REGULATOR
1
Malta Gaming Authority
MGA~290 LICENCES
MGA online casino licence Malta 2026
Established. Dual-licence reference.
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and its predecessor, the LGA, have regulated gambling in Malta since 2001, and Malta remains one of Europe’s most established licensing jurisdictions. Most major UK-facing groups hold both an MGA licence and a UKGC licence, and Ireland’s new GRAI licence is set to add a third layer. This page analyses the MGA framework, dual licensing with the UKGC, key licensees and the MGA’s role as a European reference. Editorial page only, with no affiliate casino listings.
Status: REGULATED
Regulator: MGA
B2C licences: ~290
B2B suppliers: 100+
Established: 2001
Online casino gambling is regulated in Malta under MGA licensing, governed by the Gaming Act 2018, Chapter 583 of the Laws of Malta. Official source: mga.org.mt ↗
Editorial page on the MGA as a regulator and dual-licence reference. For UK players, see our UKGC analysis →. For Irish players, see our GRAI analysis →.
MGA framework explained: what an MGA licence guarantees and how it compares with the UKGC
Most major UK-facing groups hold both MGA and UKGC licences. The 2 regulators apply different but complementary protection standards to players. This editorial overview compares both frameworks based on official regulatory sources.
✓ Player protections under an MGA licence
Mandatory player fund segregation in dedicated accounts. Regular technical audits of RNG and game RTP. AML compliance under EU anti-money laundering rules. Self-exclusion tools at every licensed casino. Complaints can be escalated to the MGA’s Player Support Unit. Responsible gambling tools including deposit limits and reality checks. Recognised as a reference licence across most EU and EEA markets.
✓ Player protections under a UKGC licence
Stricter affordability checks introduced 2024-2025. GamStop self-exclusion across all UK-licensed casinos is mandatory. Strict advertising rules under the CAP Code. Independent dispute resolution through approved ADR providers such as IBAS. Compliance costs are higher than under the MGA, and the UKGC is often seen as Europe’s strictest regulator on player protection. Required for any casino serving UK residents since the point-of-consumption regime of 2014.
Official MGA register of licensees:mga.org.mt ↗
MGA timeline: from gaming hub to dual-licence reference, to
The MGA’s evolution mirrors the maturing of European igaming regulation. The UK’s point-of-consumption regime made dual licensing with the UKGC the norm in 2014. Brexit then pushed Gibraltar-based groups to move their EU-facing business to Malta.
: Lotteries and Other Games Act. Malta brings gambling under a single regulator: the Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA) is established. Source: legislation.mt ↗
: Remote Gaming Regulations. Malta adopts one of Europe’s first dedicated online gambling frameworks, the year it joins the EU. The regulations set 4 licence classes: casino-type games, fixed-odds betting, peer-to-peer games such as poker, and B2B hosting and supply. This lays the foundation for Malta’s role as a European hub.
: UK point-of-consumption regime. The Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014 requires every casino serving UK residents to hold a UKGC licence, wherever it’s based. MGA-licensed casinos lose their automatic access to UK players. From then on, UK-facing groups need both an MGA and a UKGC licence. Source: gamblingcommission.gov.uk ↗
: LGA becomes the MGA. The Lotteries and Gaming Authority is renamed the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).
: Gaming Act 2018 comes into force. The Gaming Act 2018 replaces the previous patchwork of legislation and gives the MGA stronger powers. The old licence classes give way to 2 licences, B2C and B2B, covering 4 game types. Annual fees and compliance contributions are restructured. Source: Chapter 583 of the Laws of Malta ↗
: Brexit transition ends. The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 and the transition period ended on 31 December 2020. Brexit didn’t change access to UK players: a UKGC licence had been mandatory since 2014, and gambling licences were never passported within the EU. The real impact was in Gibraltar, which left the EU with the UK. Groups such as Bet365 moved their EU-facing business to Malta to keep an EU base.
