Malta Gaming Authority | Online Casino & Sports Betting Regulator
The Malta Gaming Authority is one of the European regulators that licenses online casinos. There are many laws and regulations concerning the operation of an online casino or supplying casino software.
You can find out more about MGA casinos in this article, and learn about:
- The regulator MGA
- Player protection
- Responsible gaming
- Filing a complaint
Top casinos licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) in 2024
We've selected some of the best casinos licensed by the MGA here. You can find detailed review for each casino, covering payments, bonuses and terms in detail.
♠ Bonuses with low wagering requirements ♠ many loyalty rewards ♠ Games on Desktop: 4350 | Mobile: 4350 ♠ USD accepted: ✗ ♠ English Website: ✓ ♠ Casino, Live Casino |
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100% up to €500 + 200 Free Spins ▼ More Details ▼ Valid on first deposit. Bonus wagerin: 25x. Free spins: 25/day over 8 days.18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply. |
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♠ Fantastic bonus with low wagering ♠ very large game variety ♠ Games on Desktop: 4350 | Mobile: 4350 ♠ USD accepted: ✗ ♠ English Website: ✓ ♠ Slots, Jackpot games, Table games, Live casino |
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100% up to €300 + 100 Free Spins ▼ More Details ▼ Valid on first deposit. Bonus must be wagered 35x. Free spins: 10 per day over 10 days.18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply. |
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♠ Bonuses with low wagering requirements ♠ fast payment processing ♠ Games on Desktop: 4350 | Mobile: 4350 ♠ USD accepted: ✗ ♠ English Website: ✓ ♠ Slots, Live Casino, Jackpots, Table Games |
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20 No Deposit Free Spins After Registration, 1st Deposit: 100% up to €300 + 100 Free Spins ▼ More Details ▼ Valid on first deposit. Bonus wagering 35x. Free spins: 10/day over 10 days.18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply. |
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♠ Withdrawals are processed fast ♠ Many weekly promotions ♠ Outstanding game selection ♠ Games on Desktop: 2500 | Mobile: 2000 ♠ USD accepted: ✓ ♠ English Website: ✓ ♠ Slots, Jackpot Games, Live Casino, Sportsbook |
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(T&Cs apply)100% up to $/€100 + 200 Extra spins casino bonus (Varies for different countries) or 2x €10 Free Sports Bets + 100 Extra spins casino bonus or 100% up to $/€100 live casino bonus ▼ More Details ▼ 18+. New players only. Valid on 1st deposit. Only one Welcome bonus from either Casino, Sports or LIVE Casino can be claimed on deposit AND wager. Deposit bonuses differ per offer and are a 100% match bonus up to €100. Minimum deposit matched: €20. Free Spin winnings are bonus money. Deposit and bonus money subject to wagering requirements. Bonus validity differs per offer. Play responsibly. gamblingtherapy.org. Full T&Cs apply.18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply. |
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♠ interesting bonuses and promotions ♠ established and trusted operator ♠ Games on Desktop: 3500 | Mobile: 3300 ♠ USD accepted: ✓ ♠ English Website: ✓ ♠ Casino, Live Casino, Sportsbook, Bingo Rooms |
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(T&Cs apply)Up to €400 for 4 deposits. ▼ More Details ▼ Deposit amount: €10 - €24: €10 reward Deposit amount: €25- €49: €25 reward Deposit amount: €50 - €99: €50 reward Deposit amount: €100+: €100 reward Wagering the deposit amount 20x credits the bonus to the real-money balance. 18+. T&Cs apply. Play Responsibly. LeoSafePlay.com 18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply. |
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♠ Payments are usually processed within 24 hours ♠ 24/7 support ♠ Games from many developers ♠ Games on Desktop: 1200 | Mobile: 1000 ♠ USD accepted: ✓ ♠ English Website: ✓ ♠ Casino, Live Casino, slots, Jackpots |
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(T&Cs apply)Up to €1000 + 100 free spins over 4 deposits (or other currency equivalents) ▼ More Details ▼ 1st deposit: 100% up to €200 + 25 free spins 2nd deposit: 50% up to €200 + 25 free spins 3rd deposit 50% up to €300 + 25 free spins 4th deposit: 25% up to €300 + 25 free spins 18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply. |
