Online Casinos Malta Guide 2024 ▶️ Safe Maltese Games and Bonuses

Online casino reviews are our bread and butter, so for the most part this page is dedicated to online gambling in Malta. That said, we will touch upon some of the island’s most famous land-based casinos later in the page, so you can also skip there if that’s what you’re looking for.

The Top 10 Trusted Online Casinos in Malta

After some rigorous testing, we managed to whittle down all the best online casinos in Malta to a definitive top ten. The ten casinos in our Malta online casino list below scored the highest for our testing criteria, which we’ll expand upon in just a moment. If you’re ready to go and start enjoying some of the best online casinos Malta has to offer, dive right in with any of the links below.

Which Is the Best Maltese Casino Website?

We have a set of strict criteria for finding the best Malta casino site in different categories, and all operators recommended passed with flying colours. We pay specific attention to safety and security and have confidently listed the best online casinos in Malta for different categories.

All of the Maltese online casinos listed above meet our security expectations, so customers at these operators are at no risk of scams. We have sorted them according to some of the most popular features expected by us and our readers, and they have scored great ratings in all categories of our test. However, if you are looking for something specific, then perhaps you need a more specialised platform, and the table below may help you find what you need.

With so many unregulated operators on the market, it is imperative that players only choose safe places to play. Making a choice from our top recommended online casinos in Malta is the safest way to enjoy the entertainment provided by these operators. Not only have we checked the security of each site but we have also looked at bonus terms and conditions, customer support and the overall quality of the content.

Best Online Casino for Malta Players at a Glance – 2024 Test Winner

We stand by every selection in our ranking of the best online casinos Malta has to offer. However, there was one operator that stood head and shoulders above the competition, and we’ve linked them below. This site impressed us with its safety measures, game library and scam-free payouts.

If any of the information in the table above appeals to you, you can go straight to the recommended site by clicking the links provided. It is there that you will be able to open an account, deposit real money and opt into the generous welcome bonus.

A Guide to the Best Casino Sites in Malta

When we’re looking at online casinos, player safety and security is always our number one priority. If a casino isn’t secure, it simply isn’t worth your time. That’s why we will only ever recommend casinos that have received licensing from their respective nation’s regulatory boards, as well as certification from third party security and data encryption services.

If a casino doesn’t meet this criteria, we won’t feature them. It’s that simple. Once they’ve passed that first test, we can start looking at the other features. Below you can see what must-haves we’re looking for when we research a casino.

Though every criterion is important, safety will always be paramount to us. We know that our readers trust us, and we would never abuse that trust by directing them to any dodgy sites. This is also why we keep a close eye on the legality of gambling throughout the world. We don’t want any of our readers to risk getting in trouble, so you can find the full details of Malta’s gambling laws further down in the page.

1. Safety and Scam Protection When Playing for Real Money

It probably seems like a no-brainer to many of you, but believe it or not there are a lot of people out there who don’t take enough precautions certain online casinos Malta players can join. Not only is your money at stake when you play at vulnerable sites, but your data is, too. To protect yourself from identity theft and/or losing huge sums of money, you should always keep a close eye on the security credentials for whatever casino you choose. Usually, if you scroll to the bottom of a casino’s homepage you’ll find everything you need to know.

The main things you need to lookout for are a valid licence from the country in which the casino is operating, a seal of approval from a third-party arbiter, well-known and established payment methods (like PayPal, Visa and Mastercard), and certificates from encryption software services. If your chosen operator has all of these, then you’re in good hands. If not, we’d advise that you give them a miss.

Afterall, there’s plenty more fish in the sea and betting on a dodgy casino simply isn’t worth the risk. As previously stated, all of the operators from our Malta online casino list have been screened for security. This means you’ll only find casinos that carry all of the aforementioned credentials here.

2. Secure Payments – Depositing and Withdrawing Safely

Payment methods can play a huge role in the overall security of an online casino. You should only ever use ones with which you are familiar and have a proven track record. Below you’ll find a selection of some of the most common payment options available at secure online casinos.

