Malta Gaming Authority: MGA-Licensed Casinos

How We Chose the Best MGA Casino Sites

Each casino is a unique platform with different games, bonuses, users, and customer support teams. An MGA license tells us that the platform is safe, the games are good, and the owners are trustworthy. However, when reviewing MGA-licensed sites, we dig deeper, following these criteria:

• Reputation: no matter who licensed any given casino, it’s the users who ultimately make casinos trendy or obsolete. We scoured thousands of reviews across Trustpilot and mobile reviewing platforms for verifiable testimonials to get an unbiased picture of players’ experiences. 
• Security: safety is one of our top priorities when reviewing casinos. Fortunately, MGA typically audits the security features of its license petitioners first, and our methods align for the most part. We check website protection technology, and encryption certificates, and verify the security of payments, prioritizing sites that pass all of these tests. 
• Game variety: after establishing that casinos are trustworthy, we look at their gaming libraries to determine which games are available, how they play (and pay), and whether are they fair. Our recommendations excel in these fields, offering plenty of slots, table games, and live dealers. 
• Payments: MGA casinos are known for offering quick deposits and withdrawals through multiple payment methods. We test each system to determine the average payout time, look for fees, and recommend sites that offer optimal paying conditions. 
• User Interface: navigating thousands of games can be time-consuming, just like searching for specific features can be draining without proper shortcuts and an intuitive interface. Our recommended MGA casinos boast clean, beginner-friendly website designs and are easy to jump into. 
• Mobile casinos: each site we recommend can be accessed from desktop and mobile devices, ensuring players can enjoy their favorite games on the go, wherever they are.

Popular MGA-licensed Online Casinos

Our experts have tested and reviewed over 185+ casinos licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority. After careful consideration, we’ve handpicked five of the trendiest choices both beginner and seasoned casino players love. 

These include Whamoo Casino, Casino Buck, Q88 Bets, Casimba, and Gioo Casino. Read more about these sites below. 

#1 Whamoo

Whamoo was founded in 2020 by DialMedia Ltd and quickly climbed the ladder of top MGA casinos with its unique “Welcombo” sign-up bonus. 

Newcomers can tailor this promotion by choosing between multiple combinations of bonus matches and free spin offers while plenty of other deals await, such as Whoa Wednesday reloads, Triple Thrills bonus codes, and High Five free spins. 

The casino sources hundreds of games from over 45+ leading slot makers like Revolver, Playson, Pragmatic, and Wazdan. Additionally, it supports a range of payment methods, with some of the trendiest options being AstroPay, ecoPayz, eZeeWallet, Flexepin, Skrill, Neosurf, and credit cards. 

#2 Casino Buck

Casino Buck is one of the many online casinos owned and operated by the renowned N1 Interactive Limited. It launched in 2019 and made waves with its myriad of regular tournaments, including Mystery Drops, Crash & Win, and various weekly races. 

When it comes to gaming options, Casino Buck brings over 800+ video slots, bonus buy games, and table games, as well as a dedicated live casino lobby powered by Evolution, Playtech, and Pragmatic Live. 

This online casino is widely known for offering massive bonuses that far exceed the industry’s average in size and bonus conditions. The 5-deposit welcome pack and weekly reloads are particularly generous, but players can also expect a variety of other deals like Live Casino Daily Drops or Highroller Bonus. 

#3 Q88Bets

Q88Bets, previously known as SlotKingCasino, is a licensee of both MGA and UKGC. Beyond exemplary trustworthiness, this site brings a host of gaming options, catering to both slot and sports betting enjoyers. 

It’s held in high regard among low-roller players as it accepts deposits as low as €10 via popular payment systems like Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Apple Pay, Skrill, and AstroPay. 

Q88Bets stands among the top MGA-licensed casinos when it comes to bonuses, offering munificent sign-up deals and numerous promos for regular players. 

#4 Casimba Casino

Casimba online casino is a well-established MGA licensee, launched in 2017 by White Hat Gaming Limited. With over 4,300+ games, it offers a barrage of slots, video poker, scratchies, bingo, and live dealer tables. 

It’s a stellar choice for high-roller players, mainly because it offers a colossal 275% welcome bonus of up to €6,500 topped with 125 free spins. Casimba has a different deal almost every day of the week, encompassing Monday Boosts, Wednesday Bonanza, Friday Frenzy, and numerous other weekly promotions. 

