A Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) license is among the most respected in online gambling. Learn why it’s valued and why you might choose MGA-licensed casinos.
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Amex, Bank Transfer, Bitcoin, Cheque, Mastercard, VisaMGA licensed casinos are those online casinos that have earned a license from the regulator in Malta. These sites have met stringent requirements in order to receive this seal of approval. Here’s an overview of the MGA license and how it fits in with other licenses in the iGaming industry.
In 2001, Maltese authorities established the Lotteries and Gaming Authority to regulate both land-based and online gambling. That made Malta one of the first countries to offer specific licenses for online casinos.
The strength of the Maltese online gambling license increased significantly in 2004, when Malta joined the European Union. With Malta also passing what were known as its Remote Gaming Regulations, it became the immediate leader in online casino licensing in the EU.
In the years since then, Malta has modernized its regulations on several occasions in order to strengthen player protections, responsible gambling measures, and anti-money laundering requirements. In 2015, the Lotteries and Gaming Authority changed its name to the Malta Gaming Authority, while still maintaining the same standards for licensing.
The most significant change in the MGA’s licensing practices came in 2018, when Malta passed a new Gaming Act. Under the system in place since that time, the MGA offers only two types of licenses that cover all forms of online gaming: one for operators offering online gambling games to players, and another for service providers.
The MGA has the broad authority to grant and approve licenses to operators and service providers in the gaming industry. In addition, it conducts regular audits of its license holders, runs tests of software and equipment, and can punish those companies that violate the terms of their licenses, from issuing fines to revoking licenses for serious offenses.
MGA online casinos are broadly accepted as legitimate beyond the borders of Malta, particularly in the EU. However, there are some European countries with stringent local licensing requirements where having an MGA license is not enough to operate legally. Examples include Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden. An MGA license will also often be used as a sign of legitimacy in countries beyond Europe that do not have local regulatory schemes.
An MGA license is a strong signal that an online casino is a safe, trusted, and legitimate place to enjoy gambling. A few key reasons why players should care about playing at MGA casinos include:
Because the MGA uses strict guidelines when issuing licenses and has strong oversight of the companies that it regulates, even new MGA casinos are considered highly reputable throughout the gaming industry.
The MGA requires that its licensed casinos have protections in place for player funds, regularly test their software, and utilize up-to-date encryption standards to protect both personal and financial data.
If a user has an issue with an MGA license holder that can’t be resolved with the casino itself, that player can turn to the MGA’s Player Support Unit in order to file a complaint.
The MGA requires that its licensed casinos allow players to set deposit, betting, and loss limits, have access to voluntary self-exclusion lists, and that operators monitor players to try to recognize signs of harmful activity.
While the MGA license is highly respected around the world, it still has its strengths and weaknesses when compared to other regulatory standards. Here’s a look at how Malta’s licenses stack up to two other major regulators.
An MGA license is primarily used by operators who want to offer online casino games in a number of different countries, often in Europe and beyond. On the other hand, a UKGC license is used exclusively for online gambling in Great Britain.
While both the MGA and UKGC licenses carry a lot of weight in the gaming industry, the UKGC has even more stringent standards, with stronger controls over areas like promotions, advertising, and player protection.
Despite offering the ability to operate in many European nations, the MGA imposes lower fees and tax rates than the UKGC license.
Compared to the highly respected MGA license, a Curacao-based online casino license has a less prestigious reputation, even after recent changes have strengthened regulation by the CGA.
While the CGA license is often used as a signal of legitimacy in jurisdictions that don’t have their own regulatory systems, it doesn’t provide the access to many EU nations that comes with a license from Malta.
A Curacao license offers less player protection, easier compliance standards, and more limited oversight than an MGA license. However, the CGA license is also less expenses, making it attractive to many operators.
Want to make sure that a casino you’re playing at is truly licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority? Here’s a step-by-step guide to verifying the legitimacy of MGA casinos.
First, head to your casino and look for the operator’s licensing information. This should be included prominently on the site, either in a footer or on a page devoted to licensing information. Be sure to look for official logos and marks of the MGA as a sign that the site is licensed in Malta.
Next, take note of the online casino’s license number. You might also want to check the name that the operator is doing business under for this license.
You can now visit the Malta Gaming Authority Licensee Register. There, you can search for the license in question and check to see that it is valid and current. You can also find out if the MGA has taken any regulatory actions against the operator.
If you have questions or concerns about a casino’s license, you can contact the MGA via email, phone, or standard mail.
How are player funds secured under an MGA casino license?
The MGA requires that all licensed casinos hold deposited player funds in segregated accounts that are not used for a casino’s operating costs. This means that even if an online gambling operator runs into financial trouble or declares bankruptcy, player funds should be able to be returned to users.
Can an MGA-licensed casino operate legally in the UK?
While MGA licensed casinos are not prohibited from operating in the UK, that license alone isn’t enough to offer gaming legally in Great Britain. Any operator who wants to offer online gambling in the United Kingdom must obtain a license from the UKGC.
How can I check that a casino is legitimately licensed by the MGA?
First, check the footer of your casino’s website to see the licensing information for that site’s operator. This should include a license number, business name, dynamic MGA seal, and more. You can then verify that this information is correct and valid by searching the MGA’s licensee register.
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