Maintaining Malta’s edge in iGaming – CLA Malta weighs in 

Malta’s gaming sector faces a defining moment. Long celebrated as Europe’s iGaming capital, the island now contends with growing competition, technological disruption, and increasing regulatory complexity. To examine these challenges and opportunities, iGamingCapital.mt spoke with two leading experts: Dr John Caruana, a lawyer and the Head of Legal at CLA Malta, and Mr Isaac Sammut Satariano, Head of Business Development at CLA Malta, a gaming advisory firm in Malta. 

Shall Malta maintain its competitive edge as a country where gaming operators set up their business? 

As of December 2024, the Gaming Industry in Malta is reported to have contributed to around 13 per cent of the Maltese GDP whilst also hosting ten per cent of global online gaming operations, making it a significant example of the positive correlation between effective regulation and economic growth. Malta’s unified approach and clear regulatory framework have contributed significantly to Malta’s success. The reputation of the Malta Gaming Authority’s (MGA) proactive approach and Malta’s drive to sustaining the gaming industry (as explicitly highlighted in the Malta Vision 2050), act as testimony to where Malta intends to position itself within the field.

The MGA’s 2024 annual report highlights that the Authority generated €84.1 million in operating revenue throughout 2024, a 2.5 per cent  increase over 2023. This reflects the Authority’s income from licence fees, compliance contributions, and related charges. On the other hand, operating expenses rose by €13.4 million. As a result, there was an operating surplus of €70.8 million, up by €1.8 million from the previous year. Additionally, the report underscores, alongside other initiatives, strengthened enforcement efforts and collaboration with FIAU on AML/CFT matters. Notably, with the introduction of the self-assessment tool designed to help individuals evaluate their gambling habits, player protection remained a core priority throughout 2024.

In comparison to other jurisdictions, Malta retains crucial advantages for operators targeting European players. While emerging tech hubs like Georgia offer low-rate tax incentives, they lack access to the EU market, and jurisdictions from Curaçao to Estonia are introducing streamlined licensing frameworks to remain competitive.

The EU’s stricter AML directives and the rise of AI-driven compliance tools, including Suspicious Activity Report automation, are reshaping operational requirements. Operators now balance multiple considerations: regulatory prestige versus speed to market, tax efficiency versus banking accessibility. Malta’s strength has always been its equilibrium, but maintaining this demands constant adaptation.

What trends are shaping the future of gaming in Malta and how is Malta preparing for the next wave of gaming beyond iGaming? 

Several dynamic trends are slowly shaping the future of gaming in Malta, reflecting technological advancements, regulatory evolution and shifting of player preferences. The industry is evolving rapidly, driven by the rise of online and instant casinos. Platforms like ‘pikakasinot’ enable quick deposits and withdrawals without lengthy registrations, while innovative technologies such as VR, AI, and blockchain are continuously reshaping the player’s gaming experience.

The Government’s Malta Vision 2050 provides 90 initiatives which aim to define Malta’s long-term development by establishing interim targets for 2035 that will direct national progress through to 2050. Through this initiative, there seems to be a shift of focus from simply maintaining to iGaming boom to exploring other frontiers in interactive entertainment, digital innovation, regulatory leadership, and strategic diversification, including growth in e-sports and development of the local video game development industry.

How does the Government’s Malta Vision 2050 aim to sustain the gaming sector’s contribution to the Maltese economy?

The Malta Vision 2050 framework is based on four main pillars, with Sustainable Economic Growth, being one of the pillars focusing on quality over quantity, prioritising high-value sectors such as financial services, aviation, gaming, and high-end manufacturing. With the target of achieving a sustainable average annual GDP growth rate of 5 per cent by 2035, gaming remains a key component by reinforcing and consolidating regulatory frameworks. The Vision highlights the targeted sectoral contribution of the gaming industry to €2.3-2.8 billion representing 6-7 per cent of 2035 projected GDP. These are supported by two major initiatives including the enhancement of apprenticeship programs in partnership with key industry players, ensuring local talent development, and mandating all licensed operators to shift to 100 per cent renewable-powered data centres by 2035, offering tax incentives for compliance.

How does the Malta Vision 2050 aim to place Malta as a leading hub for gaming entrepreneurs and professionals while addressing workforce challenges and the industry’s skills gap?

The Malta Vision 2050 strives to maintain the country’s position as a global leader in iGaming and this incentive combines smart regulations, green innovation and talent empowerment, with regulatory frameworks ensuring transparency and fairness and player protection. 

By combining smart regulations with fiscal incentives, Malta continues to attract leading iGaming companies and startups, supporting sustainable sector growth and economic contribution. The Vision also fosters the advancement in AI and blockchain, as well as establishing global partnerships. Malta is forming a succeeding ecosystem where gamers, developers and entrepreneurs can thrive in a sustainable manner, and at the same time ensuring that Malta remains at the forefront of iGaming innovation. 

To bridge the gap, Malta is preparing to focus more on education, scaling and apprenticeships with industry players tailored to the needs of the iGaming industry to ensure the development of local talent. Although the Vision encourages diversification into other digital entertainment fields, iGaming remains in the lead and efforts are still ongoing to enhance compliance, sustainability and global competitiveness. 

What does Malta’s future look like to maintain its competitive edge in the global iGaming industry?

Malta’s fundamentals remain strong, including its EU membership, English as a primary business language, and regulatory maturity, but sustaining its leadership demands continuous reinvention. The coming decade won’t be about Malta competing with Curaçao or Estonia. It’s about building an ecosystem where gaming intersects with fintech, cybersecurity, and digital entertainment. This is how smaller jurisdictions remain relevant in a digital economy. 

For operators and advisors alike, one reality is clear: Malta’s gaming future depends not on past achievements, but on its ability to anticipate and influence forthcoming developments. 

How does CLA Malta contribute to the gaming sector and provide support to licensed entities?

As MGA-approved statutory audit service providers, CLA Malta’s expertise ranges from statutory audit procedures to taxation, advisory, and corporate support. We act as a one-stop-shop, offering numerous advisory services which MGA licensees or prospective licenced entities may require, including accounting advisory services, financial planning, risk and compliance, GDPR advice, drafting of documentation significant for the functioning of gaming operations like employment agreements, IP license agreements and software licensing agreements, and assistance with Key Functions Roles. With Malta’s iGaming sector facing tighter regulations and tax scrutiny, CLA Malta leverages its network expertise to provide cost-effective solutions to gaming operators, particularly those expanding into new markets, diversifying, or relocating. 

CLA Malta is also part of CLA Global, a network with over 235 international offices and more than 15,000 personnel; this puts CLA Malta in a very strategic position to provide international tax planning, highly specialised advisory services, and compliance with regulatory changes.