Another huge advantage Casimba has over competing websites lies in its industry-leading bonus conditions. Namely, while most casinos impose 50x or higher wagering requirements, Casimba keeps them as low as 35x for most promotions. 

#5 Gioo Casino

Like Casino Buck, Gioo Casino is run by N1 Interactive Limited. It was launched in 2021 and is among the newer MGA-licensed sites, bringing fresh gaming opportunities and solid bonuses to both new players and its regulars. 

Our casino experts were particularly impressed with Gioo Casino’s loyalty program. It features 10 levels with progressive prizes, starting with 25 free spins and rising to a whopping €600 in bonus cash for reaching the last level. More importantly, VIP bonuses carry ultra-low playthrough requirements of just 3x. 

In terms of payments, Gioo Casino has decently high depositing limits and supports a broad spectrum of options, including but not limited to Visa, Maestro Card, Neteller, Skrill, PaySafeCard, Sofort, Trustly, ecoPayz, Neosurf, and Rapid Transfer. It’s among the handful of casinos that support instant cashouts with fiat currencies. 

New MGA Casinos

Malta Gaming Authority has been auditing and licensing online casinos for over two decades. They saw a huge influx of license petitioners from 2020 onward and have granted their seal of approval to over a dozen new sites. 

Even though hundreds of long-running MGA-licensed casinos exist, checking out these up-and-coming casino platforms might be worthwhile for players searching for fresh gaming experiences, new games, or additional bonuses to claim. Below is a list of some of the trendiest new MGA casinos you may want to visit: 

• FireVegas Casino, launched in 2022
• VegasLand Casino, launched in 2022
• Casilime Casino, launched in 2022
• Gate 777 Casino, launched in 2023
• Red Casino, launched in 2023
• Playgrand Casino, launched in 2023
• Dreamz Casino, launched in 2024
• Neptune Play, launched in 2024

Payment Methods at Malta-licensed Casinos

Players can deposit and withdraw funds at MGA-licensed online casinos using a variety of payment methods. 

Unlike sites licensed by “less” popular authorities, Malta casinos do not support cryptocurrencies, but they do support a range of credit cards, e-wallets, mobile payment systems, and bank transfers. 

Credit Cards

The preferred payment method of the majority of MGA casino players, credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro are widely available, easy to use, and decently fast when it comes to cashing in and out. Most online casinos support at least a few types of card payments. 

Skrill/Neteller

The trendiest sister e-wallets, Skrill and Neteller offer almost instant payouts, top-notch security, and mobile convenience. It should be noted that some MGA casinos support either Skrill or Neteller (not both) and that these systems may feature different limits and/or fees. 

PayPal

Superior to Skrill in terms of data safety but inferior when it comes to transaction charges, PayPal is the middle-ground solution to safe, quick casino payments at MGA-licensed sites. 

Apple Pay

Although it is exclusive to Apple users, Apple Pay is available in most countries around the world and is extremely popular for having ultra-low transaction fees. It’s among the trendiest options for players preferring mobile MGA casinos. 

Neosurf

This e-wallet has been helping casino players share as little data as possible when making payments to various betting sites for over two decades. Neosurf rivals credit cards in terms of speed but it isn’t available in as many casinos. 

Cash-to-Code

CashtoCode is an exceptionally convenient service that enables casino players to wire cash directly to chosen destinations in the blink of an eye. It’s famous for offering unique eVouchers that can be seamlessly used at various sites (not limited to casinos). 

Online Bank Transfers

Players who want to add an extra layer of security to their payments prefer online bank transfers. Having banks as the middleman also means that transactions may take longer to process, but this system is generally considered the safest. 

KYC Checks

A know-your-customer or KYC check is a standard verification procedure that the majority of legitimate online casinos utilize. KYC verification is mandatory at all MGA-licensed casinos, as they strive to curb illegal and underage gambling. 

These checks can occur at different instances - as early as registration, or when making the first deposit. What is universal for nearly all casinos is that cashing out is impossible without KYC verification. 

The procedure is simple and rarely takes longer than a few days to complete, sometimes even hours. Below, we’ll outline the usual steps involved in KYC checks at MGA-licensed casinos:

1. Register an Account: Sign up at the online casino by providing basic information such as your name, email, and date of birth. 