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♠ many promotions for casino and sportsbook ♠ Telephone support is available ♠ large game selection ♠ Games on Desktop: 2500 | Mobile: 2300 ♠ USD accepted: ✓ ♠ English Website: ✓ ♠ Slots, jackpot slots, live Casino, sports betting, table games |
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(T&Cs apply)Up to €/$400 over 2 deposits▼ More Details ▼ 1st deposit: 100% up to €/$200 2nd deposit: 50% up to €/$200 18+. Opt-in required for welcome and reload bonus respectively, before making the deposits. Bonus valid 30 days. Wagering 1st bonus 25x deposit+bonus; 2nd bonus 30x deposit+bonus on eligible slots. Max bet €5. T&Cs apply.18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply. |
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♠ Bonuses have low wagering requirements and good terms ♠ interesting loyalty and VIP program ♠ Games on Desktop: 4350 | Mobile: 4350 ♠ USD accepted: ✗ ♠ English Website: ✓ ♠ Slots, Live Casino, Jackpots slots, Table Games |
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100% up to €200 + 100 free spins ▼ More Details ▼ *New Players only, 18+, Valid on first deposit, Bonus wagering 35x, Free spins are credited 10 spins/day over 10 days. T&Cs apply18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply. |
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♠ easy access and fully responsive website ♠ payments are processed fast and reliable ♠ many interesting games ♠ Games on Desktop: 2000 | Mobile: 1800 ♠ USD accepted: ✗ ♠ English Website: ✓ ♠ Casino, Live Casino |
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(T&Cs apply)100% bonus up to £/$/€ 123 ▼ More Details ▼ *New Players only, 18+, Min. deposit: €/$10, Wagering 50x Bonus, Max bet with Bonus €/$5, Skrill/Neteller excluded, no max cash out on deposit offers, T&Cs apply18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply. |
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♠ 10% Cashback on all lost deposits ♠ 24/7 Customer Support ♠ Games on Desktop: 2000 | Mobile: 1500 ♠ USD accepted: ✗ ♠ English Website: ✓ ♠ Casino, Live Casino, Slots, table games, Slingo |
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(T&Cs apply)no welcome bonus available, 10% Cashback instead ▼ More Details ▼ *18+, all players, 10% lifetime cashback on losses within a day when balance drops to zero or below £10, Cashback is credited the following day and can be cashed out or played, cashback is valid for 10 days, T&Cs apply18+ | Please play responsibly | Operator's T&C apply. |
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*Bonus T&Cs apply! Accuracy not guaranteed, terms can change any time.
Table of contents:
- About the MGA↷
- How to find a trusted MGA-licensed casinos↷
- Advantages and disadvantages of the Malta casino license↷
- Anti-money-laundering and fraud prevention↷
- Player fund protection↷
- Confirming the license status of an online casino↷
- Filing a complaint↷
- Contact details of the MGA↷
- Malta Gaming Authority FAQ↷
About the MGA
The MGA was formally known as the Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA), which was established in 2001.
Applicants for gambling licenses in Malta have several types of licenses available for different products:
- Land-based casinos
- Sports betting
- Fantasy sports
- Lottery type games
- Online gaming services, including B2B (Business-to-Business) and B2C (Business-to-Customer) services
Although the regulator is not as strict as the UK Gambling Commission, they do have much stricter laws than for example Curacao eGaming.
Not every company can obtain a license from Malta, there are regulations and requirements that need to be met before a license is granted.
Operators who don't comply with regulations or fail to provide a safe gaming environment for their players, including paying out legitimate winnings, will have their licenses revoked.
How to find a trusted MGA-licensed casinos
There are hundreds of casinos with a Malta license available, and they are not all the same. This is why we've compiled this short guide that can help you make an informed decision when looking for a great casino with Malta license.
1. Check out our recommended Curaçao casinos. A recommendation is a good start, and we only recommend casinos that we and many other players trust.
2. Verify the online casino's license by clicking on the license seal found at the bottom of the website.
3. Take a look at the casino bonus and the bonus terms. Are they fair? Do they have low wagering requirements?
4. When using the casino on your mobile, try out the games and navigate the website to make sure it works properly on your device.
