Revpanda » Casinos » Licences » Mga casinos

Top Reliable MGA Casinos

Adhering to stringent regulatory standards, the best MGA casinos operate with a consideration for players’ best interests. MGA-licensed casinos are committed to fair and transparent gaming and offer a reliable online gambling experience. Explore the distinctive features of casinos overseen by the Malta Gaming Authority and identify websites that suit your gambling preferences.

Ideal for high-rollers seeking guaranteed and prompt processing of large payouts

The most prominent game providers prefer working with MGA casinos

Transparent bonus offers with clearly disclosed terms and conditions

Author

Barb

Editor

Emre

Last Updated

13/12/24

Read Time

11 mins

Why Trust Revpanda

Revpanda has been operating in the iGaming industry for many years, building strong relationships with online casinos, sportsbooks, and affiliates and supporting their brands’ marketing and growth. We not only help businesses reach new milestones but regularly engage with industry leaders at key events, thus solidifying our position in the market.

With our deep understanding of the sector from direct access to the latest insights, we are able to provide accurate, relevant, and unbiased content that our readers can rely on. Our editorial team follows a strict policy and guidelines and are dedicated to ensuring every article is backed by thorough research and prepared with integrity, helping you make informed decisions with confidence as a result.

When you choose Revpanda as your partner and source of credible information, you’re choosing expertise and trust.

Table of contents

Click on a title to jump to a section

Benefits and Drawbacks of Playing at MGA Online Casinos

Renowned for being able to operate in a highly demanding regulatory environment, the best MGA online casinos offer reliable services. However, those stringent regulatory requirements also give rise to some challenges for players to be aware of. Analyse the pros and cons of playing at MGA casinos to make an informed decision.

Pros

Security and player protection are top priorities

Fair bonuses with clear conditions

Perfect for casino pros seeking timely withdrawals of large amounts

Top-notch casino games from world-renowned software providers

A variety of globally recognised payment methods

Unrivalled responsible gambling tools

Easily accessible dispute resolution channels

Cons

MGA casinos may not be available in some jurisdictions

High compliance costs may negatively impact investment-heavy innovations

Dispute resolutions may take longer due to the MGA's serious approach to complaints

Cryptocurrencies are still not widely accepted by MGA casinos

Overview of MGA Casinos: Regulatory Standards and Licence Types

The first jurisdiction to regulate online gambling in the European Union, Malta is an online gambling pioneer, often dubbed the iGaming capital of the world. The small Mediterranean island country has become synonymous with a comprehensive regulatory framework where only the top online casino sites can operate, establishing unrivalled credibility with players. Here’s an overview of key milestones to better understand MGA-licensed casinos:

Land-based gambling first became legal in Malta in 1921, following the establishment of the country’s Lotto rules.
In 2001, Malta passed the Lotteries and Other Games Act, replaced by the Gaming Act of 2018, becoming the first EU country to establish a legal framework for online gambling and sports betting.
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) was created to oversee online gaming and betting in 2001. Originally known as the Lotteries and Gaming Authority, the MGA is considered a Tier 1 online gaming licence granted to operators adhering to strict regulatory standards, guarantee player safety, and comply with anti-money laundering regulations.

The MGA plays a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of the online gaming industry. It issues warnings and enforces penalties for operators not complying with the established standards while protecting players through regular gambling site audits and intervention programs.

Types of MGA Online Casino Licences

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) issues four types of Gaming Service (B2C) licences. It also grants Critical Gaming Supply (B2B) licences related to the supply and management of games and casino software. These are the four iGaming verticals the MGA licences:

Type 1: Casino, live casino, lotteries, secondary lotteries
Type 2: Fixed odds betting, including live betting
Type 3: P2P games, pool betting, including betting exchanges
Type 4: Controlled skill games, such as fantasy sports

To apply for and obtain MGA casino licences, operators need to pay a €5,000 application fee for a new licence and €5,000 for a renewal. There is a €25,000 non-refundable fixed annual licence fee, as well as a €5,000 annual maintenance cost.