: Bill 55, controversial sovereignty law. Malta passes Bill 55, now Article 56A of the Gaming Act, shielding MGA licensees from foreign court orders over gambling that’s legal in Malta. The law sparks a European debate on extraterritorial enforcement. German courts had ruled against MGA-licensed casinos for serving German players before the German licensing regime took effect.
: Gambling Regulation Act, Ireland creates the GRAI. The Act creates the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), formally established in March 2025, giving Ireland its first dedicated gambling regulator. Licensing is being phased in, and MGA licensees serving Irish players will need a GRAI licence once online casino licensing opens. The MGA-GRAI dual-licensing pattern mirrors the UKGC model.
: The MGA as a European reference. Approximately 290 active B2C licences and 100+ B2B suppliers in early 2026. Dual licensing with the UKGC, and soon the GRAI, is standard for the largest groups. Source: MGA Annual Reports ↗
Official sources: Gaming Act 2018, Chapter 583: legislation.mt ↗ · MGA: mga.org.mt ↗ · UKGC: gamblingcommission.gov.uk ↗
Institutions and key players MGA, UKGC, GRAI and the dual-licence model
Regulator: Malta Gaming Authority ↗ROLEThe MGA is Malta’s national gaming regulator. It was founded in 2001 as the Lotteries and Gaming Authority, renamed in 2015 and given new powers by the Gaming Act 2018. It issues B2C and B2B licences covering 4 game types, Type 1 to Type 4. As of early 2026 it oversees approximately 290 active B2C licences and over 100 B2B suppliers. Malta is widely recognised as one of Europe’s most established licensing jurisdictions, and the MGA licence is often paired with the UKGC licence by UK-facing groups.
REGULATOR
2
UK Gambling Commission
UKGCUK MARKET
DUAL-LICENCEThe UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) requires any casino serving UK residents to hold a UKGC licence, wherever it’s based. Since the 2014 point-of-consumption regime, MGA licensees that want UK access must obtain a UKGC licence as well. Most large UK-facing groups hold both.
REGULATOR
3
Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland
GRAIPHASED ROLLOUT
DUAL-LICENCEThe Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) was created by the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 and formally established in March 2025, replacing Ireland’s fragmented rules. Licensing is being phased in. MGA licensees serving Irish players will need a GRAI licence once online casino licensing opens. The MGA-GRAI dual-licence pattern mirrors the MGA-UKGC model.
GROUP
4
Bet365 Group
DUAL-LICENCEUK ORIGIN
PROFILEBet365, headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent, is one of the world’s largest privately owned online gambling groups. It holds licences from the UKGC for the UK, the MGA for EU markets, Gibraltar and national regulators including Italy, Spain and Australia. It’s a reference example of a multi-jurisdictional group using the MGA as part of a wider compliance portfolio.
GROUP
5
LeoVegas, MGM Resorts
DUAL-LICENCENYSE PARENT
PROFILELeoVegas was acquired by MGM Resorts International in 2022 and runs a dual-licence model, with the UKGC for the UK and the MGA for EU markets. It’s a textbook example of a US-owned group using the MGA as its European base while complying with each national regulator separately.
GROUP
6
Entain plc
DUAL-LICENCELSE
PROFILEEntain plc is one of the largest UK-listed gambling groups, owning Ladbrokes, Coral, bwin and partypoker. It runs its UK brands under the UKGC, its European-facing brands under the MGA, and holds national licences such as Belgium A+, Italy ADM and Spain DGOJ. Cross-jurisdiction compliance through a Maltese hub is a defining feature of Entain’s European model.
CONTEXT
7
Bill 55, sovereignty law
2023EU DEBATE
CONTEXTIn 2023 Malta passed Bill 55, shielding MGA licensees from foreign court orders over gambling that’s legal in Malta. The law sparked debate at EU level over extraterritorial enforcement, particularly German court rulings against MGA-licensed casinos that had served German players before the German licensing regime took effect in 2021. It remains controversial among European regulators.
