Malta (MGA) Gaming License
The Tier-1 EU gaming license - strongest institutional credibility signal, mandatory for EU-facing B2C operators, and a competitive moat for serious operators.
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) license is the credibility ceiling for European gaming operators. It unlocks EU banking, institutional investors, and premium game provider agreements. The application is rigorous, the standards are high, and the documentation requirements are extensive - which is exactly why the license is valuable. Simply Alpha manages the full MGA application process end-to-end.
License scope.
- B2C Gaming Service License - casino, sportsbook, poker, bingo
- B2B Critical Supply License - platforms, aggregators, game studios
- Type 1 (RNG casino), Type 2 (sportsbook), Type 3 (P2P/poker), Type 4 (lottery)
- EU-wide market access (with member-state registration)
- Strong acceptance from Tier-1 banks and institutional LPs
Cost
Investment range
Application fees, regulatory capital, and local compliance officer costs typically total €75K–€150K in year one, with ongoing annual regulatory fees tied to gaming revenue. Full engagement cost depends on scope, number of license types, and team structure.
Timeline
Typical path
Typical timeline is 6–12 months from engagement start through license issuance, driven by the MGA's multi-stage review (business plan assessment, financial review, operational readiness, and systems audit).
How we run the application.
- 01Gap assessment - evaluate readiness against MGA standards before filing.
- 02Corporate and governance setup - Malta entity, director structure, local compliance officer.
- 03Business plan and financials - three-year forecasts, audit-grade financial modeling.
- 04Policies and controls - AML/KYC, responsible gaming, player protection, ToS, fraud prevention.
- 05Technical submission - systems audit, DR/BCP, hosting, RNG certifications.
- 06MGA application and review - managing multi-stage correspondence through license grant.
MGA applications are one of the most documentation-intensive processes in gaming. Our team runs this from the regulator's perspective - we know what MGA reviewers flag, what triggers delays, and how to pre-empt the most common rejection reasons.
Considering other jurisdictions?
Ready to apply?
Book a licensing call. We'll map your application, cost, and timeline in one session.
