Setting up an iGaming Business in Malta: A guide to MGA licences

Malta is a key hub for iGaming, offering robust regulation, favourable taxes, and a business-friendly environment. Whether you’re offering services to players (B2C) or gaming operators (B2B), Malta’s iGaming licences, regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), provides the credibility you need. At EM Group, we support our clients at every step to ensure a seamless process, from set-up and application to ongoing regulatory compliance.

Here are a few of the aspects one must consider when setting up a business to be licensed by the MGA.

Understand B2B vs B2C licences

• B2C licence (Business-to-Consumer): For companies that offer gaming services directly to players, such as casinos, lotteries, and sports betting.
• B2B Llcence (Business-to-Business): For companies that provide services to B2C operators, including software / game providers.
• Corporate Licence (B2B + B2C): For businesses that wish to use their own games/software on their B2C platform.

Select the right corporate structure

For the MGA licence, a company can be set up in Malta or anywhere within the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), provided that it complies with certain requirements. Some businesses might require 2-tier types of structures (holding & trading companies), and in the case of a corporate licence, a specific structure would apply.

Why Malta?

Most licencees choose to set up in Malta for various reasons, including the favourable tax incentives, robust network of service providers, skilled multilingual workforce, residency schemes and much more – all here to support iGaming operations to become established and thriving businesses.

Having a licensed EU company also serves the business internationally, by facilitating third party contracts with Malta being a respected jurisdiction.

A Maltese company must have at least a registered office in Malta, one director and a company secretary – and EM Group can help with all these services.

Think about your strategy for the business

Regardless of whether you’re pursuing a B2B or B2C licence, it is important for one to think of several aspects; such as what you want the company to be doing, which markets will it target, how you want the business to evolve, and what will be the costs and expected revenue. All these aspects will later be included in the business plan to be submitted to the MGA. You will also need to consider other points, such as your future partners and suppliers, marketing and customer acquisition strategy (B2C only), and forecasted operational structure, including technology, compliance and HR, amongst other things.

Make sure all documents are in place for the application

The main focus of the MGA is to verify that the company and related individuals are “fit and proper” to conduct the business of a licensed entity. This will be checked through submitting various documentation on the application, such as:

• Business plan: As explained above, this is usedto confirm the company has a sound strategy, meets legal requirements, and is financially sustainable.
• Due diligence: The MGA will conduct thorough checks on the shareholders, directors, and key officials. Directors and Key Function holders will be required to meet a set of criteria to be deemed eligible.
• Technical documentation: You must provide a detailed technical setup of your gaming system, including security protocols, player protection measures (B2C), and system stability.
• Policies and procedures: This includes adherence to anti-money laundering (AML) and data protection (GDPR) policies, amongst others.
• Outsourcing agreements: Draft agreements of all services being outsourced should be provided.

EM Group services

EM Group is here to help with all the steps to set up your iGaming business. We provide tailored solutions that simplify the process and ensure successful set-up. With a reputation for understanding the unique challenges of gaming operators across different jurisdictions, including Malta, Curaçao, the Netherlands, Isle of Man, Germany, Alderney, Cyprus and UK, we are here to support your compliance, corporate, and licensing needs.

Reach out to me on julie.courte@the-emgroup.com or by phone on (+356)99610000 to discuss your iGaming needs, and we’ll guide you every step of the way. You can also visit our contact page to speak with one of our experts and take the first step toward establishing your business in any of our top-tier jurisdictions