Naturally, different payment options cater to different needs. If you’re looking for brand recognition and universal availability, you’ll probably want to stick with the likes of Visa and Mastercard. If you want to add another layer of security to your transfers, you should probably stick with e-Wallets like PayPal, which don’t require you to share your bank details directly with a casino.

Just be aware that when opting into the welcome bonus of your chosen casino, restrictions may apply on certain payment options. This means the bonus might only be triggered by deposits from some payment options but not others. To avoid any issues, always read the terms and conditions carefully.

2.1. PayPal: Recommended Payment Method

Where possible, we always recommend using e-Wallet services, and specifically PayPal. There are a number of reasons why we do this. Firstly, eWallets add another level of security to your online casino experience. They allow you to make secure payments without revealing your bank details directly, meaning your data will never be vulnerable to theft.

We recommend PayPal specifically in most cases because it is perhaps the best known and most trusted eWallet online. As luck would have it, PayPal’s reach at online casinos Malta players can use has expanded in recent years. As of 2016 Maltese users can withdraw their PayPal funds into their bank accounts. Previously it was only possible to withdraw onto a credit card or into a United States bank account.

This is great news for Maltese users, as withdrawals to credit cards often came with additional fees. The only downside to using PayPal at Malta online casinos is that it isn’t available in every single casino yet. Though many of the biggest and best casinos offer the eWallet, it’s still unfortunately absent from some, so that’s something to be aware of.

2.2. Limits and Fees

Something to take into consideration when choosing a payment option is the possible limits and fees. This differs from casino to casino, and from provider to provider. Similarly, processing time will differ a great deal depending on your choice. For example, bank transfers will take considerably longer to process than PayPal payments.

Above you’ll see a comparison between various payment methods and their respective deposit and withdrawal limits, fees and payout times. With the information above you should be able to choose the best option for your individual needs, whether you’re a high roller looking for wide limits or a budget-conscious player looking to eliminate fees.

Fees can sometimes be controlled by a currency exchange agent as in some Bitcoin online casinos in Malta, so due dilligence is required.

3. Reliable Customer Support Service

Strong customer support is something that really can’t be overlooked in the overall casino experience. In the event of any issues, it’s important to have easily accessible support across a variety of methods, available at any time. Naturally, response times will often depend on the method used, as we’ve outlined below.

4. Transparent and Fair Casino Bonus Terms for Maltese Players

Bonuses always look great on the surface. After all, they’re usually there to attract new players, so they need to make a good impression. However, sometimes the terms of these offers can result in players paying in a small fortune just to get a small bonus sum in return. That’s why it’s always important to pay close attention to the following details even at the top online casinos Malta players can access bonuses:

• Wagering Requirements – How many times do you have to wager the value of the deposit, the bonus funds, or both.
• Validity period – The period of time you have within which to meet the wagering requirements. Be warned that if you do not meet the requirements within the validity period, all bonus winnings will become void.
• Excluded games – Certain games will not contribute towards your wagering requirements, so be aware of which titles are excluded.
• Rates of contribution – Some games count more towards your wagering requirements than others. For example, slots typically count 100% towards the requirements, whereas table games count far less.
• Accepted payment methods – Occasionally certain payment methods will not trigger a bonus. This information will be available in the bonus terms and conditions.

Below you’ll find our choice for the best online casinos Malta welcome bonus. It was chosen off the strength of not only the rewards it offers, but its fair terms. We believe it represents the best possible offer based on what is expected from the player. If it all looks good to you, you can click on over to the operator and opt in now. For even more choice see our page on the best online casino bonuses in Malta.

5. Rich Casino Games Selection

This seems like a given, but any operator on our Malta online casino list is only ever as good as its game selection. When we examine a games library, we’re not just looking for pure quantity but diversity too. This means we pay special attention to whether the library has a healthy mix of slots, table games and scratch card games, as well as providing titles from a wide variety of software developers.

