About Malta Global License
The authority responsible for licensing and regulating the iGaming sector—online casino, sports betting, poker, bingo and related remote gaming—in our jurisdiction. We protect players, ensure integrity and support a well-regulated industry.
Mission
To license and supervise iGaming—online betting, casino, poker, bingo and related activities—in a manner that ensures integrity, protects players and the public, and maintains confidence in the industry.
We apply the law fairly and consistently and support licensees in meeting their obligations in regulated markets. Our work underpins consumer trust and enables legitimate operators to offer their services in jurisdictions that recognise our standards.
We are committed to a risk-based, proportionate approach: we set clear expectations, monitor compliance and take action when necessary. We also engage with other regulators, government and industry to promote a sustainable and well-regulated global market.
Role
We are the single regulatory body for iGaming in our jurisdiction. Our functions include assessing applications for licenses, monitoring compliance, enforcing the regulatory framework and issuing guidance.
Our licensees operate in multiple jurisdictions; we work with other regulators where required by law and through memoranda of understanding. We do not endorse or promote gambling—we regulate it so that where it is permitted, it is fair, safe and clear of crime.
The Authority is established under the Gaming Act (Cap. 583) and is accountable to the legislature. We are funded by fees and charges paid by applicants and licensees, and we operate independently in our regulatory decisions.
History and context
Malta Global License was established under the Gaming Act to regulate remote gaming when the industry was in its infancy. Over two decades we have evolved from a niche jurisdiction to one of the world's leading licensing hubs for iGaming operators and B2B suppliers.
Our jurisdiction was among the first to introduce a dedicated legal framework for remote gaming, with clear licensing categories, fit-and-proper requirements and ongoing obligations. That framework has been updated to reflect technological change, international standards and lessons learned from supervision and enforcement.
Key milestones
- 2001Enactment of the Gaming Act (Cap. 583) and establishment of the Authority as the single regulator for remote gaming.
- 2004Introduction of B2B licensing for critical gaming supply; first major jurisdictions recognise Malta-licensed operators.
- 2010Strengthening of player protection and responsible gambling requirements; enhanced fit-and-proper standards.
- 2018Alignment with EU and international standards; expanded guidance on AML, technical standards and compliance.
- 2022Digital transformation of application and reporting systems; publication of licence verification service for the public.
What we regulate
No person may provide remote gaming to the public, or supply critical gaming systems to such providers, without the appropriate licence issued by the Authority. The following activities fall within our remit.
Remote casino
Online slots, table games, live dealer and other casino-style games offered to players.
Sports and event betting
Fixed-odds and pool betting on sports, esports and other events, including in-play betting.
Poker
Online poker rooms, cash games and tournaments.
Bingo and lottery-style
Remote bingo and other lottery or number-based games.
B2B supply
Platforms, games, RNG, payment systems and other critical supply to licensed operators.
Licence holders must comply with the law, their licence conditions and any codes or guidance we issue. We assess applications against published criteria and we monitor compliance through returns, audits and thematic work. For full details on licence types and requirements, see our licensing and compliance pages.
Key functions
Our work is organised around five core functions. Together they deliver the Authority's statutory objectives and support a credible, well-regulated iGaming sector.
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Licensing and authorisation
We assess applications for B2C and B2B licences against the law and our published criteria. We carry out fit-and-proper assessments of applicants and key persons, and we grant, vary, transfer and revoke licences in accordance with the Act.
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Compliance and supervision
We monitor licensees through returns, audits and thematic reviews. We set expectations in codes and guidance and we take supervisory action when obligations are not met. Our approach is risk-based and proportionate.
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Enforcement
Where there is serious or persistent non-compliance, we use our enforcement powers. These include warnings, conditions, fines, suspension and revocation. We work with law enforcement where criminal activity is suspected.
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Guidance and policy
We issue guidance on the law, licence conditions and regulatory expectations. We consult on significant policy changes and we engage with industry and other regulators to promote consistent standards.
