Introduction

The island state of Malta is a popular jurisdiction for online gambling and today the regulatory authority (Lotteries and Gaming Authority) is actively issuing licenses to new operators in light of the impending restrictions on operators with a Curaçao license. The following is a detailed description of the reasons for the attractiveness of the Maltese license. 

The advantages of Maltese licenses:

 

Advantages of Maltese licenses:

  • Tax benefits; 
  • EU license allows you to operate in the EU countries which do not have their own license; 
  • Confidence from the players;
  • Possibility to cooperate with worldwide banks and payment systems; 
  • Impeccable reputation; 
  • The country is not an offshore zone; 
  • Licensing a large number of different games. 

Types of Maltese gambling license

Malta issues B2C licenses of the following four types: 

  • Class 1 – Games whose outcome is determined by a random number generator: casino,roulette. The required share capital is 100,000 euros. 
  • Class 2 – Games the outcome of which is not determined by a random number, but an independent event. The operator only offers odds to the player The required authorized capital is 100 000 euros. 
  • Class 3 – Games where the operator is not at risk, but receives income from commissions or other fees. The required share capital is 40,000 euros. 
  • Class 4 – Controlled skill games (Fantasy sports). The required share capital is 40,000 euros. However, if a company chooses to play several types of games, the total amount of the share capital can be 240,000 EUR. This capital can be used to pay expenses/operations in the process.

 

Taxation

Any person offering any gaming service which constitutes a qualifying activity, whether by remote communication or in gaming premises or by any other means to any player who is physically present in Malta at the time the gaming service is actually provided, shall, in addition to the gaming device tax, if any, levied under regulation 4, pay to the Authority for each tax period a gambling tax calculated at the rate of five percent (5%) of the gaming income received.

License fees

B2C – Type 1Minimum 15 000 EUR – Maximum 375 000 EUR
Amount per fiscal yearRate
for each EUR of the first 3 000 0001.25%
for each EUR of the next 4 500 0001.00%
for each EUR of the next 5 000 0000.85%
for each EUR of the next 7 500 0000.70%
for each EUR of the next 10 000 0000.55%
for each EUR of the remaining amount0.40%

 

B2C – Type 2Minimum 25 000 EUR – Maximum 600 000 EUR
Amount per fiscal yearRate
for each EUR of the first 3 000 0004.00%
for each EUR of the next 4 500 0003.00%
for each EUR of the next 5 000 0002.00%
for each EUR of the next 7 500 0001%
for each EUR of the next 10 000 0000,80%
for each EUR of the next 10 000 0000,60%
for each EUR of the remaining amount0,40%

 

B2C – Type 3Minimum 25 000 EUR – Maximum 500 000 EUR
Amount per fiscal yearRate
for each EUR of the first 2 000 0004.00%
for each EUR of the next 3 000 0003.00%
for each EUR of the next 5 000 0002.00%
for each EUR of the next 5 000 0001.00%
for each EUR of the next 5 000 0000.80%
for each EUR of the next 10 000 0000.60%
for each EUR of the remaining amount0.40%

 

B2C – Type 4Минимум 5 000 EUR – Максимум 500 000 EUR
Сумма за финансовый годСтавка
for each EUR of the first 2 000 0000.50%
for each EUR of the next 3 000 0000.75%
for each EUR of the next 5 000 0001.00%
for each EUR of the next 5 000 0001.25%
for each EUR of the next 5 000 0001.50%
for each EUR of the next 10 000 0001.75%
for each EUR of the remaining amount2%

 

Personal licenses (Key functions)

In order to appoint an employee to a key function, the employee must obtain approval (personal license) from the regulator. This certificate is issued for 3 years.

It is not possible to hold the following positions without this license:

BusinessTechnologyCompliance
CEOTechnologyCompliance
MarketingInformation SecurityAnti-Fraud
FinanceRisk Management
AML/CFT
Responsible Gaming
Player Support
Privacy
Legal
Internal Audit

A number of positions can be combined, but positions should not be in conflict with each other.

Procedure for obtaining a license in Malta

The first step is to open a legal entity in Malta, as well as a bank account to deposit the share capital. Next is the collection of all necessary documents, with their subsequent check by the regulator. 

