We introduce a concise overview of a mature gaming ecosystem that supports UK businesses seeking expansion. Malta contributes over 12% to GDP and hosts 300+ gaming companies with a 10,000+ multinational workforce. This history began with remote gaming rules set in 2004 and accelerated after EU accession.
Our article focuses on practical insights for decision-makers: market size, regulation, taxation, costs and timelines. We explain how the sector blends B2C services with B2B supply so your company can spot the right authorisations and partners.
We outline commercial drivers—licence fees, gaming tax on local players, PSP costs and royalty models—so you can forecast budgets. Start Company Formations offers tailored support for incorporation, licensing coordination and compliance. For market-entry guidance and set-up help, call 0204 504 1544.
Industry Report Snapshot: The State of Play in Malta (present)
We present a concise view of present-day KPIs that matter for market entry and scale. Over 12% of GDP now links to gaming activity, with more than 300 companies and 10,000+ professionals on the island.
That number signifies deep capacity for platforms, studios, PSPs and compliance teams. Operators find ready services and talent, which shortens time to market.
Demand concentrates on games, betting and casino products. This shapes hiring, vendor choice and licence mix for a new company.
- Regulatory updates occur frequently across the year; proactive change management is essential.
- Operator concentration varies by licence type and service model; this helps benchmark position and framework.
- Shared services deliver scale advantages for cost control and faster launches.
We connect these insights to practical planning: lead times, team composition and governance. For KPI-led market entry support and entity formation, speak to Start Company Formations on 0204 504 1544.
Defining iGaming: Activities, Services and Scope
We map core activities and product types so you can match offerings to the correct licence class.
Online gaming means staking money on outcomes, whether random or not. Activities cover lotteries, fantasy sports, poker, bingo, online casinos and slot machines, plus fixed‑odds betting on sports.
Each game category brings specific technical and compliance needs. RNG certification, fairness testing and safer play tools matter for players. AML controls and identity checks follow from the product mix.
- We distinguish consumer‑facing services from critical supplies that support other licensed companies.
- Product scope shapes licence requirements and vendor due diligence for PSPs, KYC providers and studios.
- Cross‑border plans require localised messaging, payment routing and language support per country.
Document your full activity list before applying so your licence and controls align with operations. For tailored mapping and licence advice, call 0204 504 1544.
The iGaming Industry in Malta: Size, Role and EU Advantage
A 2004 law and EU membership turned Malta into a practical base for cross‑border gaming operations. That early move created a strong position as a hub for both consumer services and critical supply firms.
Malta’s first‑mover status and Single Market access
First to legislate on remote play, the country leveraged Single Market rules to let licence holders serve EU customers. This gave operators faster routes to scale and reduced friction for market entry.
Why this country became a trusted hub
- Credible oversight: the malta gaming authority enforces a robust regulatory framework that prioritises AML and player protection.
- Market benefits: English use, EU proximity and a dense ecosystem of advisors and vendors shorten timelines for UK business entry.
- Versatile role: firms may operate B2C services or supply B2B technology and game content from a single base.
We translate these advantages into clear market entry plans and coordinate with local stakeholders to de‑risk your first year. Speak to our team on 0204 504 1544 for tailored insights.
Regulatory Framework: Malta Gaming Authority and Governance
Governance and supervision shape how operators run products and protect customers on the island.
MGA’s role, credibility and player protection priorities
malta gaming authority acts as a flagship regulator with robust supervision that prioritises player protection and anti‑money laundering controls.
This gaming authority demands clear policies, a named MLRO and active board oversight to keep a licence in good standing.
Ongoing directives and regulatory updates shaping the sector
New regulations arrive throughout the year, so structured change management is essential for any company that operates here.
We advise a pragmatic compliance calendar to anticipate thematic reviews and supervisory interactions.
Implications for operators, suppliers and related services
- Governance: board duties, reporting cycles and control testing expected by the regulatory framework.
- Product and marketing: safer‑gambling tools, disclosures and retention policies must be embedded.
- Third‑party risk: due diligence on platforms, games and payment vendors is non‑negotiable.
- Incidents: complaints handling and redress mechanisms protect players and your licence.
We guide your governance, risk and compliance set‑up to align with MGA expectations and speed operational readiness. For hands‑on support from our team, call Start Company Formations on 0204 504 1544.
Taxation Landscape for Gaming Companies in Malta
Tax mechanics shape how a company budgets for licence, payment and compliance costs across the year.
Headline corporate tax sits at 35% on profits for remote operators, though specific incentives can lower the effective rate where conditions are met. A separate 5% gaming tax applies to revenue from Malta‑based players and must be modelled alongside corporate obligations.
Who falls inside the tax net?
- Companies incorporated locally, or those deriving or raising income on the island, are generally taxable.
- Licence scope determines which revenue streams attract gaming levies versus corporate tax.
- Typical cost lines—PSP charges and regulatory fees—reduce taxable profit but affect cash flow and forecasting.