5. Make sure they accept a convenient payment option for you. Also, read the payment terms, including if they charge fees or apply withdrawal limits.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Malta casino license
- Provisions for responsible gaming measures and limits
- Extensive regulations for fraud prevention and player fund protection
- Regular auditing of license holders
- Players from many countries are covered
- Complaints are investigated
- Lax or slow enforcement of regulations
- Casinos are allowed to apply withdrawal limits
- Lax criteria for operators to obtain a license
Anti-money-laundering and fraud prevention
One of the requirements of Malta-based online casinos is the requirement to verify the player's identity with the operator. They will ask the players to send in their identity documents at some point, usually after the deposit or before the withdrawal. The aim of this is to prevent fraud and money-laundering.
To complete KYC the following documents are usually required:
- Proof of identity, such as a valid ID card or passport
- Proof of address, such as a recent utility bill or bank statement
- Proof of payment ownership, such as proof of credit card or e-wallet ownership
While the verification of documents may be a nuisance to players, it helps to prevent corruption and fraud. It makes playing at the online casino much safer for all players.
The regulator also has requirements to protect vulnerable persons and minors to prevent and limit compulsive gambling. Underage players are not permitted to deposit and to gamble at Malta-licensed online casinos.
Player fund protection
Player fund protection is another key aspect of the regulations and online gambling laws of the MGA. They require that player funds must be kept in a separate account from company funds.
The companies are not allowed to use player funds for their day-to-day business operation. Although there is no complete protection against fund misuse, operators are audited for compliance at regular intervals. If they are found in breach of the regulations, they are either fined or they risk losing their license or having it suspended.
Confirming the license status of an online casino
You can check the status of a licensee of the MGA on the website. The licensee register ↱ will always give you up-to-date information about the status of a license. You can search all licensed operators by URL, license type, license status or name.
You can also look at the enforcement register ↱ and see actions taken against gaming operators. License cancellations or suspensions would appear here.
Filing a complaint
Is the casino operator not paying out your winnings, but you think they should? The first course of action to resolve any issue with an online casino operator is to contact the support. You need to try to sort out the issue with them first. In many cases, players are simply trying to withdraw bonus money, and the casino will reject this type of withdrawal request. Remember that you have to fulfil wagering requirements first.
However, in some cases players have legitimate claims for winnings, and the casino refuses to pay them with an excuse. If the casino won't budge and not provide you with a valid explanation about why they're refusing to pay out your winnings, you can file a complaint with the Malta Gaming Authority.
You can fill out this form at the MGA and file your complaint ↱ about the casino. In any case, we recommend attaching evidence to support your claim, such as:
- Your game history
- Proof of deposit
- Correspondence with the support
Contact details of the MGA
Website: mga.org.mt ↱
General e-mail (not for complaints): info.mga@mga.org.mt
Malta Gaming Authority
Building SCM 02-03, Level 4
SmartCity Malta
Ricasoli SCM1001
Malta
Tel: +356 2546 9000
Malta Gaming Authority FAQ
The Maltese regulatory body is among the stricter regulators in Europe, but not the strictest. A casino licensed in Malta has to follow regulations for player protection, with an emphasis on player fund protection. This includes that player funds needs to be kept in separate accounts than the casino's operating capital.
Casinos need to verify their player's identity. Most do this whenever a player deposits or before they withdraw, but at the latest when the cumulative withdrawals are more than €2,300. This verification aims to prevent money laundering, and financing of terrorism. Casino operators are also regularly audited for compliance.
Even though a casino licensed in Malta is regarded a safe casino, there have been rogue operators in the past. They didn't adhere to the regulations and withheld legitimate player withdrawals without a reason.
There are many established online casinos with a good reputation, but no one is safe from new companies that turn into rogue operators. The best thing to avoid this is to check the reputation of the casino, and to take a look at their bonus and payment policies.
Before filing a complaint with the regulator, you need to try to sort out the issue with the operator. Usually these issues concern withheld payments. The regulator won't act as an intermediary, and they cannot order the casino to pay you back, as they won't handle individual complaints.
However, they can investigate the business practices of the casino further, especially when more than one player complains. Operators who withhold funds without valid reason, or violate other regulations can be fined or have their license revoked or suspended.
You can file a complaint on the website of the Malta Gambling Authority and give them supporting evidence of your claim. This can include email conversation or other screen prints or scans of supporting documentation.
You can perform a live search of each casino, gaming operator and other supplier licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority on their website. You can also check license links directly in the casino review at CasinoDaemon. You can see the live status of the license, and also if they've had previous enforcements in the enforcement register.