4	The holder can’t act as an operator but instead provides software solutions and backend support for the casino. Used by software providers only.

When submitting an application, sites usually get Classes 1, 2, and 3 together for convenience’s sake. There are specialized MGA casinos that only offer slots, but most want to provide players with a versatile lobby. Our experts check the regulator’s database to see the exact information about the license and the operator.

In fact, some even say the MGA is too demanding when it comes to transparency. They forbid operators from employing people with a criminal record and require a full dossier for every employee. So when playing at the top MGA casinos in Malta in 2024, you know you can trust the person on the other side of the screen. But there’s more to it than just background checks…

📌 What the MGA Does to Protect Players

This is perhaps the main reason why everyone trusts casinos with an MGA license. Using its regulatory framework, Malta requires all operators to abide by a number of security-focused rules. They’re all implemented specifically to help you stay safe from hackers, misleading advertising, and problem gambling. Let’s take a look at each way the MGA protects players, as well as casinos, too:

📌 Player Funds Are Separated and Locked Away

If we had to pick one MGA feature as the flagship, this would be it. The organization is committed to reducing the level of risk as much as possible. Thus, all operators must keep player funds and operating funds in separate accounts. In addition, player funds can’t be used for anything other than withdrawals and potential dispute resolutions.

If a site breaks this rule, the MGA revokes its license immediately. We wish more regulators would have such a simple, no-nonsense risk mitigation system. 

📌 Unified Self-Barring Database

Also known as the USBD, this is a system that casinos can join if they wish to do so. When a player feels like taking a break, and they request to be excluded, other sites in the network will follow suit. It’s a great way to ensure players aren’t exposed to risk. The MGA seemingly found a system that balances safety and restrictiveness.

In addition, every licensed casino must provide links to helpful resources and places where players can get help. The system is constantly being updated, with MGA casinos allowed to submit their own suggestions and comments.

📌 Stop-Loss

All MGA sites must offer players the ability to put a cap on losses. You can do this through the Account page through a couple of menus. When a player reaches this amount, they are unable to place bets on real money games anymore.

Also, the stop-loss system can be set for different time periods. The best way is to set a daily cap, especially if you’re playing a new game. To stay as safe as possible, practice with free money blackjack, or roulette before making a bigger deposit.

📌 Random Audits

Operators first have to apply for a one-year license, and that period is always followed by an audit. This is to ensure the site has fulfilled all its promises and that its accounts are the way they’re supposed to be. Afterward, MGA casinos must undergo regular audits to maintain transparency.

However, the regulator doesn’t want operators to relax and ‘tidy things up’ before a scheduled audit. Thus, the MGA has the right to look into how a casino is doing business. They can also revoke a license at any time, both temporarily and permanently.

📌 Time, Deposit, and Wagering Limits

Through years of research, surveys, and various changes, the Malta Gaming Authority noticed there’s a connection between player safety and customization. Plenty of players are conscious about their spending and don’t want to be coaxed into spending more. That’s why everyone can put limits on multiple facets of gameplay.

You can, for instance, put a one our limit, with a £/€/$100 deposit limit per month and a max wager of £/€/$0.5. Depending on the game, you can change these settings and ensure that you’ll always play responsibly, no matter the stakes.

📌 Anti-Money Laundering

As an EU member state, Malta has to follow strict rules and directives when vetting potential MGA licensees. The regulator is also a member of the MONEYVAL group, which works to improve financial transparency and curb the influx of black market funds into the legal economy.

This is one of those measures which aren’t apparent on the surface. However, this type of attitude has an immensely positive impact on Malta. Since potential operators are sure they’ll be protected, they’re more likely to apply for an MGA license. In turn, this raises the standard of MGA casinos for the average player.

📌 Easy Reporting System

The MGA wants players to feel empowered. For this reason, it’s easy to report an issue. The report form takes just a few minutes to fill out. It takes just the basic information, and everything is entirely anonymous. A person will analyze your complaint and take appropriate action against the casino.

Other regulators are hard to reach and rarely respond to messages. Time and time again, MGA casinos have proven to be vulnerable in front of the regulator. Such a smooth and straightforward system instills trust in all players.

📌 How to Apply for an MGA License

Before an operator launches its MGA casino, it must first go through the full application process. Industry experts agree that it’s one of the most rigorous systems, despite being overall straightforward. The regulator made many advancements in the last couple of years, reducing everything to just five key steps:

📌 Fit and Proper

The MGA is one of the strictest organizations when it comes to vetting potential licensees. A key part of this is the Fit and Proper test, which is designed to remove any suspicious individuals from the equation. They do so by doing a background check on not just the company owner but everyone involved in operations and financing.

To accomplish this, the Gaming Authority collaborates with various national and international bodies. This includes other gambling regulators, law enforcement, and many other organizations. Of course, the MGA is legally allowed to do this, and they have strict protocols about safeguarding licensee data. Just to be clear, there’s no way to bypass the Fit and Proper test. If an applicant fails, they’re automatically rejected, regardless of the other paperwork.

