The launch of the new Gaming Act simplifies the Malta Gaming Licence. The new Malta Gaming Act provides for only 2 types of licences: Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Customer (B2C). CSB Group assists clients in obtaining a Malta Online Gaming Licence and provides support throughout the whole gaming licence application process. Our gaming tax advisors can guide you on the Malta's Administrative and Compliance dues as well as the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) Gaming Licence Fees. Malta The Maltese license is the most expensive both at the application stage and in terms of ongoing maintenance. There are fees every 12 months and depending on what games you offer, there may be additional taxes. License holders also have to pay a compliance contribution that can reach EUR 600,000 depending on how much revenue the entity makes. Malta is an island country in Europe that grants online casino licenses with low taxes. Here is the secret of the popularity of Malta among the owners of gambling clubs: it has excellent tax legislation, loyal conditions, and a whole ocean of prospects. Malta has been issuing online casino licenses since 2000 and is a pioneer in this field.
So you are looking for a Maltese gambling license. This document goes over the costs and processes in order to obtain the license.
NOTICE
Malta is not the cheapest jurisdiction to obtain a casino license in, if you are looking for a more affordable license then we suggest taking a look at a Curacao gambling license which is better suited to tighter budgets.
Why Malta?
Malta is part of the European Union which makes it a very attractive jurisdiction to obtain a gambling license in. It comes with tax incentives and an expert work force.
What this document covers
This document covers the end to end application process with the Malta Gaming Authority ('MGA') as well as an overview of the related prices for the setup and the maintenance of a gambling company in Malta.
- Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) license types
- Malta gambling license application process
- Malta Gaming Authority fees
- Gaming Tax as Applicable by the MGA
- Share Capital Requirements
- Administration services
- Key official Services
- On-going operation
- Financial Audit
- How long does it take to get the Malta gambling license
- How do I find out if a casino is licensed in Malta?
Malta Gaming Authority license types
The Malta Gaming Authority offers four types of remote gaming licenses:
- Class 1 – a remote gaming licence (examples of Class 1 licences would include casino-type games and online lotteries) whereby operators manage their own risk on repetitive games. It is also possible to have a Class 1 on 4 licence whereby the Class 1 licensee operates its games on the software and in certain cases through the equipment of a Class 4 licensee;
- Class 2 – a remote betting licence (an example of a Class 2 licence would include fixed-odds betting) whereby operators manage their own risk on events based on a matchbook. It is possible to have a Class 2 on 4 licence whereby the Class 2 licensee operates its games on the software and in certain cases through the equipment of a Class 4 licensee;
- Class 3 – a licence to promote and/or abet remote gaming in or from Malta (an example of a Class 3 licence would include poker rooms and peer-to-peer (P2P) gaming). It is also possible to have a Class 3 on 4 licence whereby the Class 3 licensee operates its games on the software and in certain cases through the equipment of a Class 4 licensee;
- Class 4 – a licence to host and manage remote gaming operators, excluding the licensee itself, whereby software vendors provide management and hosting facilities on their platform. In essence this is a business to business (B2B) gaming licence.
Malta gambling license application process
In order to prevent any unnecessary delays in the process, our clients will undergo a pre-application process together with the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). This will ensure the quality of the application and will be followed by the actual application process that consists of a number of steps:
- 1) The MGA will conduct a fit and proper exercise by assessing all information related to those involved in financing and management and on the business viability of the operation. In addition the MGA conducts integrity investigations with national and international regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies.
- 2) The MGA conducts an in depth financial analysis of the applicant's business plan. It is expected to include a detailed forecast of the operation together with details pertaining to marketing and distribution strategies, HR planning, and growth targets.
- 3) Operational and Statutory – The applicant is examined on the instruments required to conduct the business. This process includes examining the Company's incorporation documents, the games, the business processes related to conducting the remote games, the rules, terms, conditions, and procedures of the games, the application architecture, and the system architecture.
- 4) The MGA will inform the applicant that the application was successful and will invite the applicant to implement onto a technical environment in preparation for going live. 60 days are allowed for the applicant to complete such operation. Within those 60 days, the applicant may request an external systems audit where the live environment will be examined against the proposed application. Once the certification process is completed, a five-year license will be issued by the MGA.
- 5) Once the licence is issued, an independent third party will be contracted by the MGA to perform a number of compliance audits of the licensees operation throughout the first and the third year of operation.
Malta Gaming Authority fees
| Description | Fee |
| Fee for a new licence of any class | €5,000.00 |
| Application fee for the renewal of any class | €5,000.00 |
| Systems Audit | €2,500.00 |
| Compliance Audit | €3,500.00 |
Annual licence fee
The annual license fee is paid to the MGA, previously this was a fixed fee for any class however as of 2018 this fee is changing as follows.