2. Upload Documents: Navigate to the KYC section of your account. Upload the required identification documents, such as a government-issued ID (passport or driver’s license) and a recent utility bill or bank statement to verify your address.

3. Submit for Verification: After uploading the necessary documents, submit them for verification. The casino’s compliance team will review the documents to ensure they meet the requirements.

4. Await Approval: Wait for confirmation from the casino. Once the documents are verified, you will receive an email notification, and your account will be fully verified, allowing you to withdraw funds and enjoy uninterrupted gameplay.

Some casinos may require you to provide proof of payment method ownership, which can be, for example,  a photocopy of your credit card’s front and back sides. 

Bonuses at MGA Online Casinos

Casino bonuses can kickstart your starting bankroll with bonus cash, free spins, or a combination of both. Some promotions like no-deposit bonuses give free money, usually upon sign-up. Below, we examine some of the most popular bonuses at MGA online casinos, so let’s start from the top. 

Welcome Bonus

A bonus that is typically awarded to newcomers on their first deposit is called a Welcome Bonus. If this promotion contains multiple rewards dispensed across multiple deposits, we refer to it as a welcome bonus pack or bundle. 

One of the best MGA casino welcome bonuses is available at Casimba, boasting a massive 275% match of up to €6,500 across the first three deposits. 

No Deposit Bonus

NDB or no-deposit bonuses allow players to claim bonus cash or free spins without depositing their own money. These promotions are available from time to time at MGA online casinos, typically via promo codes. 

No-deposit bonuses normally carry much higher wagering requirements than regular bonuses; more specifically, they usually have max cashout limits and playthrough terms above the industry’s average. 

Free Spins

Bonuses that award free spins with preset bet sizes are called Free Spin Bonuses. Although they are called “free”, these promos usually require deposits. Players essentially “buy” free spins for a chance of making more money than they initially paid (e.g. by hitting a jackpot or triggering the bonus round). 

Most MGA-licensed sites feature free spin offers. For example, Whamoo has High Five Friday free spin deals; Gioo Casino has Wednesday Reload Free Spins, and Casimba has Wednesday Bonanza. 

Reload Bonus

Deposit-based bonuses claimed after the Welcome Bonus are usually referred to as “reload bonuses”. They function exactly like sign-up offers with one major difference - while welcome bonuses are one-offs, reload bonuses can be claimed many times, usually once per week. 

A solid example of a good reload bonus is Casimba’s Monday Boost, which offers a 40% bonus of up to €500 every Monday. 

Live Casino Bonuses

Live Casino relates to games with live dealers like blackjack, roulette, poker, baccarat, or Sic Bo. Live casino bonuses are game-specific promotions that can be only used in live casino segments; you can still play slots, but you won’t be making any rollover progress for these promos. 

Gioo Casino has an exciting live casino promotion called Live Daily Drops while many other sites have similar offers, which are sometimes formatted as tournaments, contests, or giveaways. 

Cashback

A cashback bonus allows players to retrieve some of their lost wagers in the form of bonus funds. For example, if you deposited €200 and lost €100 last week, a 10% cashback bonus would return €10 to your balance. 

Cashback promotions can be offered daily, weekly, or monthly. In most cases, they are restricted by bonus rules comparable to other promotions (e.g. playthrough requirements, deadlines, cashout limits, etc.). However, Gioo Casino stands out with its 15% cashback promo with no wagering requirements, allocating funds directly to the real cash balance. 

Casino Games & Providers in Malta

The quality and fairness of casino-style games and the reputation and trustworthiness of their manufacturers are equally important to our team at GoodLuckMate as they are to MGA. 

Hundreds and thousands of slot games are available at virtually all Malta-licensed casino sites. However, we purposefully searched for casinos that offered more than just numbers. Our team searched for sites boasting video slots, jackpots, bonus buy games, table games, and live dealer games. 

At GoodLuckMate, we firmly believe that varied gaming catalogs can benefit all players, regardless of their goals. 

For example, table games typically boast higher RTPs and are ideal for hunting bonus requirements (when eligible); jackpots can help you land huge wins even at the lowest of bets while feature-rich game categories like Megaways, Bonus Buy, or Tumblers house some of the most exciting titles we’ve been covering for years. 