📌 Business Planning

Next, the regulator wants to see whether or not the operation is feasible. The reason behind this particular step is two-fold. First and foremost, the MGA wants to protect both the players and the national economy. Unstable casinos put innocent people at risk, especially if they suddenly stop paying withdrawals. They also use law enforcement and MGA resources, all while potentially discouraging other operators from applying.

So how does the Gaming Authority review business plans? Well, they take a deep dive into the entire proposed structure of the company. The most important part is the financial forecast, which includes data about cash flow maintenance as well as gross revenue. But they don’t stop there. The MGA also reviews HR plans, quarterly growth targets, and even marketing strategies. All of this gives them enough info to determine whether the operator will succeed or not.

📌 Operational Review

If the applicant is deemed fit and proper and has a feasible business plan, they must submit their operational plans and schemes for review. As a part of this step, the MGA will look into the terms of use, internal procedure, and technical documentation. However, the majority of work goes into vetting the online casino games the site intends to offer.

To pass, the casino must be clear in its explanation and not contain any misleading content whatsoever. If the MGA is happy with what they see, the applicant must prove they have enough capital. Every license class has a minimum of capital required to apply. Usually, licensees apply for Classes 1, 2, and 3, which equates to a requirement of €240,000.

📌 System Review

Usually, the previous step would be the end of the process. It makes sense, as it’s easy to gauge an operator by looking at all the information we just mentioned. But, as expected, the MGA goes a step further. They want to see the proposed project in action, which is why all applicants must undergo a system review. Only those operators who passed the previous three steps can reach this one.

And we have to say, this is a pretty unique way to look into a potential licensee. Once the MGA notifies the applicant of their success, they have to implement the software. There’s a 60-day period during which the roll-out has to be completed. During this time, applicants are allowed to ask an MGA-approved Service Provider to carry out a system audit. This effectively lets people know if they’re doing something wrong and how to fix those issues.

In addition, the licensee mustn’t alter the plan they submitted during earlier stages of the process. Small changes are allowed, but they are subject to approval from the MGA. The application will be rejected if the deviations between the proposed version and the final one are too big. Finally, operators that pass the test are awarded a ten-year license.

📌 Compliance Review

Amazingly, we’re still not done yet. After the license is awarded, the casino can go live and accept players. However, they are still ‘on probation.’ As a result, the MGA runs a series of compliance audits in collaboration with verified Service Providers. These checks must be completed in 90 days or less after the regulator notifies the applicant.

If the casino passes the test, they are allowed to operate freely. At the end of the first year of the licensing period, the MGA runs another compliance audit. Expectedly, they don’t hesitate to revoke licenses of sites that have been inconsistent or shady. Depending on all of this, the casino will lay out a compliance plan for the future. The licensee must accept any auditing schedule proposed by the MGA, in addition to random, unannounced audits.

📌 Who Does the MGA Work with to Audit Online Casinos?

Like every regulator, the Malta Gaming Authority handles both the acceptance and the control of all licensees. But they’re in a unique situation, mainly because the MGA is by far the most popular regulator for iGaming projects. They can’t vet everyone alone, so they allow third-party Service Providers to assist them in determining an applicant’s compliance and legitimacy.

There’s no need to worry, as the MGA only works with reputable organizations and third-party auditors. This group includes the likes of iTech Labs, Deloitte, eCOGRA and Gaming Labs International Europe. Interestingly, they also collaborate with the Slovenian Institute of Quality and Metrology. You can always find the full list of Approved Auditors on the official MGA website.

📌 How Does the Malta Gaming Authority Help MGA Casinos?

When someone mentions the words ‘license’ or ‘compliance,’ every operator feels an instant wave of discomfort. And ironically, this often isn’t because of any wrongdoings or mistakes. Gambling regulators have earned a reputation for being rather authoritative and unwilling to assist applicants during the process. A large majority of them don’t even want to answer questions or elaborate on rules.

Well, the Malta Gaming Authority is a bit different. From the moment the process begins, MGA casinos have access to a variety of resources, such as:

1. YouTube video guides. That’s right, the MGA has its own YouTube channel, featuring multiple playlists with guides and explanations. Not only is the entire application process covered, but the videos are also long and detailed. Believe it or not, these aren’t 30-second walkthroughs with voiceovers in bad English. There are screen recordings for every step, and everything is slow, making it easy to follow what’s going on. Players can also use this resource to better understand the regulator’s safety standards.
2. License Relationship Management System (LRMS). If you haven’t realized by now, the MGA takes its duties very seriously. They don’t want to confuse applicants by speeding up the process or forcing them to submit documents in an unsafe way. Instead, everyone has to go through the LRMS portal, which is only used for completing steps of the application process. Operators can use it once they’re accepted, too, with detailed info and license history included.
3. License Register. This tool is perhaps the best showcase of the MGA’s transparency. Anyone can look up an operator, their details, and their license status. So if you run into new MGA casinos, you can check if they’re legit. Also, reporting fraudulent operators is easy. The MGA staff responds to submissions quickly, wasting no time uncovering the issue’s source.

📌 FAQ

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