The Malta (MGA) gaming licence in 2026
The most demanding licence in this comparison and the most widely recognised — how the Malta Gaming Authority licenses operators, what it costs and what it requires. Checked on 27 September 2026.
What is an MGA licence?
A gaming licence issued by the Malta Gaming Authority under Malta's Gaming Act. B2C licences are split by game type — Type 1 for casino-style games, Type 2 for fixed-odds betting, Type 3 for peer-to-peer games such as poker, and Type 4 for controlled skill games — and B2B licences cover suppliers.
Applications go through the MGA's licensee hub, and every licensee appears in its public register. Malta is an EU member state, which is a large part of why an MGA licence is the one many studios, payment providers and regulated markets recognise most readily.
How much does an MGA licence cost?
€5,000 to apply, a fixed €25,000 a year for a B2C licence, and a compliance contribution calculated on gaming revenue — from a minimum of €15,000 for Type 1 to a maximum of €600,000 for Type 2. Gaming tax is 5% of revenue from players in Malta only. These are only the regulator's charges — the full cost is set out below.
The rules are the Gaming Licence Fees Regulations; the figures above are as summarised by CSB Group and Gonzi & Associates, which agree. Both note that minimum contributions do not apply to new licensees until the first financial year-end.
Unlike Curaçao and Anjouan, Malta charges more as the casino grows: the compliance contribution scales with revenue, and a casino with Maltese players also pays gaming tax on them. For a small first launch that makes Malta the most expensive option; for a large regulated operation it is the price of the most recognised licence.
| Type | Games | Rate on revenue | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Casino-style games | 1.25% on the first €3m, falling to 0.40% | €15,000 | €375,000 |
| Type 2 | Fixed-odds betting | 4.00% on the first €3m, falling to 0.40% | €25,000 | €600,000 |
| Type 3 | Peer-to-peer games | 4.00% on the first €2m, falling to 0.40% | €25,000 | €500,000 |
| Type 4 | Controlled skill games | 0.50% on the first €2m, rising to 2.00% | €5,000 | €500,000 |
What does an MGA operation really cost?
Far more than the fees. The regulator's charges are the smaller part; the rest is a funded Maltese company, people in Malta, audits and advisers. Estimates of the first year run from €80,000+ for a lean licence to the low-to-mid six figures, and around €1 million once the whole business is counted.
The totals depend on who is counting what. One adviser puts a realistic all-in budget at €80,000+ (source); another says to budget a B2C launch "in the low-to-mid six figures for year one, plus the funded share capital" (source). SoftSwiss plans "from EUR 1 million" for setup and the first year of the whole business — licence, software, marketing, bonuses, salaries and bankroll (source).
That last figure is where the familiar "a Malta licence costs a million" comes from. The licence fee has never been the million; running a regulated EU operation for a year, with its people and its checks, can be. Compare that with Anjouan or Curaçao, where there is no share capital to fund and, until 2027 in Curaçao's case, no staff to keep on the island.
- Regulator
- About €40,000–50,000 a year at minimum for a small B2C casino: €25,000 fixed plus the minimum compliance contribution, rising with revenue, plus 5% on Maltese players.
- Share capital
- €40,000–240,000 by licence type, paid into the company rather than spent (source).
- People in Malta
- Key function holders approved by the MGA, including compliance and anti-money-laundering. An MLRO alone is quoted at €55,000–65,000 gross a year (source).
- Audits and advisers
- The system audit before going live and again periodically, certified games, lawyers, accountants and regulatory reporting.
What does an MGA licence require?
A Maltese company as the licensee with share capital set by licence type, key function holders approved by the MGA including compliance and anti-money-laundering roles, real presence in Malta, a business plan, source of funds, and a system audit of the gaming platform before going live.
Advisers quote minimum share capital of €40,000 to €240,000 depending on the B2C licence type (source). The system audit is repeated periodically, and certified games and random number generators are expected.
This is where Malta differs most from offshore licences: much of the cost is not the fee but the organisation — people in Malta, audits, reporting and the controls an EU regulator expects to see working.
How long does an MGA licence take, and how long does it last?
Typically four to six months for a well-prepared application, and the licence is granted for ten years.
The range and term are as quoted by a licensing adviser; the MGA sets out the stages — fitness and propriety, business plan, operational and system review, go-live — in its application guidance. Renewal carries a €5,000 fee, per the fee regulations as summarised by Gonzi & Associates.
Where can an MGA licence be used?
It is the most widely recognised of the four, but it still does not authorise serving a market that requires its own licence — the UK, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Germany and others each license operators locally.
An MGA licence opens more doors with payment providers and studios than any offshore licence, and it is often a precondition for applying in other regulated markets. It is not a passport: each market that regulates online gambling decides who may serve its players. The regimes of the UK, Germany and Italy are set out on their own pages.
How does an MGA licence fit a WW Games launch?
The licence is yours; WW Games supplies the platform. Licensing is the operator's responsibility and depends on the markets served. WW Games does not hold or sublicense a gambling licence, and can put you in touch with licensing providers.
One caveat to raise early: an MGA licence requires certified systems and periodic system audits, and WW Games holds no third-party certifications today — see what we do not claim on security. For an MGA operation, a certified platform such as SoftSwiss or EveryMatrix may be the better fit; the white label providers page sets them side by side.
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MGA licence questions
How much does an MGA gaming licence cost?
€5,000 to apply, €25,000 a year for a B2C licence and a compliance contribution based on revenue, from €15,000 to €600,000 depending on licence type. Gaming tax is 5% of revenue from players in Malta.
Why is an MGA licence said to cost a million?
Because that is roughly what a regulated operation costs in its first year, not the licence. Regulator fees start around €40,000–50,000 a year; share capital, people in Malta, audits and advisers take a lean first year to €80,000+ or six figures, and SoftSwiss plans from €1 million for the whole business.
Is the 5% Malta gaming tax charged on all revenue?
No. It applies to gaming revenue from players established or usually resident in Malta.
How long does it take to get an MGA licence?
Typically four to six months for a well-prepared application. The licence is granted for ten years.
Does an MGA licence let me operate in the UK or Spain?
No. Markets such as the UK, Spain, Italy and Sweden require their own licence regardless of an MGA licence.
Does WW Games provide an MGA licence?
No. Licensing is the operator's responsibility. WW Games does not hold or sublicense a gambling licence, and holds no third-party certifications that an MGA system audit typically expects.
Talk through the licence before the platform
Tell us your markets; we will say plainly whether WW Games fits the licence you need, and introduce you to licensing providers.