We’ve taken a deep dive into Malta Gaming Authority’s Licensee Register in search of its prominent i-gaming studio licensees, and some of the biggest names on this list include:

• 1x2 Network
• Amusnet
• Apparat Gaming Services
• Atlantic Games
• Blueprint Technologies
• Booming Games
• Endorphina
• Elk Studios
• Evolution Gaming
• Game Tower Entertainment
• Gameart
• Gamesoft
• Habanero
• Helio Gaming
• Microgaming
• NoLimitCity
• Playtech
• Play’n Go
• Platipus
• Pragmatic
• Push Gaming
• Relax Gaming

Pros and Cons of the Malta Gaming License

Pros:

• Impeccable reputation: MGA is widely considered among the most trustworthy gambling authorities. Its pristine reputation stretches across all continents, although it mainly operates in Europe. 
• Rigorous testing: to obtain an MGA license, casinos must pass numerous challenging tests, from filing full software audits and business plans to comprehensive instrument examinations to a multi-step application procedure. Having an MGA license means that all these tests were passed, and the players’ trust is well-earned. 
• Access to Malta-certified professionals: casino owners who enter MGA’s ecosystem are authorized to employ some of the most seasoned veterans in the gambling industry. In turn, players have access to better customer support channels and better-optimized casino sites. 
• Verifiable bonuses: Malta Gaming Authority would instantly turn down applicants if their casino had shady bonus deals or offers. Players can rest assured that all bonuses they’re claiming at MGA-certified casinos are real and as good as advertised. 

Cons:

• A close-knit community: because successfully getting an MGA license is difficult, the ecosystem of licensed casinos isn’t too large.

Reputation and Trustworthiness of MGA Casinos

Thousands of players across the globe trust MGA casinos because of the rigorous compliance requirements these sites need to pass to possess a Maltese license. 

Holders of MGA licenses must pass initial game fairness, player protection, and owner background tests and uphold the highest regulatory standards throughout their operations. This means that MGA casinos must continue proving they are worthy of the license even after obtaining it. 

Moreover, MGA Casinos are typically owned by reputable casino operators like N1 Interactive. These companies are built on transparency and publicly disclose key information about their respective firms. 

Finally, MGA-licensed casinos utilize state-of-the-art website protection technologies and boast SSL certificates from reputable names like DigiCert and Let’s Encrypt. 

Types of Gambling Licenses Provided by the MGA

A basic distinction is made between four different gaming licenses with the MGA:

• Class 1 license: A so-called “remote” license, which is intended for operators who offer risk-based and repetitive games outside of the country. These include casino games, online lotteries, and, in some cases, skill games.
• Class 2 license: A “remote” license for bookmakers and betting companies.
• Class 3 License: A license that allows companies to promote or support remote gaming in Malta. This license is intended for operators who earn commissions by selling services. This includes poker networks, P2P networks, and other game portals.
• Class 4 License: Hosting and Management of Other Remote Game Operators. The licensee does not provide gambling itself but rather provides a platform. This license is primarily intended for games and software developers.

Responsible Gaming Requirements

Player protection is very important to the Malta Gaming Authority. This responsibility is also passed onto the operators, who are required to maintain a high standard in this area.

All online casinos that are licensed in Malta must offer players a wide range of options for self-protection. This includes different betting limits and restrictions. Particular emphasis is placed on the option of self-exclusion and its seamless implementation.

Operators are audited regularly and there are large fines if they fail to comply with the regulations. This can even result in loss of the license if the rules are continually disregarded.

Random Number Generators and Fair Play

All online casinos with a Maltese MGA license are regularly checked for their fairness. This includes the games and the random number generators among other things.

Additionally, independent institutes such as eCOGRA or iTech Labs are often commissioned in MGA casinos to test the integrity of the games.

All random number generators (RNG) are certified and this ensures that the online casinos and their staff have no influence on the outcome of the results. Therefore, provably fair games can be ensured by the regulator.

How to Validate an MGA License Status

Any MGA license holders must publish an interactive seal of approval by the regulator. The seal of approval is just the authority's logo, so you can't really miss it. Once you click on it, you will be taken to a separate page where you can see whether the license is valid.

The page must start with https://authorisation.mga.org.mt to be official. It will reveal license information like the license holder, address, contact number, email address, license status, license type, and licensed website URLs.

