Malta Gaming Authority: MGA-Licensed Casinos

How We Chose the Best MGA Casino Sites

An MGA licence establishes regulatory obligations for the licensed activity. It does not prove that every game, account or owner action is safe. We also consider the operator’s current terms, complaint history and the criteria below.

• 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.

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.

Payment Methods at Malta-licensed Casinos

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

MGA-licensed operators may support cards, e-wallets, bank transfers and other approved payment methods. Acceptance of distributed-ledger assets requires MGA approval under its policy; there is no blanket rule that all Malta-licensed casinos reject cryptocurrencies. Check the operator’s current cashier and supported currencies.

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

PayPal may be available at some MGA-licensed casinos. Check its availability, transaction limits and fees for your account and location; a payment brand alone does not establish that a casino transaction is safe.

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

Neosurf offers prepaid vouchers for use at participating merchants, alongside its account services. Check whether the casino accepts the relevant Neosurf product and what limits or verification requirements apply.

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

Online bank transfers move funds between accounts. Processing times, fees and verification requirements depend on the banks and operator; the payment route alone does not make a casino account or transaction safe.

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 the casino to confirm the verification result. Check whether anything else is required for your account or withdrawal; completing one document check does not guarantee uninterrupted play or payment.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Many MGA sites have live casino 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.). 

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. 
• Bonus terms: check the qualifying deposit, eligible games, wagering requirement, deadline and withdrawal limits. A licence does not guarantee that every promotion is suitable for you or that no dispute can occur.

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

The MGA distinguishes a B2C Gaming Service Licence for serving players from a B2B Critical Gaming Supply Licence for relevant suppliers. Approved gaming activities are further grouped into service types:

• Type 1: casino and other qualifying games against the house, including relevant lotteries.
• Type 2: fixed-odds betting.
• Type 3: peer-to-peer, pool and commission-based games.
• Type 4: controlled skill games.

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.

Technical audits and RNG testing assess specified systems and game requirements. Certification is not proof that every operator action is correct. “Provably fair” usually refers to a separate cryptographic verification mechanism; an MGA licence does not itself provide that mechanism.

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

An MGA licence establishes regulatory and player-protection obligations. It does not guarantee a trouble-free account or payment experience. Check the current licence, operator terms and complaints procedure, and keep records of any dispute.

Start with the operator’s published complaints procedure. A dispute about the merits of an individual player claim may be referred to the relevant ADR entity. The MGA’s Player Support Unit considers regulatory complaints within its compliance role; it does not automatically take a player’s side.

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.

Since 1 April 2019, the MGA’s Player Support Unit has separated individual disputes from regulatory complaints. The operator’s procedure must identify the relevant ADR entity. An unresolved dispute is not automatically adjudicated by the MGA; suspected regulatory breaches can still be reported to the Authority.

Use the MGA’s official complaint channel to report concerns within its remit. Provide clear details and supporting records, and follow the current instructions on that page. This is separate from obtaining an ADR determination of an individual dispute.

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. 

Regulators use different licensing categories, application procedures and complaint arrangements. Compare their published requirements and the operator’s actual licence rather than treating an application-time estimate or a simple rating as a guarantee of protection.

Curaçao: the Curaçao Gaming Authority administers the current licensing framework under the LOK reform. Check its current requirements and register; a fixed two-to-four-week processing promise is not established here.

Gibraltar: gambling licensing and supervision are handled through the Gambling Division, including the Licensing Authority and Gambling Commissioner. These are distinct roles; check the current gambling framework and licence status directly.

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 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.
• 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. 
• Check a new operator’s current licence and approved website in the regulator’s register. Its age alone neither establishes nor rules out reliability.
• If you’re equally fond of slots and sports betting, prioritize Malta sites that offer both casino and sportsbook segments. 
• 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.