Below you’ll find our choice of the best Malta online casino when it comes to game selection. The operator below blew us away with its exciting titles, all of which come from the biggest and most celebrated names in the industry. Feel free to visit the library yourself, play some free demos or even start playing for real money.

6. Stable Software Compatible with All Devices

It’s a reality of modern gaming that more players are ditching their desktops in favour of playing on mobile devices. That’s why it’s important for online casinos to offer options for mobile gameplay. This can be in the form of a dedicated app or by simply optimizing their sites for mobile through using HTML5.

In our experience, most opt for the latter as this allows on-the-go gaming to be compatible across all devices and won’t eat up any memory. The availability of the software isn’t the only thing, though. When playing on mobile security is, once again, a big concern. That’s why we screen for casinos with the safest, most reliable mobile software.

What You Need to Know to Play Legally in Malta

Every country has its own laws and attitudes towards gambling, and these can even differ between land-based gambling and online. Before playing at any Malta online casino, it is paramount that you understand the legal situation. On this site we will never recommend that you take a chance on gambling in a country where online activities are prohibited. It simply isn’t worth the risk.

Luckily for players in Malta, this won’t be a concern. Below we’ve outlined the gambling laws in Malta, in addition to a breakdown of the taxation on winnings and links to some of the most relevant resources.

Gambling Laws and Authorities in Malta

When it comes to online gambling, Malta is something of a pioneer. It was the first EU member to legalize online gambling, and has since become an important hub for the online casino industry. This means that players in Malta can not only play freely and legally, but they also have an enormous selection of licensed operators to choose from.

All gambling is regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority, which routinely issues licenses for online casinos that operate both at home and abroad. The MGA is the gold standard for legitimate casinos, and the best online casino Malta players can use will not have its seal of approval.

The application process for receiving an MGA license is quite simple. Any operators wishing to receive a license must first visit the MGA website and enter the Licensee Relationship System. Once they’ve logged into the system, they can begin the official application process to become one of the casino sites in Malta.

This consists of 11 steps. Throughout the steps the applicant is required to provide information regarding financial management, policies and procedures, gaming information and more. Once submitted, the applicant can follow the status of their application in real-time. The application is forwarded to the Regulatory Directorate for review. If successful, a license will be issued and the operator will be cleared to begin operations in Malta.

Gambling Taxation – Do You Owe Taxes After a Win

There’s an old saying that says that only two things are certain – death and taxes. Despite this, many people fail to understand that taxes apply not only to their regular income but sometimes to their gambling winnings, too.

No matter where you’re from or where you’re playing, it’s imperative that you have a working knowledge of the country’s taxation on gambling winnings. Otherwise you could find yourself in a sticky situation where you have to backpay taxes on any winnings.

Don’t panic, though. If you’re playing at any of the top online casinos Malta players can join such as VBET, you will not be required to pay any taxes on your gambling winnings. While the operators themselves are required by law to pay taxes, winnings are not classed as income under Maltese tax law and are therefore not taxed.

Naturally, taxation on gambling winnings differs from country to country. Malta is one of many countries that does not tax players for their winnings. Other countries that choose to tax operators as opposed to individual players include the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, Germany and Canada. Of course, not every country is as lucky. Players in the United States must pay 25% of their winnings in taxes.

Most Important Legal Texts

Due to the fact that gambling is so well-regulated in Malta, and thanks to its open and liberal attitude towards the practice, there are numerous legal texts that are worthy of your attention when studying the legality of gambling in the island. Many of these texts are regularly updated, and the latest regulations and legislative texts can be downloaded and read on the MGA website.

For a solid overview of the legal situation in Malta, we’d recommend paying special attention to the Gaming Act 2018, Gaming Definitions Regulations 2018, Gaming Tax Regulations 2018 and the Electronic Communications Act. All texts can be viewed in both English and Maltese.