Another way to check an operator's license status is to simply check the MGA licensee register. Through this page, you can browse license holders by name, URL, authorisation status, or gaming service.

How to File a Complaint to the MGA

For the vast majority of players, all interactions with any MGA online casino run smoothly, as the jurisdiction is specially designed to guarantee a fair and professional environment.

In rare cases, however, the operator and the customer may have a dispute and discrepancies arise. In this case, the players can contact the MGA to resolve the dispute and act as a mediator. The MGA is considered to be particularly fair and unreservedly takes the side of the player should misconduct on the part of the operator be found.

In 2018, the MGA introduced a new Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which is intended to offer players a convenient point of contact. The online casinos were forced to offer an alternative dispute resolution via an independent third-party provider. Often these are established online portals that assess the dispute neutrally.

In any case, the MGA must still be informed by the casino if a complaint is submitted in this way. If no agreement can be reached, the Malta Gaming Authority will continue to intervene itself. Therefore, you can always be sure to be in safe hands.

The exact way of filing a complaint in case you can't agree with the operator or the ADR is to contact the regulator. This is done through the official MGA page dedicated to lodging complaints.

The form includes various fields that require information about you, the online casino operator you're complaining about, and the reason behind your complaint. This form also lets you upload files that support your claims. Once you fill out the form, you should submit it and wait for a response.

Malta Gaming Authority Compared to Other Licenses

Malta’s license is widely hailed as the golden solution to the ever-changing dynamics of legal regulatory requirements, transparency, and trust. 

MGA has been known for its relatively strict auditing process, but it all changed with the Gaming Act of 2018 which introduced a dose of flexibility for applicants. The entire process can take up to six months to complete, ensuring no stone is left unturned while casinos are put under scrutiny. Below is a short overview of some of the popular licensing authorities:

Curacao: the CGCB can be described as MGA’s polar opposite. It allows casino owners to procure a license in merely a few weeks; the process is simple and relatively lax in terms of the required paperwork, but it covers all vital points like RNG testing and owner background checks.

Gibraltar: Gibraltar’s Regulatory Authority is comparable to MGA in many aspects. Both authorities take months to conduct thorough tests on slot and table gaming standards. GRA has regimented rules about casino advertisements and is a bit stricter than the Malta Gaming Authority in this field. 

Estonia: The Estonian Tax and Customs Board audits casinos seeking an ETCB license. This authority is known for its moderately strict stance on gaming regulations and exclusively awards individualized licenses. 

United Kingdom: UKGC is the leading gaming authority on the European continent, boasting some of the most battle-hardened industry experts and a stellar reputation. Although it was formally established in 2007, various iterations of this organization existed throughout history and strived to regulate domestic gambling activities. 

Tips for Choosing the Best Malta Gaming Authority Casinos

• Learn which gaming studios power the casinos you want to register with. It doesn’t matter if a site has 10,000+ games if most of them are rigged, boring, or re-hashed versions of existing games. We recommend casinos powered by vendors licensed by MGA directly, such as Pragmatic, NoLimitCity, or Habanero. 
• Compare the minimum deposit limits of sites you wish to register with. The industry’s average is €20, but some MGA online casinos like Q88 Bets accept deposits of €10 or even less. 
• When comparing casinos, weigh the bonus size against the wagering conditions. Realistically, you’re more likely to cash in a €100 bonus with 35x wagering requirements than a €1,000 bonus with 50x bonus requirements. 
• Look for MGA casinos that support your chosen payment method. For instance, Casimba is ideal for players preferring credit cards, PayPal, or methods from the Paysafe family (Skrill, Neteller) while Whamoo offers close to 30 different methods.
• Don’t miss the social tournaments. As reputable casinos, MGA sites attract decent, civilized players who you may enjoy conversing with or competing against; you may even earn prizes by simply playing your favorite games. 
• New Malta casinos have passed (almost) the same tests as long-running venues. There’s no need to be worried about the legitimacy of licensed sites that emerged in recent years. 
• If you’re equally fond of slots and sports betting, prioritize Malta sites that offer both casino and sportsbook segments like Q88 Bets. 
• Comparing numerous MGA-licensed sites can be time-consuming and difficult for newcomers. We invite you to use our guides to make your search easier.