FAQ: MGA institutions and regulators
Why is the MGA considered a reference licence in Europe?
Malta adopted one of Europe’s first dedicated online gambling frameworks in 2004, the year it joined the EU. In more than 20 years, the MGA has built up regulatory expertise, technical testing infrastructure, dispute resolution and enforcement experience. Newer EU regulators have studied the Maltese model when designing their own frameworks.
How does the MGA structure its licence categories?
Under the Gaming Act 2018, the MGA issues 2 licences: a B2C Gaming Service Licence for casinos and a B2B Critical Gaming Supply Licence for suppliers. Both cover 4 game types: Type 1 for casino games, Type 2 for fixed-odds betting, Type 3 for peer-to-peer games such as poker, and Type 4 for controlled skill games. Each B2C licence carries compliance contributions calculated as a percentage of GGR.
How does the MGA handle player disputes?
MGA-licensed casinos must run an internal complaints procedure. If a complaint isn’t resolved, players can escalate it to the MGA’s Player Support Unit, which mediates between players and casinos. Resolution times vary from a few weeks to several months depending on complexity. The MGA can impose corrective measures or sanctions, including licence suspension in serious cases.
What’s Bill 55 and why was it controversial?
Bill 55, passed in 2023, protects MGA licensees from the enforcement of foreign judgments over gambling that’s legal in Malta. It followed several German court rulings against MGA-licensed casinos that had served German players before the German licensing regime took effect in 2021. Critics argue the law conflicts with EU rules on the mutual recognition of judgments. Supporters argue it protects legal Maltese gambling from extraterritorial enforcement.
Notable MGA licensees Reference dual-licence and multi-jurisdiction groups
Editorial overview of well-known groups holding MGA licences alongside other major regulators. Tap each card for details. No affiliate links.
MGA
Bet365 Group
UK ORIGINMULTI-JURISDICTION
→
MGA
LeoVegas, MGM Resorts
NYSE PARENTDUAL-LICENCE
→
MGA
Betsson Group
NASDAQ STOCKHOLMEU EXPANSION
→
MGA
Entain plc
FTSE 100MULTI-BRAND
→
MGA
Flutter Entertainment
NYSE + LSEGLOBAL LEADER
→
FAQ: notable MGA licensees
Do these groups need a GRAI licence for Ireland?
Yes, once GRAI licensing is in force. An MGA licence doesn’t carry over: the GRAI licence requires a separate application, just as the UKGC licence does for the UK. See what GRAI licensing will change for Irish players.
Regulatory comparisons MGA, UKGC, GRAI
The 3 European regulators most often combined in dual or triple licensing. Editorial comparison based on official regulatory documentation.
FAQ: comparing the MGA, UKGC and GRAI
What are the main differences between the MGA, the UKGC and the GRAI?
MGA: founded 2001 as the LGA, MGA since 2015, ~290 B2C licences, EU-wide recognition, Type 1-4 games, compliance contributions of 0.4-1.25% of GGR. UKGC: fully operational since 2007, point-of-consumption since 2014, strict affordability checks, GamStop self-exclusion mandatory. GRAI: created by the 2024 Act, established 2025, licensing phased in, modern framework drawing on UKGC and MGA experience.
General FAQ MGA Malta licensing 2026
What’s the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)?
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is the national regulator for all gambling offered from Malta. It was founded in 2001 as the Lotteries and Gaming Authority, renamed in 2015 and reshaped in 2018 under the Gaming Act, Chapter 583 of the Laws of Malta. It licenses online casinos, sportsbooks, lotteries and B2B suppliers. The MGA is one of the most established igaming regulators in Europe, often paired with the UKGC by major groups.
Why do major groups hold both MGA and UKGC licences?