For a class 1, 2 or 3 license the annual fixed MGA fee is €25,000 and for a class 4 license €10,000. If a licensee has multiple classes of licenses (1, 2 or 3) the annual combined fixed fee is calculated on Gross Gaming Revenue:
| Revenue | Fee |
| Fee for a new licence of any class | €5,000.00 |
| -5Mln EUR | €25,000.00 |
| 5mln – 10mln EUR | €30,000.00 |
| + 10mln EUR | €35,000.00 |
Compliance contribution
The MGA has introduced this new fee which is based on Grosse Gaming Revenue and has minimal annual contributions which differ per class:
| Class 1: Annual Compliance contribution – Minimal fee €15.000, Max €375.000 | Rate |
| For every euro of the first €3,000,000 | 1.25% |
| For every euro of the next €4,500,000 | 1.00% |
| For every euro of the next €5,000,000 | 0.85% |
| For every euro of the next €7,500,000 | 0.70% |
| For every euro of the next €10,000,000 | 0.55% |
| For every euro of the remainder | 0.40% |
| Class 2: Annual Compliance contribution – Minimal fee €25.000, Max €600.000 | Rate |
| For every euro of the first €3,000,000 | 4.00% |
| For every euro of the next €4,500,000 | 3.00% |
| For every euro of the next €5,000,000 | 2.00% |
| For every euro of the next €7,500,000 | 1.00% |
| For every euro of the next €10,000,000 | 0.80% |
| For every euro of the next €10,000,000 | 0.60% |
| For every euro of the remainder | 0.40% |
| Class 3: Annual Compliance contribution – Minimal fee €25.000, Max €500.000 | Rate |
| For every euro of the first €2,000,000 | 4.00% |
| For every euro of the next €3,000,000 | 3.00% |
| For every euro of the next €5,000,000 | 2.00% |
| For every euro of the next €5,000,000 | 1.00% |
| For every euro of the next €5,000,000 | 0.80% |
| For every euro of the next €10,000,000 | 0.60% |
| For every euro of the remainder | 0.40% |
| Class 4: Annual Compliance contribution – Minimal fee €5.000, Max €500.000 | Rate |
| For every euro of the first €2,000,000 | 0.50% |
| For every euro of the next €3,000,000 | 0.75% |
| For every euro of the next €5,000,000 | 1.00% |
| For every euro of the next €5,000,000 | 1.25% |
| For every euro of the next €5,000,000 | 1.50% |
| For every euro of the next €10,000,000 | 1.75% |
| For every euro of the remainder | 2.00% |
Gaming Tax as Applicable by the MGA
- Class 1 – €4,660.00 per month for the first six months and €7,000.00 per subsequent month;
- Class 1 on 4 – €1,200.00 per month;
- Class 2 – 0.5% on the gross amount of all bets accepted;
- Class 3 and Class 3 on 4 – 5% of real income;
- Class 4 – No Tax levied for the first six months of operation, €2,330.00 per month for the subsequent six months, and €4,660.00 per subsequent month for the entire duration of the licence
Share Capital Requirements
When incorporating the company on Malta, the MGA requires that companies operating a class 1 or 2 license have a share capital of €100.000. For class 3 or 4 license holders this amount is €40.000. Companies applying for multiple licenses amounts will be cumulative.
An idea of corporate setup fees for a Maltese gambling company
| Description | Fee |
| Incorporation Fee (This includes name reservation, customer due diligence process, M&As, Share Register, VAT application, income tax application, excl. MFSA Registration Fee) | €1,200.00 – €2,000.00 |
| Registered office (optional) | €500 – €1000.00 |
| Corporate Director (optional) | Price on request |
| Company Secretary | €500 – €1000 |
| Annual Compliance (KYC) Maintenance | €250 – €500 |
| Management Fee Package | €3,000.00 – €5,000.00 |
| Assistance opening a bank account | €1,000.00 – €2,000.00 |
Administration services
| Description |
| Book Keeping |
| Legal Administration |
| The legal and financial administrational services will be charged against the applicable hourly rates which may vary from €60 to €250 per hour, depending on the experience of the employee involved. |
The above fees are per class of license.
Typically the fees will include assistance with the drafting of the business plan, financial prognosis, and system documentation.
Key official Services
A Key Official is a natural person, approved and licensed by the MGA to act as a main point of contact towards the said authority on behalf of the gaming company licensed in Malta. Key Official services cost on average €1,000 per month. This will also include the preparation and submission of the player liability reports of the company, gaming tax reports, the quarterly returns, completion of any other returns due by the company (such as questionnaires/consultation papers) to the MGA amongst other duties generally incumbent upon directors by application of the law.
On-going operations
If preferred a service provider can assist with the on-going daily financial and legal matters of the company. The type of service will depend on your personal preferences and below is an example of the services a gaming company may expect to be made available to them:
- Filing of the annual returns
- Preparing and processing bank transactions
- Preparation of bookkeeping and related annual financial statements
- Company VAT(quarterly), annual tax and tax refund filings
- Payroll services
- Mini One Stop Shop (Moss) VAT compliance
- Preparation of dividend warrants
- Certification of documents
- Legal administration (e.g. drafting/reviewing contracts or agreements)
- Liaising with the auditors
- Residency applications and opening of bank accounts for employees
We would recommend negotiating fixed monthly fees to cover the above services allowing you to budget appropriately.
Financial Audit
Audit fees (external auditor) start at €1,500. The actual fee highly depends on the amount of activities within the company.
