Online Gambling License in Malta
Updated: 2025
One of the more esteemed licensing bodies in Europe for online gaming is based in Malta, an island nestled in the Mediterranean that is a full member of the EU. Malta began overseeing online gaming in 2000 with the Public Lotto Ordinance but came to international prominence when, in 2004, it became the first EU member state to regulate online gambling.
In Malta, all types of gaming are controlled by the Lottery and Gaming Authorities (LGA) under something called the Remote Gaming Regulations, 2004. When looked at from the outside, it certainly seems as though Malta is one of the safer places in the world to get a gaming license. That's because Malta has some pretty strict standards when it comes to what kinds of operations can offer gambling and what kinds of sites can be called gambling sites. Also, it helps that Malta is a full member of the EU.
Is This a Legitimate Licensing Authority?
From the players’ perspective, a Maltese license doesn’t amount to much. The LGA does seem to have strict licensing standards, but only in theory. In practice, it’s fairly easy for operators to get a license from the LGA, and, in the real world, the LGA doesn’t seem to enforce many of the published safety standards that it requires of licensed operators.
For seasoned bettors, a license from Malta is not impressive. Companies that have been licensed by Malta have repeatedly confiscated player funds and have, in nearly every instance, refused to cooperate with players in getting those funds back. This, to Malta's discredit, is not an isolated incident.
Casino player disputes don’t involve Malta. Its approach appears more as a hands-off approach rather than a proactive protect-the-player approach. Sure, the island can and does revoke licenses, but not often enough to instill confidence that it cares much whether players have problems with the casinos they interact with.
Conversely, a Malta license is not a death stamp. PokerStars is the most secure and esteemed poker site on Earth, and it is licensed in Malta. The important part is that PokerStars operates at a high standard of its own doing; the Malta license has nothing to do with it.
If you are thinking about joining a site that is licensed in Malta, it would be wise to maintain your research. This authority oversees both very good and very bad gambling sites. Each site has its own reputation, and that reputation must do the job of indicating whether that site is safe and reliable or not. A site that is licensed in Malta can be of very good quality or very bad quality; the license itself guarantees neither.
Licensing Process and Fees
A gambling company can apply for one of four types of licenses in Malta. The application process is relatively inexpensive. However, the company will pay ongoing fees that can almost be considered a tax. Malta has licensed more than 500 sites, making this a sizable part of the Maltese economy. Something like half a million euros comes into the Maltese coffers every month.
Here are the four categories of licenses and the costs associated with each. Before we get into the particulars of such costs, it is essential to understand that every license requires an application process that costs €2,330; a system audit that costs €1,770; and an annual fee of €8,500.
The total annual taxes and fees for any single license are capped at €466,000.
Class 1 License
Sites that host casino-type games, such as blackjack, roulette, and slots, are issued a Class 1 license.
- €4,660 for the first six months
- €7,000 per month after that
Class 2 License
Operators who conduct sports betting types of wagers that include a vigorish/juice are given a Class 2 license.
- 0.5% tax on total gross amount of bets placed
Class 3 License
Peers-to-peer betting operators such as poker, bingo, and betting exchanges can obtain a Class 3 license for taking commission on gambling-related activities. And the same goes for lotteries. A Class 3 license is not easy to get, yet these operators are very much part of the gambling landscape.
- 5% of total real income
Class 4 License
A Class 4 license is given to individuals who manage and host gaming operations. For instance, software providers that manage the games and bets but do not actually take bets for their own profit. The Class 4 license applies in large part to online gaming.
- No fee for the first six months
- €2,330 for the next six months
- €4,660 per month thereafter
If you have more questions or concerns about the different types of licenses or fees you can always visit thie website or contact them by phone or email. Below is all the contact information for the Lottery and Gaming Authorities in Malta:
- Website: http://www.lga.org.mt/
- E-Mail: [email protected]
- Phone: +356 2546 9000
