Malta · MGA · B2C licence
Malta MGA B2C Gaming Licence — 2026 Application Guide
The Malta Gaming Authority licence is the benchmark every other tier-1 regulator is compared to. The B2C Gaming Service Licence covers four game types on one framework — but the MGA expects real substance, and letterbox set-ups are rejected at first review. Here's the realistic path.
A Malta MGA B2C licence is the Gaming Service Licence issued by the Malta Gaming Authority under the Gaming Act 2018, authorising an operator to offer Type 1 (casino), Type 2 (sports betting), Type 3 (poker/peer-to-peer) or Type 4 (skill games) gambling to players, subject to Maltese substance and ongoing supervision.
Quick facts
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) |
| Licence | B2C Gaming Service Licence (Gaming Act 2018) |
| Game types | Type 1 casino, Type 2 betting, Type 3 poker, Type 4 skill |
| Application | EUR 5,000 + EUR 25,000-50,000 due diligence/consultancy |
| Annual | EUR 25,000-35,000 per Type + 5% GGR compliance contribution |
| Timeline | 6-12 months; 90-day temporary period for go-live |
The benchmark EU licence
Malta has been the template for European online-gambling licensing since 2001, and the MGA — established 2004 — regulates one of the world’s largest concentrations of operators. The B2C Gaming Service Licence is the gold standard: the name that clears bank and processor due diligence without a second look.
The four game types
The B2C licence consolidates the offering into four types on one framework: Type 1 (casino games on RNGs), Type 2 (sports betting against the house), Type 3 (peer-to-peer poker and exchange betting) and Type 4 (controlled skill games). You licence the types your product needs and run them on one stack.
Substance the MGA expects
This is where applications succeed or fail. The MGA wants a registered Maltese office, key persons resident in Malta or the EU with documented working presence, and hosting in an approved facility. Letterbox arrangements get rejected at first review. The bar is real — and it’s what gives the licence its weight.
Cost and timeline
Budget EUR 250,000-500,000 all-in for year one, covering the application, due diligence, company set-up, systems audit and local substance — plus the 5% compliance contribution on GGR. The realistic timeline is 6-12 months, with a 90-day temporary licence window to finish technical go-live. Specialist Maltese counsel shortens it.
Pitfalls and nuances
1 Treating substance as a formality
The MGA tests real presence. Named, fit-and-proper key persons and documented operations are non-negotiable — and the supervisory relationship runs for the life of the licence.
2 Forgetting the 5% compliance contribution
The annual licence fee isn't the whole bill. A 5% compliance contribution on gross gaming revenue applies on top, so model it into your unit economics.
Frequently asked questions
What does an MGA B2C licence cover?
One framework, four game types: Type 1 casino, Type 2 sports betting, Type 3 poker and peer-to-peer, Type 4 controlled skill games. You licence the types your product needs.
How much does an MGA licence cost?
Plan EUR 250,000-500,000 all-in for year one — application, due diligence, Maltese company, systems audit and local substance — plus the 5% compliance contribution on GGR.
How long does MGA licensing take?
Typically 6-12 months end-to-end, with a 90-day temporary licence window to complete technical go-live once the MGA is satisfied.
What substance does the MGA require?
A registered Maltese office, key persons resident in Malta or the EU with documented presence, and MGA-approved hosting. Letterbox arrangements are rejected at first review.
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- Malta Gaming Authority — regulator
- Gaming Act 2018 (Chapter 583, Laws of Malta) — regulation