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Registers and disclosure
We maintain public registers of licensees and we provide verification tools so that the public can confirm the status of operators. We also publish high-level statistics and outcomes where appropriate.
Values
Our values guide how we work and how we make decisions. They are reflected in our processes, our communications and our relationships with applicants, licensees and the public.
Integrity
We act with honesty and apply our processes without favour. Our staff and decision-makers are bound by strict standards of conduct. We do not allow conflicts of interest to influence licensing or enforcement outcomes, and we expect the same high standards from those we regulate.
Independence
We take decisions based on the law and the evidence, independent of improper influence. Our statutory independence is central to our credibility. We engage with government, industry and the public in an open way, but regulatory decisions are taken by the Authority alone in accordance with the Gaming Act and our published criteria.
Transparency
We communicate clearly about our requirements and our decisions where the law allows. We publish guidance, fee schedules, application processes and high-level enforcement outcomes. We consult on significant changes and explain our reasoning so that applicants and licensees understand what we expect.
Proportionality
We use our powers in a way that is proportionate to risk and outcome. We focus our resources on areas of greatest harm or non-compliance. Our supervisory approach is risk-based: we expect robust systems and controls from all licensees, and we intervene with graduated measures when standards are not met.
How we work
We operate in accordance with the law and our published processes. Applications are assessed against clear criteria; decisions are documented and, where the law allows, we provide reasons. We consult on significant policy changes and we publish guidance so that applicants and licensees know what we expect.
Risk-based supervision
We allocate supervisory resources according to risk. Licensees with larger operations, higher-risk products or a history of issues receive more intensive oversight. We expect all licensees to maintain effective systems and controls and to report material events; we use that information to target our work.
Stakeholder engagement
We engage with government, other regulators, industry bodies and the public. We participate in international fora to promote consistent standards and we work with law enforcement where criminal activity is suspected. We do not lobby for or against gambling—we regulate it within the framework set by the law.
International cooperation
Our licensees operate in many jurisdictions. We work with other regulators through memoranda of understanding, information-sharing arrangements and participation in international bodies. This cooperation helps to ensure consistent standards, supports cross-border enforcement and reduces the risk of regulatory arbitrage.
We recognise that iGaming is a global industry and that effective regulation requires coordination. We share best practice, align where appropriate with EU and international standards, and take account of developments in other jurisdictions when we update our guidance and processes.
For information on the jurisdictions and markets in which our licensees commonly operate, see our jurisdictions page.
Governance and structure
Malta Global License is established under law and operates in accordance with its statutory objectives. The Board is responsible for strategy and oversight; it sets the Authority's priorities and ensures that we have the resources and governance to deliver our mission. The Board does not take individual licensing or enforcement decisions—those are taken by the executive in line with the law and delegated authority.
The executive team is responsible for day-to-day operations and decision-making within delegated authority. Senior roles are set out below. Staff are bound by strict standards of conduct and independence; we do not disclose individual decision-makers in order to protect them from improper influence.
Chief Executive
Overall leadership, strategy and accountability to the Board and the law. Represents the Authority externally and ensures delivery of statutory objectives.
Chief Regulatory Officer
Licensing, compliance and supervision. Oversees application assessment, ongoing monitoring, returns and thematic work. Leads the regulatory policy function.
Chief Legal Officer
Legal advice, enforcement and litigation. Ensures the Authority acts within the law and pursues enforcement action where necessary.
Chief Operations Officer
Operations, technology and corporate services. Ensures efficient and secure systems for applications, registers and internal processes.
Our impact
The Authority licenses hundreds of operators and B2B suppliers who serve players and partners across dozens of jurisdictions. We do not publish real-time figures for commercial and operational reasons, but we maintain public registers and a license verification service so that the public can confirm whether an operator is licensed by us. Our annual reports and published guidance provide further insight into our work and priorities.
2
License types (B2C & B2B)
57+
Jurisdictions where licensees operate
Cap. 583
Gaming Act – legal framework
Get in touch
For questions about the Authority, our role or how we regulate, contact us. For licensing and compliance matters, use the links below.