🇲🇹Malta gambling regulation

Legal framework at a glance

Malta is an EU member state, but in gambling terms it functions mainly as a licensing hub. The Gaming Act 2018 (Chapter 583 of the Laws of Malta) replaced a patchwork of older laws with a single framework covering land-based and online gambling, B2C and B2B. Hundreds of companies hold MGA licences, and most of their customers are outside Malta. The domestic market, including casinos, gaming parlours and the national lottery, is regulated under the same Act.

The regulator

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) licenses and supervises operators, enforces anti-money-laundering obligations jointly with the financial intelligence unit, handles player complaints against licensees and publishes directives on player protection and commercial communications. In 2025 it ran a mystery-shopper review of self-exclusion at 20 licensees and required rectification plans where controls fell short.

Licensing

The 2018 framework uses two main licence types: a B2C gaming service licence and a B2B critical gaming supply licence. Games are classified by type:

Type	Games
Type 1	Casino-type games of chance against the house (slots, roulette, blackjack)
Type 2	Fixed-odds betting
Type 3	Peer-to-peer games such as poker and betting exchanges
Type 4	Controlled skill games

Licences are valid for ten years, subject to ongoing compliance. For how this compares with other hubs, see gambling licensing models and B2B supplier licensing.

Online products — what is and isn’t legal

For Maltese residents, online casino, betting and poker are legal through MGA licensees. The national lottery is offered under an exclusive licence. Gambling with unlicensed operators is not legal, and the MGA publishes warnings about unauthorised sites and clones that misuse its name.

Bill 55 and the EU dispute

In 2023 Malta passed Bill 55, adding Article 56A to the Gaming Act. It allows Maltese courts to refuse recognition of foreign judgments against MGA licensees where the judgment conflicts with Maltese public policy, such as player refund claims in countries where the operator lacked a local licence. The provision has been heavily criticised:

• In June 2025 the European Commission opened infringement proceedings against Malta, arguing the public-policy exception is applied far more broadly than EU law allows.
• On 16 April 2026 the Court of Justice of the EU ruled in Case C-440/23 that member states may prohibit online gambling licensed in another member state and that players can bring restitution claims under national law.
• On 23 April 2026 an Advocate General’s non-binding opinion in Case C-683/24 described Article 56A as manifestly incompatible with the Brussels I bis Regulation.

As of October 2026 the infringement case remains open. See EU gambling law and the single market.

Taxation

From 1 October 2026 the Gaming Tax (Amendment) Regulations 2026 replaced the single 5% gaming tax with differentiated rates on aggregate gaming revenue from players established or usually resident in Malta: 15% for Type 1 games, 10% for Types 2 to 4, and 5% for activity in controlled gaming premises. The device levy was abolished and a fixed studio levy introduced. Revenue from foreign players is not subject to the gaming tax, although licence fees and corporate tax apply. Related VAT changes for gambling took effect on the same date. See gambling taxation compared.

Advertising and marketing rules

The MGA’s commercial communications rules require advertising to be socially responsible, not aimed at minors or vulnerable people, and not misleading about the chances of winning. Bonus terms must be clear. Operators targeting other countries must also comply with those countries’ advertising laws.

Player-protection requirements

The Player Protection Directive requires licensees to offer deposit and other limits, reality checks, self-exclusion and account information, to verify age and identity, and to act on signs of harm. Exclusions linked to harm should apply across all brands under one licence. Player funds must be safeguarded.

Self-exclusion

Online exclusion is per operator; land-based self-barring runs from six months. See our Malta self-exclusion manual.

What this means for players

Most people who use MGA-licensed sites do not live in Malta, so the key question is whether the operator is also licensed where you live. A genuine MGA licence means the company is supervised, holds player funds under rules and must offer responsible-gambling tools. It does not mean the site is legal in your country, and the April 2026 Court of Justice ruling confirmed that member states may restrict gambling licensed elsewhere. Practical points:

• Check the licence: use the MGA’s public register to confirm the licence number and the domains it covers, as some sites display fake seals. Our guide on how to check if a gambling site is licensed explains the steps.
• Complaints: complain to the operator first, then to the alternative dispute resolution body named in its terms, and finally to the MGA’s player support unit.
• Self-exclusion: exclusion is per operator online, so list every account and use your home country’s national register where one exists.
• Residents: people living in Malta can self-bar from land-based venues for six months or more, with the MGA’s help.

If you live in a country with a national exclusion scheme, register there as well. A national register reaches every operator licensed in your market, while an MGA licensee’s own self-exclusion reaches only that company.

Recent developments and what to watch

• EU proceedings on Article 56A and the follow-up to the April 2026 CJEU ruling.
• New tax regime in force from October 2026.
• Supervision: follow-up on the 2025 self-exclusion review.

For local support, see our Malta help directory. This page is general information, not legal advice.