We recommend a tight compliance cadence for returns and payments and robust documentation to secure incentives and substance tests. We also model scenarios for UK boards comparing this jurisdiction with alternatives, balancing tax, cost and regulatory certainty. For bespoke structuring and tax advice, speak to Start Company Formations on 0204 504 1544.
Licensing Pathways: B2C and B2B Requirements
We set out clear licensing routes for both consumer platforms and critical suppliers so you can choose the right permission quickly.
B2C gaming service licences: scope and obligations
A B2C licence is needed to offer a service to players via your platform or a third‑party platform. Applicants must show governance, AML controls, safer play tools and technical certification.
Operators must demonstrate fit‑and‑proper personnel, reporting lines and incident handling. Payment integrations and KYC flows form part of technical checks.
B2B critical gaming supply licences: software and game elements
A B2B licence covers supply and management of material game elements, control systems or software that process regulatory records. Suppliers need change control, uptime SLAs, RNG integrity and secure record keeping.
- Documentation: business model, technical design, and governance artefacts.
- Standards: certifications, penetration testing and audit trails.
- Ongoing: material change notifications, periodic audits and named key function roles.
We manage end‑to‑end licence application packs and stakeholder coordination with the malta gaming authority. Our team builds timelines, assigns roles and aligns commercial models across B2C and B2B to reduce rework.
Call 0204 504 1544 to begin your pathway and secure the right licence for your company.
Operating Costs and Commercial Drivers
We break down operating costs so boards can test scenarios and price offerings with confidence.
Licence and gaming fees: We itemise predictable licence and gaming fees, showing which are fixed, variable or volume‑based. This helps a company plan cashflow and capital needs before launch.
Royalty arrangements with platforms and studios
Royalty models vary. Typical terms include revenue share tiers, minimum guarantees and monthly reporting. We map these to forecast gross margins and net revenue for games and supply partners.
Payment service providers: deposit/withdrawal fee dynamics
PSP fees are often percentage‑based on deposits and withdrawals. Add FX, chargeback and compliance costs and you see a clear drag on margins.
- We quantify PSP economics so operators can set sustainable player pricing.
- We integrate gaming tax and corporate cost lines into a single model for board‑level sensitivity testing.
- We recommend vendor due diligence, SLAs and contract terms that align with regulatory obligations and operational resiliency.
- We propose KPI dashboards across conversion, payments, fraud and game performance to drive optimisation.
We build costed roadmaps and vendor strategies to optimise your P&L. Talk to Start Company Formations on 0204 504 1544.
Ecosystem Strength: Talent, Services and Events on the Island
A dense local network of expertise makes scaling faster for companies that choose this hub.
Malta hosts over 300 companies and a workforce exceeding 10,000 multinational professionals. That concentration gives UK firms ready access to a skilled team across product, compliance, data, CRM and payments.
SiGMA and the annual events calendar
Flagship gatherings such as SiGMA drive deal flow, recruitment and knowledge sharing. Events help new entrants meet vendors, legal advisers and potential partners in compressed timeframes.
- Talent depth: specialists for product, compliance and payments are available for hire or consultancy.
- Service map: legal, audit, accounting, PSPs, studios and platform providers form a ready supply chain.
- Team practicalities: relocation support, hybrid work norms and campus‑style office clusters ease builds.
- Community advantage: dense networks accelerate learning curves for UK business entering this sector.
- Onboarding sequence: we recommend supplier priority, governance sync and staged technical integration to align launches.
We connect you with vetted local partners and hiring pipelines. Call 0204 504 1544 for ecosystem introductions and a tailored plan that shortens your first years on the island.
Trends, Risks and Opportunities for UK Operators
Timing matters: new rules and market moves are changing how UK firms expand overseas. We help boards stay ahead with clear, practical insights and milestones to guide decisions.
Regulatory updates arrive often, so operators must plan for safer‑gambling shifts, technical reporting and tighter AML checks. This country remains proactive, with industry support for reforms that protect players and reputation.
Opportunities lie in product innovation, cross‑border partnerships and compliant structuring to access extra EU markets. We map sequencing so business growth matches governance maturity and funding phases.
- Assess rules affecting operators and adapt controls over time.
- Mitigate risks like PSP policy changes, fraud and compliance drift.
- Optimise payment flows to cut costs while keeping strong AML defences.
- Diversify country portfolios to reduce exposure and capture scale.
We convert industry pace into advantage by advising on entry timing, investment sequencing and board oversight. For tailored support and next steps, speak with us on 0204 504 1544.
Advancing Your iGaming Expansion with Start Company Formations
We translate regulatory detail and commercial choices into a deliverable plan for your company.
Our team offers end‑to‑end support for company formation, licence applications with the malta gaming authority and ongoing compliance. We cover banking, payment flows, treasury and real estate introductions to speed set‑up.
We model tax exposures—corporate at 35% and a 5% gaming tax on Malta‑based players—and design a compliance operating model for AML, safer gambling and reporting.
For practical support that aligns activities, games and supply risks with MGA expectations, call Start Company Formations on 0204 504 1544 or message our team to begin.
