Malta is a European state, located on an island in the Mediterranean Sea, known all over the world for learning English and gambling.
Is gambling legal in Malta?
Yes, it is. You can receive a Maltese gaming license for gambling.
There are 2 basic categories of Maltese gaming license:
- a license for those who conduct a gambling business – offers, provides or ensures the functioning of gambling services (for online gambling) or maintains a public space in which gambling systems are located (for offline gambling);
- a license for those who ensure the gambling business – software delivery, software management for preparing, collecting, controlling or processing important documentation, etc.
In all, licenses are issued for four categories of gambling services in Malta – the licenses of 4 types with different gambling license cost, namely:
- Type 1 – of chance against an establishment, the result of which is determined by chance: roulette, blackjack, baccarat, lotteries, secondary lotteries and virtual sport games;
- Type 2 – of chance against an establishment, the result of which is determined not by chance, but by the result of an event or competition that has nothing to do with gambling – for example, bookmakers;
- Type 3 – of chance not against an establishment, but between gamblers, in which the establishment is not exposed to gaming risk, but generates income by charging a commission or another fee depending on bets or prize – poker, bingo, betting exchange and other games with a commission;
- Type 4 – controlled games for skill, such as logic games, quizzes, fantasy sports, etc.
In the context of a jurisdiction for conducting gambling activities Malta falls in-between Curacao and the United Kingdom: the gambling industry is not as deregulated as in Curacao, but the entry threshold and gambling license cost is not higher than in the United Kingdom
Advantages of the Maltese License
- Gambling in the EU: Malta is a member of the EU, which gives one significant advantage: Malta is allowed to engage in gambling activities not only under a Maltese License, but also under a license from any of the other EU countries that are included in the list of “reliable countries” of the Malta Gaming Authority – MGA (https://www.mga.org.mt/).
- Clarity of regulation: the Malta gambling legislation is quite clear, and the process of interaction with the state on license issues is standardized. This makes life much easier for business owners.
How do I get a Malta gaming license?
To obtain the Maltese License, you need to register a company in Malta and apply to MGA. Malta conducts a fairly serious check before issuing a gambling license – they check documentation, business processes related to gaming, rules, policies, technical documentation for gaming and control system, etc. In addition, there are clear requirements for the authorized capital of a company:
- Types No. 1 and No. 2 – minimum EUR 100.000;
- Types No. 3 and No. 4 – minimum EUR 40.000;
- if the company is applying for several licenses – the amount of the authorized capital must be summed up (for example, for all 4 types of licenses – EUR 280.000), but not less than EUR 240.000.
When submitting an application, the registration fee of EUR 2.300 must be paid. Based on the experience of VigoLex team, the whole process of registration and obtaining a license takes about 6-7 months. The Maltese License is issued for the period of 5 years.
It is very important to understand how much does a gambling license cost in Malta.
In Malta you must pay the annual Malta gaming license cost and the license compliance price. The annual Malta gaming license cost ranges from EUR 10.000 to EUR 25.000. The compliance Malta gaming license price depends on its category:
- for the Type No. 1 – from EUR 15.000 to EUR 375.000;
- for the Type No. 2 – from EUR 25.000 to EUR 600.000;
- for the Type No. 3 – from EUR 25.000 to EUR 500.000;
- for the Type No. 4 – from 5.000 to EUR 500.000.
The progressive interest rate based on the gambling income level applies to the compliance Malta gaming license price.
How do I open a casino in Malta?
To open a casino in Malta, you definitely need to do the following:
- register a company in Malta with share capital not less than EUR 100,000.00;
- receive a Type No. 1 gambling license Malta (details are provided above);
- if you are going to conduct a poker or other games with a commission, you should also receive a Type No. 3 gambling license Malta – in this case, share capital of your company has to be EUR 240,000.00, not EUR 100,000.00;
- prepare rules, policies, technical documentation for gaming and control system etc. for your casino.
Taxes for gambling in Malta
The tax burden in Malta is quite serious. The corporate income tax rate in Malta is 35%, but for non-residents in some cases it is possible to reduce taxes up to 5%. In addition, the gambling business is required to pay the additional Malta gambling tax of 5% of its incomes.
How can we help?
Vigolex team will help you to incorporate in Malta and receive the Maltese license for your business. Our specialists will professionally consult you on the questions related to the Malta gambling tax and others, will advise you on how much does a gambling license cost in your case etc.
Obtaining new iGaming license sometimes can be tricky and difficult procedure. We were lucky to pass the application of MGA (Malta) license with VigoLex consultancy. Thanks to their high standards we obtained the license just in a few months.
Denis Lukovkin – CMO Innovaventis
Advantages of the Maltese License:
- Gambling in the EU: Malta is a member of the EU, which gives one significant advantage: Malta is allowed to engage in gambling activities not only under a Maltese License, but also under a license from any of the other EU countries that are included in the list of “reliable countries” of the Malta Gaming Authority – MGA
- Clarity of regulation: the Malta gambling legislation is quite clear, and the process of interaction with the state on license issues is standardized. This makes life much easier for business owners.
How to obtain the Maltese License
To obtain the Maltese License, you need to register a company in Malta and apply to MGA. Malta conducts a fairly serious check before issuing a gambling license – they check documentation, business processes related to gaming, rules, policies, technical documentation for gaming and control system, etc. In addition, there are clear requirements for the authorized capital of a company:
- Types No. 1 and No. 2 – minimum EUR 100.000;
- Types No. 3 and No. 4 – minimum EUR 40.000;
- if the company is applying for several licenses – the amount of the authorized capital must be summed up (for example, for all 4 types of licenses – EUR 280.000), but not less than EUR 240.000.
When submitting an application, the registration fee of EUR 2.300 must be paid. Based on the experience of VigoLex team, the whole process of registration and obtaining a license takes about 6-7 months. The Maltese License is issued for the period of 5 years.
In Malta you must pay the annual license fee and the license compliance fee. The license fee ranges from EUR 10.000 to EUR 25.000. The Malta license compliance fee depends on its category:
- for the Type No. 1 – from EUR 15.000 to EUR 375.000;
- for the Type No. 2 – from EUR 25.000 to EUR 600.000;
- for the Type No. 3 – from EUR 25.000 to EUR 500.000;
- for the Type No. 4 – from 5.000 to EUR 500.000.
The progressive interest rate based on the gambling income level applies to the Malta license compliance fee.
The tax load in Malta is quite serious. The corporate income tax rate in Malta is 35%, but for non-residents in some cases it is possible to reduce taxes up to 5%. In addition, the gambling business is required to pay the additional fee of 5% of its incomes.
Obtaining new iGaming license sometimes can be tricky and difficult procedure. We were lucky to pass the application of MGA (Malta) license with VigoLex consultancy. Thanks to their high standards we obtained the license just in a few months.
Denis Lukovkin – CMO Innovaventis
