Malta Gaming Authority B2C & B2B License Application Process

Gaming operators and/or  companies who wish to apply for a Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) Business-to-Consumer (B2C) or Business-to-Business (B2B) Malta gaming license are advised to consult the following documentation list before starting a Gaming License Application:

  • Any applicable Enclosure lists

All relevant documentation and information that are required to be submitted according to the SDC must be performed via electronic means through the Licensee Portal. 

In addition, the application will be linked to an entity, and the application will be visible on the MGA’s timeline. This way, the applicant may start an application, save the process, and continue at a later date to complete it.

The same application review process will be applied to both B2C and B2B license applications. However, it should be noted that depending on the license type, submission of different documentation as well as procedures will be taken into account. 

Companies that are based in the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) eligible to apply for a Gaming License must ensure that Share Capital and annual Financial Statements reporting requirements must be met in order to proceed.

Malta Gaming Authority License Application Process

Application Accepted/Incomplete

Applications for B2C and/or B2B license types must be completed in full, and  submitted with the required information through LRMS.

Upon submission of the application, the information and documentation submitted by the applicant will be reviewed. If the MGA finds any required documentation missing or incomplete information, the application will be set to ‘INCOMPLETE’ for SIXTY (60) days.

If the application is not resubmitted with the required documentation or information, the application will be rejected and closed off.

Additionally, any Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs), Directors, and Key Persons must submit a Personal Declaration Form (PDF).

Application Review

During the application stage, the MGA will assess the applicant based on the following prerequisites: 

  • Fit and proper to conduct any gaming business.
  • Viable business strategy.
  • Statutory requirements satisfied by the applicant.
  • Applicant demonstrating the operational capacity required to fulfill the obligations prescribed by Maltese laws and policies.
  • Successfully implementing what has been applied for on a technical environment before going live.

Fit & Proper Review

The applicant will undergo a fitness and propriety test conducted by the MGA to assess all submitted information regarding its shareholders, UBOs, relevant key persons, and the operation’s business viability. Probity investigations with national and global regulatory bodies by the MGA will also be conducted.

Funding Review

The MGA will assess the applicant’s Source of Funds, source and extent of wealth of its UBOs: 

  • Source of Wealth – Describes activities that generate the wealth of the UBOs, such as income generated through employment, business, or inheritance.
  • Source of Funds – Describes the applicant’s means of generating funds that will be used for gaming operations. E.g. Activity, event, business, occupation, employment, etc.

Assessment of Source of Wealth and Source of Funds includes: 

  • Confirmation of the UBO’s fiscal stability to sustain a Malta gaming license during its life cycle.
  • Legitimacy verifcation of sources.

Business Plan & Operating Policies & Procedures Review

The MGA will conduct a detailed analysis of the applicant’s:

  • Business operations 
  • Viability of business operations
  • Funding
  • Forecast financials

The business plan that is submitted by the applicant is expected to have the operation’s detailed forecast, which also includes: 

  • Marketing strategies
  • Distribution strategies
  • Targets for growth

This step in the application process requires examining incorporation documents and operating policies and procedures submitted by the applicant, as per what is required in the SDC.

Technical Set-up Review & System Audit

A review of the applicant’s technical documentation of its gaming and control systems. Upon successful review, the  MGA will inform the applicant to implement said systems into a technical environment for SIXTY (60) days before going live.

During this testing period, the applicant may initiate a request for an external System Audit from the MGA’s list of pre-approved 3rd party Service Providers. This System Audit process will review the staged environment according to the submitted policies and procedures.

Additionally, the SDC includes a list of the following items that will be audited during the system review.

Clarifications of requests for further information

Throughout the application duration, the MGA may be  subject to requesting further information from the applicant in respect to the application. When this occurs, the application status will be changed to ‘AMENDMENTS REQUIRED’ until the applicant submits the requested documentation.

Major changes that may occur during the license application period, prior to the approval of the license, will require a new license application to be submitted.

Major changes of the license application includes:

  • Changes affecting more than 75% equity ownership, control, or funding of the prospective.
  • Changes that require a new Business Plan to be submitted, E.g. Product offerings, markets, submissions of revised Financial Projections.
  • Changes that necessitate a new review of submitted policies, procedures, and other documentation.

In the event of any major changes to the license application process, and to aid applicants, information that is submitted to the MGA that is valid do not need to be submitted again. However, updated documentation will need to be resubmitted in full again through the LRMS with the respective application fee.

License Approved/Rejected

Upon successful review of the application, the MGA will issue the Malta gaming license to the applicant. The license will be valid for a period of 10 years.

Share Capital Requirements

The licensee is required to pay a minimum share capital  gaming requirements, which is entirely dependant on the type of license being applied for.

The following is the minimum share capital requirements for B2C gaming service license types:

  • Type 1 – Minimum €100,000.00
  • Type 2 – Minimum €100,000.00
  • Type 3 – Minimum €40,000.00
  • Type 4 – Minimum €40,000.00

Applicants who have multiple license types approved must meet the above share capital requirements cumulatively up to a minimum cap of €240,000.00.