MGA Malta Licence — Cost & Bank Account

§ Banking

MGA is the benchmark — every other licence gets compared to it

§ Recent regulatory changes

1. 2024

   MGA compliance-contribution ceilings revised

   The 5% compliance contribution structure remained, but the floor/ceiling bands were revised — €15k floor for Type 1 (B2C casino), €375k ceiling. Mid-volume operators saw effectively flat costs; high-volume operators (>€7M GGR) saw small reductions vs the prior schedule.

2. 2025–26

   AML transaction monitoring expectations

   Both the MGA and Maltese banks have raised expectations around live transaction monitoring stacks (Sumsub, Notabene, or equivalent) and named MLRO appointments. Operators on the older MLRO-as-a-service model are getting pushed toward in-house MLRO + named transaction-monitoring vendor.

§ Frequently asked

What does an MGA licence cost all-in for 2026?

Headline: €25k application + €25k annual licence + 5% compliance contribution (€15k floor / €375k ceiling) + 35% corporate tax (effective ~5% post 6/7ths imputation refund on dividends to non-Maltese shareholders). All-in including legal, compliance staffing, audit, MLRO, and substance: €350–500k for the first year, ~€280–400k/year in steady state for a €5M GGR operator. Use the licence-cost calculator for your own GGR and structure.

How long does MGA licensing take in 2026?

Realistic timeline: 16–24 weeks from complete application. The MGA conducts substance interviews and full UBO due diligence — both add weeks no offshore regulator imposes. Operators who pre-engage with the MGA at scoping stage (often via Maltese law firms) compress timelines by 3–4 weeks.

Is the 5% effective corporate tax real?

Yes, via Malta's 6/7ths imputation refund mechanism: Maltese companies pay 35% corporate tax, then non-Maltese shareholders receiving distributed dividends apply for a 6/7ths refund of the underlying tax, netting an effective ~5%. The mechanism has been in place since 1994 and is fully EU-blessed. Substance requirements are increasingly enforced post-BEPS — operators using Maltese letterbox structures without real local activity have had refunds denied in 2024–25.

Do I need a Maltese-resident director?

Yes — at least one director must be Maltese-resident, and the MGA requires evidence of genuine operational substance in Malta (not just a registered office). Operators typically appoint a Maltese-based KFH (Key Function Holder) and ensure board meetings happen physically in Malta. Substance is also the qualifying condition for the 6/7ths refund.

Which banks accept MGA-licensed operators?

The widest pool of any iGaming licence: Maltese banks (Bank of Valletta, APS Bank with restrictions), EU EMIs across Lithuania/Estonia/Malta, multiple specialist offshore partners, plus the better-tier mainstream EU banks for operators with clean EU/UK ownership. Pre-approval rates ~85–95% — best-in-class. We don't publish institution names because relationships shift quarterly.

When is MGA worth the extra cost vs Curaçao?

When banking depth and reputational signal are worth €150–250k/year. Specifically: (1) you serve markets where MGA acceptance matters (UK 'whitelist' status, German interim regime); (2) you bank with mainland EU banks not just specialist EMIs; (3) you have institutional investors or M&A plans where licence quality affects valuation; (4) your UBO geography needs the strongest possible licence to offset enhanced due diligence. For €1–3M GGR operators, the cost gap rarely pays back. For €10M+ operators planning EU expansion, MGA usually does.