About Malta Jurisdiction

Malta, a small European country situated south of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea, was the first EU member state to regulate Remote Gaming. Established in 2001, the Lotteries and Gaming Authority is a single regulatory body that is responsible for the governance of all gaming activities in Malta including Amusement Machines, Broadcasting Media games, Casinos, Commercial Bingo Halls, Commercial Communication games, the National lottery, Non-Profit games and Remote Gaming. Since being created, the LGA established the following mission statement:

„To regulate competently the various sectors of the lotteries and gaming industry that fall under the Authority by ensuring gaming is fair and transparent to the players, preventing crime, corruption and money laundering and by protecting minor and vulnerable players.”

In 2001 Maltese government enacted the Lotteries and Other Games Act, which aimed to bring all gaming activities, with the exception of land-based casinos, under one comprehensive legislative instrument. The Act vested the Authority with a wide array of powers, thereby providing the necessary tools to implement effective regulation.

The remote gaming sector is the most dynamic and the fastest growing gaming sector in Malta and is regulated under the provisions of the Remote Gaming Regulations. In March 2005, the Malta Remote Gaming Council was launched. This Council brings together all remote gaming licensees, giving them a great opportunity to meet new challenges backed by the inherent advantages of collective effort. LGA also launched an on-line forum aiming to create an on going discussion between all stakeholders, ISP providers, legal and financial representatives in the Malta remote gaming industry.

Malta Licences

There are four different licences granted by the LGA. The first type of licence is for gambling companies providing games that use a random number generator to determine winners. The second type of licence is for sports betting businesses. The third type of license is for gambling advertising companies operating from Malta. The fourth type of licence is for businesses that manage remote gaming operations.

A licence is granted by the Authority for a five year period. On the expiration of such term a licence, it may be renewed for further five-year periods. A licence granted by the Authority may impose conditions relating to, inter alia: the proper operation of interactive games; the protection of players; the prevention of money laundering; exigencies of public interest.

Any company applying for a Malta license must have their software tested 6 months prior to opening for business. Companies must also adhere to a strict code designed to protect players, as well as pay 2,000 Maltese Lira (Lm) fee for a license and 3,000 Lm (or 0.5%) in taxes per month.

Resolution of Complaints and Disputes

The Lotteries and Gaming Authority handles all gambling issues for Malta-licensed gaming companies. Players who are experiencing any problems with an online operator licensed by the Lotteries and Gaming Authority can contact their Players' Support Channel via email at [email protected].

Summing up

The LGA has the following aims and objectives:

• protecting minors and vulnerable persons;

• safeguarding players' rights; promoting responsible gaming in a safe environment;

• ensuring the integrity of games and gaming devices;

• keeping gaming free from criminal activities;

• consolidation of all the regulatory functions relating to gaming activities;

• operating a successful and a fully integrated Authority;

• supporting the industry and technological innovation;

• providing authoritative and accessible information;

• providing a one-stop-shop for licensing.

The activities of the LGA include:

• conducting research on various aspects of gaming;

• granting licences relating to gaming and lotteries;

• monitoring licensed gaming;

• collecting gaming taxes on behalf of the Government;

• supporting good causes;

• ensuring that the sector contributes to the country's development.

For more information visit the LGA’s website at http://www.lga.org.mt/lga/home.aspx

Online casinos with a licence granted by the LGA Malta:

• 7 Sultans Casino

• Betfair Casino

• Betsson Casino

• Betway Casino

• Casino Club

• Casino UK

• CasinoEuro

• Cherry Casino

• Cinema Casino

• Crazy Vegas Casino

• Diamond World Casino

• GoWild Casino

• InterCasino

• Luxury Casino

• Mr Green Casino

• Mummy's Gold Casino

• Redbet Casino

• Roxy Palace Casino

• Ruby Fortune Casino

• Spin Palace Casino

• Sun Vegas Casino

• VIP Casino