Since 2014, any casino serving UK residents must hold a UKGC licence, wherever it’s based. Many of these groups built their European hub in Malta and keep the MGA licence to serve other EU and EEA markets. Bet365, LeoVegas, Betsson and Entain are examples of dual MGA-UKGC groups. Holding both became the standard for groups with UK and European ambitions. See which casinos hold a UKGC licence.
Is an MGA licence valid in the UK or Ireland?
No. Since 2014 the UK requires a UKGC point-of-consumption licence for any casino serving UK residents. Ireland is moving to GRAI licensing, phased in under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. Once it’s in force, an MGA licence alone won’t be enough for Ireland either: the local licence is needed as well.
What protections does an MGA licence provide for players?
MGA licensees must segregate player funds, undergo regular technical audits, comply with EU anti-money laundering rules, implement self-exclusion mechanisms and offer dispute resolution through the MGA’s Player Support Unit. The standards are aligned with EU directives and recognised across most European member states.
How did Brexit change the MGA-UKGC relationship?
Very little. A UKGC licence had been mandatory for any casino serving UK residents since 2014, and gambling licences were never passported within the EU. Brexit mattered more for Gibraltar, which left the EU with the UK: several Gibraltar-based groups moved their EU-facing business to Malta to keep an EU base. Most large UK-facing groups hold an MGA licence alongside the British one, which is the dual-licence pattern described above.
What’s the difference between MGA and GRAI for Irish players?
The MGA is Malta’s regulator. The GRAI is Ireland’s new gambling regulator, created by the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, with licensing being phased in. For Irish players, the GRAI will be the local regulator: once online casino licensing opens, casinos serving Ireland will need its licence, whatever licence they hold in Malta. See which licences casinos serving Ireland hold.
How many companies hold an MGA licence?
The MGA has approximately 290 B2C licensees and over 100 B2B suppliers on its register as of early 2026. The exact figure fluctuates as licences are granted, suspended or surrendered. The MGA publishes the active register on its official website mga.org.mt.
What’s the MGA licensing fee structure?
MGA fees include an annual licence fee of €25,000 for a B2C licence and compliance contributions calculated as a percentage of gaming revenue. Rates vary by game type. For Type 1 casino games, compliance contributions range between 0.4 and 1.25% of GGR depending on revenue tiers.
Does the MGA enforce responsible gambling standards?
Yes. MGA licensees must implement responsible gambling tools including deposit limits, time-out functions, self-exclusion options, and reality-check notifications. The MGA collaborates with the Responsible Gaming Foundation (RGF) and aligns with EU recommendations on player protection. Standards are enforced through regular audits and sanctions for non-compliance.
Is Gibraltar an alternative to the MGA for European groups?
Gibraltar is another established licensing jurisdiction, historically favoured by UK-focused groups including Bet365. Gibraltar left the EU with the UK, which made Malta more attractive for EU-facing business. Some groups hold both Gibraltar and MGA licences alongside the UKGC, particularly those with a long UK heritage.
What happens if an MGA-licensed casino fails?
MGA rules require segregation of player funds in dedicated accounts. If a casino becomes insolvent, segregated funds are returned to players. The MGA’s Player Support Unit handles claims. While protections are strong on paper, recovery times in past cases have ranged from weeks to several months depending on case complexity. Compare with the UKGC’s player fund protections.
How does the MGA compare with the UKGC?
The UKGC is generally considered stricter on advertising, affordability checks and casino conduct, while the MGA is valued for its regulatory rigour and EU-wide recognition. Any casino serving British players must hold a UKGC licence, while groups expanding into other EU markets often add an MGA licence. Most groups see the 2 licences as complementary rather than interchangeable.
Official sources cited in this analysis
Malta legislation: Gaming Act 2018, Chapter 583. legislation.mt ↗ · Malta Gaming Authority: licence register, annual reports. mga.org.mt ↗ · UK Gambling Commission: licensing requirements. gamblingcommission.gov.uk ↗