Malta
Malta began licensing online gambling sites in 2000 under the Public Lotto Ordinance. Since then, the Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA) has developed its policies and procedures of remote gambling operations.
In April of 2004, the Remote Gambling Regulations were revamped and now offer four classes of remote gambling licenses. Class 1 is for operators providing online casino games, games of chance, and games that use a random number generator. The Class 2 gaming license is for online sports and betting operators. The Class 3 license is for advertisers and promotion companies that operate from Malta. Class 4 licenses are for companies that host and manage remote gaming operations but are not themselves operators. Each license type has a five-year duration.
All licensees must pay an initial licensing fee of MTL 1,000. There are also recurring licensing fees. The gaming tax is 0.5% of turnover.
Companies that are granted a Maltese license are not permitted to take bets from the island's citizens.
In March of 2005, the first Malta Remote Gaming Council (MRGC) was elected. The Council encompasses all remote gaming operators and service providers. The MRGC launched an online forum for the purpose of allowing all operators and service providers to discuss legal, technical, and administrative issues.
In September 2007, Malta made the United Kingdom’s “white list” of countries that match England’s stringent gaming regulations. As a result, the number of licensees in Malta has seen a steady rise.