Moreover, companies applying for a licence must have minimum issued paid-up share capital (€100,000 for Type 1 and Type 2 and €40,000 for Type 3 and 4 concessions). The share capital amounts are added cumulatively up to €240,000 for multiple-type licences. So, for online casino startups with limited funds, an MGA licence is probably not the best choice.

MGA Casino Licences at a Glance

Licence Name	Foundation Year	Jurisdiction	Official Website
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)	2001	Malta	Malta Gaming Authority

Revpanda: Helping You Understand Casino Licence Providers

As an award-winning iGaming agency with extensive sectoral experience and a distinct blend of skills and industry knowledge, we can effectively guide players through the complex landscape of regulatory frameworks. When assessing casino licence providers, we:

Seek established and comprehensively regulated environments: To provide players access to world-class casino operators, we present established gaming authorities, such as the MGA and the Isle of Man GSC, where regulators perform strict and meticulous evaluations and set the bar exceptionally high for gambling sites.

Continuously assess emerging markets: Aligned with players’ best interests, we don’t discard more flexibly regulated landscapes like Curacao casinos. As they often allow operators to offer more enticing gaming options and cater to local preferences by incorporating local payment methods and localised bonus offers, we explore emerging markets through key events and regularly organised webinars with industry professionals.

Why Casino Operators Prefer the MGA Licence

An MGA licence demonstrates reliability and assurance. As a Tier 1 gambling concession on the same level as the Isle of Man GSC, UK Gambling Commission, and Gibraltar Gaming Commissioner licences, it is the preferred casino authentication that convinces players and potential business partners of the quality and dependability of a particular casino operator.

Exudes Dependability to Big Money Players

Attracting high-rollers is easiest when casinos operate under a reputable licence. Large-stakes players, especially at VIP casinos, want to ensure they will get their substantial winnings each and every time they make a payout request. As one of the most prominent gambling concessions in the industry, the MGA licence establishes that operators have the necessary resources and systems in place to provide a reliable gaming experience.

Attracts Investors

Investors enquiring about the financials of a casino operator before committing their funds will be instantly convinced of the legitimacy and transparency of MGA-licensed casinos. Moreover, casino operators preparing to undertake an initial public offering (IPO) on stock exchanges, such as Nasdaq or the LSE, won’t face any hurdles when going public. That’s because all the recommendations and audits have already been performed by respected companies.

Projects Stability to Banks and Software Providers

Some banks, payment processors, and casino game providers refuse to work with operators that have Tier 2 gaming licenses. That is not a problem with an MGA licence. A Malta gaming concession conveys assurance to potential partners, as they are aware that an MGA online casino has already gone through comprehensive compliance checks, so collaborating with such an operator won’t be a risky endeavour.

Access to Local European Licences

Due to overlapping procedures, completing the process of obtaining an MGA licence enables casino operators to get local European gaming concessions from regulators, such as the Customs and Monopolies Agency in Italy (ADM) more easily. Essentially, casino operators are preapproved for the local licence, and they only have to go through the formalities of getting the concession.

Why MGA-Licensed Casino Sites are Popular with Players

The MGA requires casinos to meet high operational standards and comply with rigorous regulatory requirements. The goal is to protect players and create a safe and transparent gaming environment. So, it does not come as a surprise that MGA casinos are often the preferred option for players.

"Fit and Proper" Operators

The Malta Gaming Authority performs so-called “Fit and Proper” assessments to determine whether casino operators satisfy criteria such as honesty, integrity, competence, reputation, and financial standing, with a particular focus on the last one. Casinos that don’t get past these due diligence checks cannot obtain a licence.

Strict Responsible Gambling Requirements

The MGA takes responsible gambling very seriously and regularly conducts website checks to determine if players have access to proper responsible gambling tools or partnerships with organisations such as GamCare or GambleAware. If that’s not the case, the casino operator is first warned, then penalised, and, lastly, risks losing the licence.

Obligatory ADR Systems

Casinos licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority must engage an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) entity before they start operating under an MGA licence. The MGA’s approved ADR organisations help players resolve disputes with casino operators in a fair and transparent manner.

Players' Funds and Operational Funds are Reported Separately

The Malta