Malta Gambling Laws: Everything You Need to Know
The subject of the current Malta gambling laws is one with which every potential Maltese gambler should familiarise himself. It is vital to know all the MGA regulations that users must abide by. To avoid any risks, we recommend that you take a look at the next sections to learn about the 2024 gambling laws in Malta.
Is Malta a Gambling-Friendly Location?
One of the first things we want to focus on is the fact that Malta is, perhaps, one of the best places in the world when it comes to gambling. Many experts rank it as a top gambling destination, due to the fact that most gambling activities are fully permitted there.
One of the reasons for this is that Malta has an incredibly strong regulatory framework, which is super beneficial for the iGaming industry. In the following text, you will learn more about the current gambling regulations in Malta. We will do our best to make our explanations as detailed as possible.
General Information About the Gambling Laws in Malta
According to the Malta gambling laws, both gambling at MT online casinos and land-based gambling are completely legal within the borders of the island country. All gambling activities fall into the category of “gaming activities”. These include but are not limited to sports betting, amusement games, tombola games, remote gaming, the National Lottery, and so on.
In 2004, Malta became the very first EU member to bring in detailed online gambling regulations. In 2018, the so-called Malta Gaming Act came into force, outlining the initial gambling laws in Malta. The authority that regulates gambling in Malta is, as many of you know, the Malta Gaming Authority. According to the latest Gaming Act, however, the issued licences are divided into two categories.
The first one is B2B or B2B Critical Gaming Supply Licence. The second one is B2C Gaming Service Licence. The second licence is issued in cases of the provision of a gaming service or hosting of a gaming operation on public premises. The B2B, on the other hand, is used for control systems, software, material elements, etc.
In Malta, both games of skill and games of chance are considered legal. As most of you probably know, games of chance is a term that applies to activities involving outcomes generated by chance. Skill games’ results, on the other hand, are mostly based on skill. The MGA always classifies activities beforehand, as specific rulings may be issued by the Authority.
As of 2019, with the introduction of the Sandbox Regulatory Framework, cryptocurrency transactions at casinos became possible, as well. At present, Maltese Bitcoin casinos are quite popular not only in Malta but in many other parts of the world, as well.
Regardless of what currency one uses, however, they are required to pay a gambling tax. According to the gambling laws in Malta, the gaming tax for Maltese players is 5%. It should be paid monthly and is based on their income generated from gambling, whether online or land-based.
The Main Gambling Regulatory Body in Malta
As aforementioned, the main regulatory body in Malta when it comes to gambling is the Malta Gaming Authority. It is responsible for the management of all gaming activities within the country. Whether we talk about online gambling or land-based gambling, the MGA is the regulatory body that issues the licences and certificates and monitors the activities.
| 🏛 Name : | Malta Gaming Authority |
| 🗺 Address: | Building SCM 02-03, Level 4, SmartCity Malta, Ricasoli SCM 1001, Malta |
| 📆 Established: | 2001 |
| 📞 Phone: | +356 2546 9000 |
| ✉ Email: | info.mga@mga.org.mt |
| 🌐 Website: | www.mga.org.mt |
To obtain a land-based casino licence, the applicant in question must first obtain an allowance from the MT government to operate the gambling house. At present, there are just a few Maltese casinos that have valid licences. Of course, sports betting venues must also hold licences given by the Authority.
The Online Gambling Industry in Malta
The online gambling industry in Malta is thriving. In fact, approximately 10% of the gambling companies in the entire world are registered in Malta. Experts believe that this year’s iGaming revenue will be even greater. One of the reasons why online gambling is so prominent there is the fact that it has a very positive impact on the Maltese economy.
At present, according to the gambling regulations in Malta, the types of online gaming companies that are permitted to operate within Malta are numerous. The legal activities include casino gambling, sports betting, and bingo. According to a recent study, more than 50% of the Maltese population takes part in gambling-related activities and more than 4,000 residents of the country play online casino games on a weekly basis.
FAQ About the Malta Gambling Laws
We hope we managed to answer most of your questions regarding the rules of gambling in Malta. To end this article in the best possible way, we will also include five final paragraphs. They contain answers to several queries that are, again, related to the current MGA regulations. It is advisable to pay attention to each of them.
1️⃣ Are there many legal gambling activities in Malta?
The legality of gambling in Malta has long been envied by people all over the world. This is due to the fact that Maltese gamblers can engage in numerous gaming activities, including playing at land-based gambling facilities, betting on sports, gambling at online casinos, and so on.
2️⃣ Is online gambling legal in Malta?
The iGaming industry in Malta is expanding tremendously fast. More than 10% of the gambling companies in the entire world are registered in Malta. As most of you probably know, there are myriads of online gambling platforms that hold licences issued by the Malta Gaming Authority.
3️⃣ Who regulates gambling in Malta?
The main gambling regulatory body in Malta is the Malta Gaming Authority. It was established back in 2001. The Authority regulates the respective sections of the gaming industry in the country. The MGA contributes to a fair gambling environment, as well as the elimination of corruption and money laundering.
4️⃣ Can I legally play online live dealer casino games when I am in Malta?
As you already know, there are numerous Malta-based online gambling companies. The best online roulette casinos in Malta are known for offering both RNG and live dealer titles, in addition to other game types. You will be free to play live blackjack, baccarat, casino poker, and more.
5️⃣ Are offshore websites accessible to Maltese players?
There are many gambling companies that are registered in Malta. Plus, the number of online casino brands that have been issued a licence from the MGA is huge. However, sometimes, Maltese players may want to gamble on offshore sites. According to the Malta gambling laws, that is not prohibited.