How long does it take to get the license?
Where can a Malta Gambling license be used?
Casinos licensed under a Malta Gambling License can offer services to players in over 180 countries.
It is far simpler to list the countries where the Malta Gambling License can not be used: USA, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Some European countries are barred too: France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Denmark.
How do I find out if a casino is licensed in Malta?
It is not uncommon for casinos to 'pretend' to have a Malta Gambling License. If you want to find out for sure if a casino is indeed registered and licensed in Malta you can visit
the MGA Gaming License Register for further information.
Over the years, out of all the jurisdictions offering online gambling licensing, three clear forerunners have emerged; Malta, Curacao, and Kahnawake. In this article, we will take a look at each license and compare them, helping you to make a better decision for your business needs.
Those looking to set up an online gaming business can choose from a number of jurisdictions when it comes to licensing. Each online gambling license has its own benefits, drawbacks and features which make it suitable for one client, but not another.
The Top 3 Online Gaming Licenses
Curacao
The island of Curacao has been offering its online gaming license since 1993 and is one of the oldest, easy to apply and most cost-effective iGaming jurisdictions in the world. You can offer gambling from Curacao, but not within the territory.
Kahnawake
Kahnawake is a Mohawk territory located in Quebec, Canada. The Kahnawake license was established in 1999 and it is a popular choice for operators because it's both a well-respected jurisdiction and cost-effective.
Malta Online Gambling License Cost
Malta
Malta is an EU Member State and its license is considered one of the most reputable and well-respected licenses in the world.
But of course, this does come at a price.
Malta Gambling License Prices
How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Gambling License?
Curacao
Curacao has the quickest turn around time. When managed properly, it can take as little as two-three working days.
Curacao has the quickest turn around time. When managed properly, it can take as little as two-three working days.
Kahnawake
Kahnawake is somewhere in the middle and it usually takes around 8 weeks to get the license in hand.
Malta
The Maltese license can take as much as 12 weeks.
The Malta Gaming Authority also requires face-to-face meetings with applicants as well as significant amounts of paperwork.
Of course, in each case, it depends entirely on the timely and correct submission of required documents. Sometimes licensing authorities will require additional documents that can draw out the process. The Curacao license is good for those who want to go live ASAP, Malta is good for those playing the long game, and Kahnawake is for those in between.
The Difficulty of the Application Process
Curacao
No licensing application process is easy, but some are easier than others. The Curacao license is by far the quickest and easiest on the market. You only need one license that will cover all operations and there are minimal maintenance requirements. Also, you need to keep good financial records and abide by various compliance and fair gaming standards.
Kahnawake
In Kahnawake, there are different licenses on offer depending on what services you want to provide. For an online casino, you must apply for the Client Provider Authorisation. While still a simple process, it is a bit more complex than the Curacao license. More due diligence is required and there are additional standards relating to gaming and operational ethics.
Malta
The process of applying for a Malta online gambling license is considerably more complex. There are strict criteria and high standards that must be met initially and on an ongoing basis. As well as KYC, all applicants have to provide references, letters of good standing, and complete a fit and proper test. Also required are compliance and software audits that are carried out periodically.
What's the Cost of These Online Gambling Licenses?
Curacao
The Curacao online gambling license is by far the lowest in price.
For this reason, it is recommended for small businesses and startups.
Kahnawake
The Kahnawake license is a step up price-wise compared to Curacao. It includes additional costs for Key Person License applications as well.
Malta
The Maltese license is the most expensive both at the application stage and in terms of ongoing maintenance.
There are fees every 12 months and depending on what games you offer, there may be additional taxes. License holders also have to pay a compliance contribution that can reach EUR 600,000 depending on how much revenue the entity makes.
What Benefits Do These Online Gambling Licenses Offer?
Curacao
In Curacao, the benefits are the quick and low-cost setup costs. This along with its 0% tax rate and minimal ongoing obligations make it an ideal choice.
There is also 0% VAT in Curacao and license holders can offer services around the world, except Australia, Aruba, Curacao, Cyprus, France, Netherlands, UK, and the USA.
Kahnawake
Kahnawake is a good option because it also enjoys a 0% tax rate. Startup fees are low and the time frame of getting everything up and running is still relatively quick.
Those holding a Kahnawake online gambling license are only restricted from offering services to countries were iGaming is illegal, and FATF blacklisted nations.
Malta
The benefits of a Maltese license include enjoying the prestige that comes withholding it. Tax rates in Malta are set at 35% but shareholders can reduce this to as little as 5% through the full imputation tax regime. Maltese license holders are only stopped from catering to customers in FATF blacklisted countries, and territories where it is illegal.
Across all jurisdictions, license holders are not allowed to service countries in FATF blacklisted countries or countries where online gambling has been deemed illegal.
Contact Fast Offshore To Get Your Online Gambling License!
Fast Offshore has been helping clients obtain an online gambling license for over 22 years. There's no-one better placed to advise and guide you through the whole process. If you're thinking of opening an online gambling platform, contact us today.
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On 05/06/2020 /Malta Gambling License Cost
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