Equilex

Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) Licence - EU

EU's most recognised iGaming licence — tier-1 regulatory credibility, full EU market access, and the gold standard for operators targeting top payment providers, affiliates, and institutional investors

From scratch

From EUR 45,000

Timeline

From 4 months

Ready made

From EUR 180,000

Quick facts

Regulator / authority

Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)

Coverage

Casino · Sports · Poker · Bingo · Live · Lotteries · Controlled Skill Games

Best for

License type: B2C (Gaming Service Licence) & B2B (Critical Gaming Supply Licence) — issued separately

Local presence

Physical office in Malta required; at least one Malta-resident director; MLRO & Compliance Officer based locally

Substance level

Top restricted player markets: Market-specific (operators must comply with laws of each target jurisdiction; additional local licences required for Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, etc.)

Banking friendliness

High (accepted by all major card networks, tier-1 PSPs, and affiliate networks)

Who this is for

Best fit

  • Established or well-funded operators targeting EU and global Tier 1 markets
  • Businesses that need access to premium payment providers, card networks, and top affiliates
  • Operators who require the most credible licence available for investor due diligence or exit readiness
  • iGaming companies planning to raise institutional capital or pursue strategic partnerships
  • B2B software and platform providers supplying licensed operators across the EU
  • Operators already running an offshore licence and ready to upgrade to a full EU regulatory framework
  • Brands for whom player trust and regulatory reputation are key conversion drivers

What you can do (scope)

  • Online casino — RNG slots, table games, jackpots
  • Live dealer casino
  • Fixed-odds sports betting
  • Pool betting
  • Poker rooms
  • Bingo
  • Lotteries
  • Controlled skill games

Requirements overview

Company & presence

Malta-incorporated company (Ltd) required; physical office in Malta with sufficient operational staff; minimum share capital EUR 100,000 recommended; player funds must be held in a segregated account

Key persons / governance

Full KYC for UBOs, directors, and key roles: certified passport, CV, proof of address, PEP/sanctions screening, source of wealth; Malta-resident director required; MLRO and Compliance Officer must be MGA-approved, locally based, with iGaming experience

AML/CTF baseline expectations

AML programme under Malta PMLA; MLRO reporting to MGA; enhanced due diligence (PEPs/high-risk); ongoing monitoring; annual AML audit; mandatory responsible gaming tools

Reporting / audits

Annual audited financial statements (IFRS); monthly/quarterly compliance reports to MGA; immediate suspicious transaction reporting; annual MLRO report to board and MGA; data breach notifications to MGA and IDPC within 72 hours; ongoing software change notifications

Process (end-to-end steps)

Step 1: Eligibility check + scope mapping

Confirm business model, shareholder and UBO structure, target markets, and MGA readiness; assess substance requirements and budget for Malta setup

Step 2: Entity setup / restructuring (if needed)

Incorporate a Malta limited company; secure Malta office space; appoint or hire Malta-resident director; onboard MLRO and Compliance Officer; open Malta bank account

Step 3: Documentation pack

Compile full KYC/AML dossier, 3-year business plan with financial projections, gaming platform technical file, RNG and game certification, responsible gaming policy, MLRO appointment documentation

Step 4: Application submission

Submit application to MGA with non-refundable application fee; pay first-year annual licence fee on approval

Step 5: Regulator review + queries

Respond to MGA RFIs (requests for information); formal review period 12–16 weeks; updates to documents or clarifications requested by MGA case officer must be addressed promptly

Step 6: Licence issuance + go-live

Receive MGA licence certificate and Software Approval; activate B2C operations; ensure all key functions (MLRO, Compliance Officer) are operational; initiate MGA compliance reporting cycle

What's included in our support

  • Eligibility assessment and MGA readiness review
  • Malta company incorporation and registered office
  • Bank account opening advisory
  • Key function recruitment or outsourcing (MLRO, Compliance Officer)
  • Full MGA application documentation package (business plan, financial projections, technical file)
  • Application filing and MGA liaison throughout review

FAQ

The MGA's formal review takes 12–16 weeks. Including Malta company setup, staff hiring, and documentation preparation, most applicants should plan for 6–9 months from start to licence issuance

The fixed annual licence fee is EUR 25,000 for B2C operators and EUR 10,000 for B2B. In addition, a compliance contribution is payable on GGR — minimum EUR 15,000, up to EUR 600,000 for high-revenue operators. New operators benefit from a 12-month moratorium on compliance contributions

Not automatically. The MGA licence is your EU regulatory base, but many EU member states require additional local authorisation. Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, and others require separate national registrations. The MGA licence opens access to the market infrastructure; national licences authorise player-facing operations in specific countries

Yes. The MGA requires genuine local substance: a real operational office, at least one Malta-resident director, and key compliance functions (MLRO and Compliance Officer) employed or contracted locally. Virtual offices do not satisfy MGA requirements

The compliance contribution is a GGR-based annual levy paid to the MGA — separate from gaming tax. For casino operators (Type 1), the rate is 1.25% on the first EUR 3M of GGR, with a minimum of EUR 15,000 and a maximum of EUR 375,000. For betting operators (Types 2 & 3), the rate is 4%, with a minimum of EUR 25,000 and a maximum of EUR 500,000–EUR 600,000

No. The MGA issues separate licence types: the Gaming Service Licence (B2C) for operators providing services directly to players, and the Critical Gaming Supply Licence (B2B) for software, platform, and payment providers. Each has its own application process, requirements, and annual fees

The MGA licence is best suited for established or well-funded operators targeting Tier 1 EU and global markets — businesses that need top-tier payment provider access, premium affiliate partnerships, investor-grade regulatory credibility, or a competitive advantage in player trust markets. It is rarely the right choice for early-stage startups

The MGA does not prohibit cryptocurrency, and many MGA licensees do accept crypto payments. Operators must apply full AML/CTF controls, follow MGA's virtual asset guidance, and ensure their payment processing arrangements meet MGA compliance standards. There is no separate crypto licence track — crypto is handled within the standard MGA framework

Ready made

MGA Licence·From EUR 180,000

Ready to get started?

Discuss licensing from scratch or explore a ready-made route. We'll get back to you within 24 hours.

Latest on iGaming licensing

All articles