Malta

Launching an iGaming company in Malta involves three key steps, each designed to establish a solid foundation for your business. Here's how MGL helps turn your vision into a fully compliant Maltese entity.

Step 1: Initial Consultation and Planning

The journey begins with a detailed review of your business goals and regulatory needs. MGL conducts background checks, including fit and proper tests, to ensure you meet the Malta Gaming Authority's (MGA) standards. During this phase, you’ll work closely with MGL's consultants to define your company structure and determine the required share capital.

For companies seeking Type 1 or Type 2 licences - covering activities like casinos, lotteries, virtual betting, and fixed-odds betting - the minimum share capital is €100,000. Meanwhile, Type 3 and Type 4 licences, which include peer-to-peer gaming and fantasy sports betting, require €40,000. If your business spans multiple gaming types, the total share capital required could reach up to €240,000. This planning stage ensures your company is structured to meet both your operational needs and regulatory obligations.

Step 2: Documentation and Regulatory Compliance

The next step focuses on preparing and submitting the necessary documents. Every individual involved - whether as a shareholder, director, or company secretary - must provide attested copies of their passport, proof of address, curriculum vitae, proof of income, and official identification. For corporate shareholders, certified documents such as certificates of incorporation and beneficial ownership forms (if ownership exceeds 25%) are required.

Key incorporation documents include the Memorandum and Articles of Association, which outline your company type, proposed name, registered office in Malta, business activities, and share capital structure. You’ll also need to provide proof of share capital deposit, such as a bank slip or confirmation from a local bank. MGL ensures your business plan aligns with MGA regulations and supports compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements by implementing strong internal controls.

Step 3: Company Registration and Licensing

The final step is the formal registration of your company with the Malta Business Registry, followed by the submission of your MGA licence application. Registration fees range from €100 to €2,250, depending on your share capital and the format of your submission. Once approved, registration typically takes 1–3 days.

MGL also manages the MGA licence application, which involves a one-time non-refundable fee of €5,000. The licensing process includes a thorough evaluation of your business and technical capabilities, as well as an independent system audit to ensure your platform meets security and compliance standards. Annual licence fees depend on the type of licence: Type 1, 2, and 3 B2C licences cost €25,000 each year, Type 4 B2C licences are €10,000 annually, and B2B Critical Gaming Supply licences range from €10,000 to €25,000 depending on the services provided.

During this stage, MGL secures your registered office and obtains essential identification numbers. The team also assists with integrating payment solutions and ensures your platform meets all required security standards before going live.

"The MGL team is ready to help you at every stage of this process."

Once your company is operational, MGL offers ongoing audits and administrative support to maintain compliance.

Malta provides several corporate structures tailored to the needs of iGaming businesses. Each option is designed to address different operational demands and growth strategies. Here's a breakdown of the main entity types to help you decide which one suits your gaming venture.

Private Limited Company

The Private Limited Company (Ltd) is the go-to choice for many iGaming operators in Malta. This structure is particularly appealing to small-to-medium businesses due to its limited liability and operational flexibility.

"Most iGaming companies in Malta opt for a Limited Liability Company due to its flexibility and limited liability protection." – Scaleo

To establish a Private Limited Company, you’ll need a minimum authorised share capital of €1,165, with at least 20% of it paid up during incorporation. The structure allows for a single shareholder and one director, and it can accommodate up to 50 shareholders. The company name must include "Limited" or "Ltd" as a suffix.

However, there are restrictions on share transfers, and shares cannot be offered to the public. For larger-scale operations, another structure might be a better fit.

Public Limited Company

The Public Limited Company (PLC) is ideal for larger iGaming businesses with ambitious growth goals. This structure allows for public fundraising and enables companies to trade shares on public exchanges, making it a great choice for operators seeking investment or planning a public listing.

A PLC requires a minimum authorised share capital of €46,587.47, with at least 25% paid up at the time of incorporation. Unlike a Private Limited Company, a PLC must have at least two shareholders and two directors, and it can accommodate an unlimited number of shareholders. The company name must include "PLC" as a suffix.

One key requirement for PLCs is the appointment of a statutory auditor who resides in Malta, ensuring comprehensive financial oversight. The ability to offer shares to the public makes this structure particularly attractive to businesses aiming for large-scale expansion.

Holding Company

For businesses operating across multiple markets, a Holding Company offers a strategic way to centralise control and achieve tax efficiency. This structure, established within a Private or Public Limited framework, focuses on managing and owning subsidiaries while optimising tax arrangements.

Maltese holding companies are known for their tax advantages, making them a popular choice for iGaming groups with international operations. They can reduce the effective tax rate on profit distributions to as low as 5% through refundable tax credits. Additionally, share disposals and dividend income may qualify for exemptions, and foreign tax credits help mitigate double taxation issues.

This structure allows businesses to establish subsidiaries in various countries to serve local markets while maintaining centralised management and ownership through the holding company in Malta. It simplifies governance, enhances tax efficiency, and provides flexibility for future growth or restructuring.

Feature Private Limited (Ltd) Public Limited (PLC) Holding Company Structure Minimum Share Capital €1,165 €46,587.47 Based on underlying structure Paid-up Capital Required 20% 25% Based on underlying structure Minimum Shareholders 1 2 Based on underlying structure Maximum Shareholders 50 Unlimited Based on underlying structure Public Share Offering Prohibited Permitted Depends on structure Tax Benefits Standard 35% rate Standard 35% rate Potential 5% effective rate Best For Small-to-medium operators Large businesses seeking capital Multi-jurisdictional groups

When deciding on an entity type, think about your funding needs, growth ambitions, and operational complexity. Many new iGaming businesses opt for a Private Limited Company because it’s straightforward and cost-effective. As companies grow, they often transition to a PLC structure or adopt a holding company model to support international expansion. Malta’s regulatory framework provides a solid foundation for whichever structure aligns with your business goals.