Malta is one of the leading destinations for creating and developing online casinos, bookmakers, and other gaming companies. The island state in the Mediterranean Sea has become an attractive destination for gaming operators due to the well-thought-out regulation of the industry and favorable conditions for the gaming business.
A brief history of gaming in Malta
The Maltese authorities realized the potential of the gaming industry in the early 2000s. 2004, the first Remote Gaming Act was passed, and in 2018, a modern licensing system was launched. Over the years, Malta has improved its legislative framework to meet the high standards and trends of the industry.
Today, more than 300 gaming companies of various profiles are officially registered in Malta – from significant operators and game developers to payment solution providers and management systems. Famous brands such as Betsson, LeoVegas, Kindred, Mr. Green, Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play, and many others are based here. Maltese gaming license is widely recognized in many countries and is highly regarded in the industry.
Advantages of Malta regulation
Malta has the most favorable conditions for the organization of the gaming business:
- A stable and predictable regulatory environment based on responsible gaming principles and transparency. The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) monitors the safety and fairness of the market.
- Favorable corporate tax rate of 5% on gross income from gaming activities and exemption from capital gains and withholding taxes.
- A wide range of licenses – for B2C gaming organizers (online casinos, poker, bookmakers, lotteries, etc.) and B2B companies (software and game developers, management companies, etc.).
- Fast and simplified licensing procedure subject to compliance with MGA requirements. Obtaining a license takes about 8-12 weeks.
- Tax benefits and other preferences for creators of innovative gaming products, developers, and technology companies.
- Well-developed infrastructure for gaming business organizations – qualified lawyers, auditors, marketers, IT specialists, etc.
- The comfortable climate and high quality of life in Malta, in combination with other factors, make the island country a beautiful place to do business.
Setting up a company in Malta for the gaming business
To obtain a gaming license and start a Malta company formation, you must incorporate a legal entity – usually a private limited company.
The incorporation process involves the following basic steps:
- Determining the company’s name and reserving the corporate name.
- Preparing the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company stating the objectives of the company.
- Appointing at least one director of the company and its secretary.
- Gathering the necessary documents for incorporation (certificate of trustworthiness of directors, information on beneficiaries, etc.).
- Submission of documents to the Malta Companies Registry.
- Opening a corporate bank account in Malta or an EU bank.
- Once the registration is completed, the company can obtain the appropriate license from the Malta Gaming Commission.
Thus, Malta provides transparent, fast, and convenient licensing and company formation procedures. The island state is beautiful for the gaming business, with tax benefits, a favorable legal regime, and other factors.