MGA License

The Malta Gaming Authority licence, commonly abbreviated MGA, is one of the more established EU gaming licences and a frequent reference point in the iGaming industry. Under the 2018 Gaming Act framework, licences are issued in two main categories: B2C licences for operators offering games to players, and B2B licences for suppliers providing services such as platform technology, payment processing, or content. Within those categories, game-type classes (typically described as Type 1 through Type 4, covering casino-style games, P2P games such as poker, fixed-odds betting, and other controlled skill games) shape the operational requirements. The MGA is one of several recognised gambling licence options operators evaluate.

The application process is documented and predictable, but not fast. Operators submit a fitness-and-properness assessment for owners and key persons, a detailed business plan, technical documentation covering platform integrity and player protection, financial projections, and AML/KYC procedures. Approval timelines typically run 6 to 12 months. Ongoing compliance requires technical audits, player-fund segregation, responsible gambling controls, regular reporting, and adherence to AML obligations aligned with EU 5AMLD and 6AMLD. The compliance load is heavier than offshore alternatives such as Curacao, which is why the choice often comes down to which markets the operator wants to access, since several payment processors and ad networks treat MGA-licensed operators differently from offshore-licensed ones. The trade-off is detailed in Curacao vs MGA licence.

For affiliate programs, the MGA licence carries direct operational implications. Affiliates promoting MGA-licensed operators must respect responsible marketing rules, advertising restrictions around vulnerable groups, and accuracy requirements on bonus and odds claims. Many operators require affiliates to sign compliance addenda, complete know-your-affiliate checks, and use approved creative templates. Failure to police affiliate conduct can put the operator licence at risk, so MGA holders typically invest more heavily in affiliate compliance program infrastructure than operators in lighter-touch jurisdictions. The MGA vs UKGC licence comparison shows how Malta sits between offshore options and the stricter UK regime.