MGA (Malta Gaming Authority) conducts a compliance check of the applicant, assessing all information relating to the persons involved in the funding and management, as well as the viability of the business. Particular attention is paid to possible money laundering and terrorist financing that is closely monitored by MGA. 

All information is submitted at a moment’s notice.  

We would like to pay special attention to the list of people needed for registration of a company. In addition to the standard Director and UBO in the case of Malta will be required:  

  • Internal Auditor (to be appointed no later than 6 months from the date of receipt of the license) 
  • Key legal (to be appointed no later than 6 months from the date of receipt of the license) 
  • Money Laundering reporting officer (“MLRO”) – must be appointed at the time of license application  

These officers may be outsourced. 

List of necessary documents for obtaining a Malta gambling license

  • The original or certified true copy of the birth certificate;  
  • Original or certified true copy of passport; 
  • Original or certified true copy of the certificate of no criminal record;
  • A receipt must be submitted for each jurisdiction in which the applicant has resided for more than six months within the past two years; 
  • A certified true copy of any gaming license issued in favor of the applicant in his or her individual capacity in any jurisdiction (optional); 
  • Original or certified true copy of bank statement (updated within six (6) months of filing date for shareholders and PSUs);  
  • Original or certified true copy of utility bill or bank statement showing applicant’s current address or any other document.  
  • Applicant’s current address or any document showing address of residence;  
  • Letter of appointment/occupancy as a key person;  
  • Permission from other licensees for this new appointment; and Declaration of source of shareholder income.  

Obtaining a license with all documents will take 7 to 12 months. All of the above documents, if in a foreign language, must be submitted to the Malta Gaming Authority translated into English and certified according to the standards of the MGA.

.

Operational and statutory requirements

The applicant is screened for the tools necessary to conduct the business. This process includes a review of the registration documents, games, rules, conditions, terms and procedures of the game, the business process involved in conducting remote games, rules, conditions, terms and procedures of the game, and control systems. At this stage, even the business plan of the applicant is checked, which should be made for three years with the goals spelled out in it.

The aforementioned components make up the verification of application requirements. Non-compliant and substandard applications are rejected and the applicant in question will have to reapply.

After successful completion of all steps, the MGA will inform the applicant that the application has been satisfied and invite the applicant to implement in the technical environment in preparation for the launch. In the case of any non-compliance, a period of 6 months will be given to correct the non-compliance.

After successful completion of the certification process the MGA will issue a license for a period of five years.

On receipt of the Malta licence an annual non-refundable fee of €25,000 shall be payable for all licence types except 4. For the latter such fee will be 10,000 EUR.

Regulator requirements for the operator's website

Information that must be on the operator’s website: 

  • Information about the operator (company name, legal address, contact information);  
  • MGA Dynamic Seal; Link to gambling-related harm support organization;
  • Website must be in at least English/Maltese;
  • A message about responsible gambling, information about available player support measures, and a sign indicating that underage gambling is not tolerated;
  • Terms & Conditions; Permanently available and accessible to players (including before registration); Only one applicable version of T&C.
  • If a player does not accept the new T&C, they are not allowed to continue playing;
  • Players must accept substantive changes before they take effect;
  • Substantial changes must be brought to the attention of the MGA;
  • The rules of the game must always be easily accessible and understandable, and must be within one click of the game; Information about any commissions or fees;
  • Unfair terms under the EU Consumer Protection Act.

 

Requirements for the Audit

The MGA anticipates that after launch, it must undergo a series of audits conducted by the Internal Auditor we mentioned above. Such audits must be completed within 90 days of notification from the MGA.

 

FAQ

Our Clients

UA
+380443793128

Mon-Fri 10:00-19:00

Ukraine

Konyskoho St. 55А, Kyiv, Ukraine, 04053

EST
+3726028480

Mon-Fri 10:00-19:00

Estonia

Harju maakond, Tallinn, Kesklinna linnaosa, Tuukri tn 19-315, 10152

USA
+13478979183

Mon-Fri 10:00-19:00

United States

228 Park Ave S PMB 516920 New York, New York 10003-1502 US