Malta (MGA) Casinos

What the MGA licence actually is

Since Malta’s 2018 reform, the framework is built around two permits: a B2C “Gaming Service” licence for operators dealing with players, and a B2B “Critical Gaming Supply” licence for suppliers of platforms, games, and key infrastructure. Successful applicants go through a standardised certification flow and receive a licence with a defined term.

This split makes responsibilities clear across the chain: B2C brands handle player-facing obligations, while B2B suppliers are accountable for the tech stack they provide. For reviewers and affiliates, it makes due diligence simpler and more consistent.

How games are classified (Types 1–4)

Products are grouped into four Types that drive technical and compliance expectations: Type 1 covers RNG casino against the house (roulette, blackjack, baccarat, virtual sports, etc.), Type 2 is fixed-odds betting, Type 3 covers peer-to-peer models (poker, bingo, pool betting), and Type 4 is for controlled skill games.

If you’re mapping a portfolio, this framework shows exactly which rulesets and reports apply to each vertical, and helps identify which suppliers are allowed to power which games.

Player money protection—non-negotiable

MGA requires segregation of player funds from company operating cash. Balances must remain separately identifiable and be held with licensed credit/financial/payment institutions, often accompanied by declarations from those institutions.

These controls are designed for timely withdrawals and for safeguarding balances if a business hits turbulence—one of the key reasons players and partners value the badge.

Dispute handling you can actually use

Before going live, every MGA B2C operator must engage an independent ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) entity for escalated complaints. The ADR process is formalised in MGA rules and supported by regular reporting.

In practice this gives players a reliable path beyond frontline support; for reviewers, it’s a clear signal that complaints won’t vanish into a queue without independent oversight.

Compliance, audits, and the dynamic seal

Licensees are expected to display the MGA Dynamic Seal and key player-support information prominently. The public Licensee Register lets you verify brand name, status, approved URLs, and permitted services in seconds.

For fact-checking, this transparency is gold: it makes it easy to spot expired claims, cloned brands, or unapproved domains.

Why B2B licensing matters for games and platforms

Under MGA, suppliers typically hold a B2B Critical Gaming Supply licence. That brings RNGs, remote game servers, and back-office tooling into scope for governance and audits—not just the casino brand you see on the surface.

For slot and provider reviews, this extra layer of oversight strengthens confidence in integrations, game fairness, and change control.

AML/CFT expectations

MGA applies a risk-based approach to anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist-financing. Operators are expected to run proportionate KYC, transaction monitoring, and product/market-aligned risk assessments.

Enforcement is real: failures can trigger corrective actions, penalties, or licence consequences—another reason many players and affiliates prefer MGA-regulated brands.

Bottom line for readers

An MGA badge isn’t just branding. It signals structured product classification, segregated player money, independent dispute escalation, visible seals you can click to verify, and a transparent register you can search in seconds.

When you see “Licensed by the MGA,” do two quick checks: click the Dynamic Seal in the footer and cross-check the brand in the Licensee Register. If both validate, you’re looking at a regulated entity under one of Europe’s most established frameworks.