Online Gambling Laws in Malta

Many know Malta as home to one of the world's leading gambling regulators, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), so it's no surprise that the small island country deems most forms of gambling legal. However, if you're a resident of Malta, you may experience some unique challenges when it comes to gambling. Learn more in our overview of Malta's gambling laws below.

Gambling Regulation by Casino Type

Malta first legalised gambling in 1922 with the enactment of the Lotto Act, which made lottery gambling legal. Still, it wasn't until 2018 that legislation for all other forms of gambling was written in the form of the Gaming Act.

Today, most forms of gambling are legal in Malta, with operators required to hold one or more of the four available licences issued by the Malta Gaming Authority. Let's take a look at how each gambling activity is regulated.

Casino Games

Land-based casino gambling is legal in Malta, and four casinos are currently operating in the country under a Type 1 licence issued by the Malta Gaming Authority. Regulations are very strict regarding these casino venues, with daily inspections to ensure security, player safety and game fairness. No other casino venues are permitted in Malta, e.g., slot halls. Malta residents must be 25 or over to enter the country's casinos, but tourists only need to be 18 or over.

Online casino gambling is legal in Malta and has been since 2004, with the country being one of the first in Europe to regulate the activity. The Malta Gaming Authority is one of the most respected regulatory bodies in the world, so it's no surprise that they currently license some 300 or so popular online casinos. Unfortunately, Malta residents tend to find they are not accepted as players of these MGA-licensed online casinos due to tax reasons.

Poker

Land-based poker gambling is legal in Malta, with operators required to hold the relevant Type 3 MGA-issued licence to offer such games. There are no standalone poker clubs, with games only taking place within the country's licensed casinos.

Online poker is also legal in Malta, with operators again required to obtain a licence. The Maltese people tend to experience some difficulty when it comes to accessing online poker sites licensed by the MGA due to tax issues.

Bingo

Bingo gambling is legal in Malta, and at least five bingo halls are currently operating in the country under licence by the MGA. Bingo events are also run on occasion at the land-based casinos. The game, known locally as Tombola, is popular amongst residents, especially younger generations.

Online bingo gambling is a legal activity in Malta, too, with operators obligated to hold a licence from the MGA. In reality, residents in Malta don't have many options regarding online bingo sites, once again, due to the country's taxation regulations.

Lotteries

Lottery gambling has been legal in Malta since 1922, with the country's first lottery launching in 1934 and operated by the government. Today, the situation is still a monopoly, but a private company, Maltco Lotteries Limited, holds the exclusive rights to provide lottery gaming services in the country. Residents can buy tickets for Lotto, Super 5, Grand Lottery and scratch cards from local retailers.

Online lottery gambling is legal in Malta and has been since 2004. Still, it is also under the monopoly of Maltco Lotteries Ltd. Maltese people looking to play online lottery games for real money can access the company's website and buy lottery tickets and scratch cards there.

Social Gambling and Crypto Casinos

Playing casino games with play chips, i.e. at a social casino, is not mentioned in Malta's current gambling regulations. The same is the case for skins gambling and lootboxes.

As it stands, the Malta Gaming Authority does not permit the acceptance of cryptocurrencies at any of their licensee venues, whether that's offline or online. That means Malta residents looking to play slots, table games or live dealer games with cryptocurrencies must choose a foreign crypto casino at which to do so.

Malta Sports Betting Laws

Sports betting is legal in Malta, with residents able to choose from numerous betting shops in the country for their sports betting action. Operators must hold a Type 2 licence issued by the MGA to offer sports betting services. Amid a growing number of match-fixing allegations in the country, the MGA created the Sports Integrity Department, tasked with tightening this particular aspect of the gambling industry to maintain its excellent reputation.

Online sports betting is also legal in Malta, but due to tax regulations, Maltese people often experience difficulty in finding a locally licensed site to bet on sports. Fantasy sports betting is mentioned in Malta's gambling laws, with the activity legally permitted to be offered by operators holding a Type 4 licence issued by the MGA.

Gambling Age Restriction

The legal gambling age in Malta is 18, but residents residing in the country must be 25 or older to enter land-based casinos. This is designed to encourage venues to focus more on appealing to the many tourists visiting the country.

Tax Regulation

Malta's gambling tax regulation is considered attractive and progressive, with holders of each licence charged varying amounts depending on their annual revenue. MGA-licensed casinos pay between 0.4% and 1.25% tax, sports betting companies pay 0.4% to 4%, and those offering fantasy sports betting pay 0.5% to 2% tax, with the latter paying a higher rate of tax as revenue increases, in contrast to the other three licence categories, whose holders pay less as revenue increases.

What's unique about Malta's gambling tax system is the flat tax rate of 5%, which is charged on revenue generated by Malta residents. As a result, many MGA-licensed sites do not accept players from Malta. Maltese people are not required to pay tax on gambling winnings unless they are professional gamblers, in which case income tax rates apply.

History of Gambling Laws in Malta

Gambling in Malta dates back to ancient Rome, but the first record of gambling legislation is from 1922 with the enactment of the Lotto Act, which made lottery gambling legal in the country. Throughout the rest of the 20th century, other forms of gambling were legalized, including poker, bingo, sports betting and casino gaming. The country's first casino, the Dragonara, was opened as such in 1964.

The Malta Gaming Authority was established in 2001. Shortly after Malta joined the EU in 2004, the country became the first in the region to legalize online gambling, with many online casino slots and live dealer gambling companies flocking to the island for its attractive tax benefits. The MGA is currently regarded as one of the most reputable licensing bodies in the world.

Key Facts

Malta's gambling laws are pretty straightforward, with most forms of gambling legal in the country. Here's a breakdown of the main takeaways:

• Casino gambling is legal in Malta: Operators must hold a licence, there are four casinos, slots halls are not permitted, and many online sites don't accept players from Malta.
• Poker gambling is legal in Malta: There are no poker clubs, games take place in casinos, and online sites tend not to accept Maltese players.
• Bingo gambling is legal in Malta: There are five bingo halls, and the casinos occasionally run bingo games; few online sites accept players from Malta.
• Lottery gaming is legal in Malta: Maltco Lotteries Limited monopolizes offline and online lottery products.
• Sports betting is legal in Malta: Offline and online operators must obtain a licence.