What Might the Future Hold

As far as what the future holds, there isn’t a great deal of change expected in the Maltese market. After all, there’s very little to be done by way of making things more progressive. The gambling industry, both online and land-based, is a tremendous boon to Malta’s economy, bringing in tourists and companies alike.

As such, there’s been next to no push to restrict gambling activities and ventures within the country. In the unlikely event that things should change, we’ll be quick to report on it. Check back to this page for regular updates on the legal situation in Malta.

Comparison with Other Markets

The gambling industry in Malta is perhaps one of the strongest in Europe, if not the world. Thanks to its low taxation and liberal attitude towards gambling, it has become a major base of operations for many online casinos and other gambling companies.

Despite being the hub of so much activity, the indigenous market is relatively small compared to the UK and Germany, which currently represent the largest markets in Europe. This could be due to the comparatively small size of Malta’s population, in addition to the fact that the legal gambling age for Maltese residents is 25, considerably higher than that in other markets.

On the plus side, Malta players are entitled to bonuses when signing up with an operator unlike when joining the best online casinos in Spain.

Curious Facts About the Market

The Maltese gambling market is teeming with curiosities. For starters, despite being home to an enormous number of some of the best-performing online casinos and some truly exciting land-based options, the majority of Maltese players stick to the lottery as their preferred gambling outlet.

It’s also difficult to think of another country where the market plays such a significant role in the nation’s economy. In 2022 it was estimated that the gaming industry has earned €1.7 billion for Malta’s economy and has created 9,800 jobs in the island.

Gambling Statistics

As mentioned above, the gambling industry in Malta is responsible for adding over 1 billion euro to the nation’s economy, as well as providing thousands of jobs. The nation welcomes 1.6 million tourists each year, many of whom flock to the island’s six luxurious casinos. While tourists opt to play slots and table games – poker in particular – residents are more interested in playing lotto, with citizens spending as much as €128 million on the lottery and other activities in 2018.

On this island, gambling is also on the rise, in particular among young people living in non-urban areas. This could be due to the number of online casinos available in the island, which allow players to access gambling activities despite living far distances from land-based establishments.

Problem gambling is relatively low, with the Responsible Gaming Foundation stating that fewer than 4,000 people in the country suffer from severe gambling problems.

Looking at the trends at statistics, it makes sense that the lottery would still reign supreme. While tourists can enjoy the wide variety of games on offer in Maltese casinos from the age of 18 onwards, Maltese citizens must be over 25 to enter a casino.

However, the lottery only requires players to be aged 16 or older. With gambling on the rise primarily within Maltese youth as a demographic, it follows that the most accessible gambling activity – the lottery – would be the biggest earner.

Gambling Resorts

Though there are countless Maltese online casinos, your land-based options are far fewer. This has nothing to do with land-based gambling regulations in the country (which are generally quite lax) but rather the size of the country. As Malta only measures about 316 square kilometers, there simply isn’t the space or population density to support or necessitate many land-based casinos.

Therefore, there are only six land-based casinos to choose from, along with a horse racing track and two sportsbooks. We’ve highlighted some of the best brick-and-mortar establishments below.

Dragonara Casino

If you play frequently at the best online casinos Malta has to offer, you’ve likely already heard of Dragonara casino. The lavish establishment can be visited virtually in many live suites thanks to Evolution Dragonara Roulette, which streams directly from the casino. The casino itself is houses in a 19th century palace, the former summer residence of the Scicluna family.

It became the nation’s first casino in 1964, and has since become Malta’s most popular gambling establishment and a massive tourist attraction. It’s estimated that 350,000 players visit the resort annually.

One of the resort’s biggest claims to fame is that it houses the nation’s only poker room with a seaside view. Additionally, it boasts 300 slot machines and 15 live tables, all available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you visit Dragonara, you’ll have your choice of three bars and a restaurant in which to indulge in refreshments. You can even stay in the adjacent hotel, which is built on the palace lawn.

Casino Malta by Olympic Casino

In size alone, Casino Malta by Olympic Casino has the honour of being the biggest casino in Malta. It spans 3,000 square meters and is home to 285 slot machines, two electric roulette tables, and 29 game tables. It also caters to sports betting, and regularly hosts poker tournaments.

Like many of its competitors, it is open 24 hours a day and every weekend welcomes a different live act to the stage for the enjoyment of its loyal players.

The casino is located in St. Julians, close to the scenic St. George’s Bay. It features a sports bar where visitors can watch and bet on foorball, tennis, basketball, boxing, horse racing, golf and Formula 1. The casino even has its own app for live betting, which can be used by requesting tablets at the casino cash desk. It’s a must-visit for high rollers, as winnings at the casino frequently reach into the tens of thousands of euro.

Famous Maltese Gamblers

Despite being such a major gambling hub, Malta isn’t very well-represented in the gambling world at large. As mentioned previously, this has a lot to do with the nation’s small size and high legal gambling age. As a result, there are very few famous gamblers who hail from this tiny island nation.

In fact, the most famous gambler from Malta is, in fact, American by birth. Bjorn Kleathersson emigrated to Malta in part thanks to its liberal attitude towards poker, which allowed him to flourish and quickly become one of the best tournament players in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

We use our huge experience in the gambling industry to bring you advice and recommendations about the best online casinos in Malta. Of course, it’s natural that you may have additional questions. Take a look at the FAQs below: we have compiled more information about online Maltese casinos there, so your answer may already be waiting for you.

1️⃣ Which is the best online casino in Malta?

While there are so many fantastic and safe online casinos on the Maltese market, we believe that Playzee is the top online casino in Malta overall based its welcome offer, mobile experiences and games library.

2️⃣ Which is the best slots site in Malta?

To find out our verdict, and see what makes them so special, we recommend that you take a look at our ranking of the best online casinos Malta has to offer all of which have great slot collections.

3️⃣ Are online casinos legal in Malta?

Yes, online casinos are legal in Malta. In fact, many online casinos have their headquarters based in Malta, such is the island's liberal attitude towards the gambling industry. To learn more, you can read our overview of Maltese gambling laws.

4️⃣ Can I win real money at online casinos in Malta?

Yes, you can absolutely win real money at online casinos in Malta. However, in order to do so, you'll need to be playing with real money. To learn how to deposit into your account and which payment methods are available, we recommend you read our guide to casino payments.

5️⃣ Which Maltese casino has the best payouts?

We believe that our recommended casinos all feature the best payouts currently available on the Maltese market. That said, payouts are just one factor that we screen for when selecting operators. You can learn more about our selection process by reviewing our criteria.

6️⃣ Do all Malta casino sites take PayPal?

The vast majority accept PayPal given its worldwide popularity. Read more about this recommended payment method and discover if your favourite Malta casino site accepts it.

7️⃣ Which Maltese online casino comes with the best bonus offer?

After intense consideration we decided that this site we highlight came out top when assessing all the bonus requirements. Not only is it a fair welcome promotion, it comes from a trusted online casino Malta players can access.

8️⃣ Which are the safest online casinos for Maltese players?

When considering the safety of online casinos Malta residents can play we have a safety criteria which includes, but not limited to licensing, website encryption and responsible gambling.

9️⃣ Do all Malta online casinos accept many payment methods?

Most Maltese online casinos have an assortment of payment methods ranging from debit cards to eWallets right through to popular pre-payment cards. Read our payments section to find out more.

🔟 Is online gambling legal in Malta?

We have outlined the legal position of online gambling in Malta here. Suffice to say, it is perfecting within the law for Malta residents to sign-up with any licensed operator.

Top Offer for Playing Real Money Games in Malta

After combing through the best online casinos Malta has to offer and all of their respective deals, we’ve decided that the offer below represents the very best of the bunch. If you’ve stuck around this long, we can’t recommend this operator highly enough. Feel free to click on over to opt into the welcome bonus and start playing for real money now.