MGA, Malta Gaming Authority

The Malta Gaming Authority offers 4 different gaming license types:

• Class 1 – Is a remote gambling license given to operators to control their own risk on the repetitive games offered by them (best for lotteries and casino games).
• Class 2 – Is a remote gambling license issued to sportsbooks (fixed odds).
• Class 3 – Is a license issued for gaming advertisement in Malta (suitable for poker rooms & peer to peer gaming).
• Class 4 – Is a license to manage and host remote gambling operations (a B2B gambling license).

Spread betting and horse racing are the only gaming types that are not regulated by the MGA in Malta.

Malta online gaming license is also issued for the following:

• Remote gaming
• Racecourse bets and sweepstakes
• Non-profit games
• National lottery
• Gaming devices
• Cruise casinos
• Commercial bingo halls
• Amusement machines
• Advertising lotteries

History of the Malta Gaming Authority

The MGA was created in 2001. It formed part of Malta’s Lotteries and Other Games Act.  This Authority was set up to regulate all the different sectors of the country’s gaming industry. MGA ensures a transparent and fair gaming experience for all players. It also protects vulnerable players. This Gaming Authority also prevents money laundering, corruption, and crime through gambling.

The aim of the Malta Gaming license includes the protection of vulnerable and young people, the protection of player’s rights,s and the promotion of responsible gaming. It also ensures that the gambling industry is free from all forms of criminal activities, including the integrity in gaming services.

Benefits of Gaming at MGA Regulated Casinos

To know if a casino is licensed by the MGA, you can search for the casino on Malta Gaming Authority register. This register is on the website of the MGA. You can search for the casino by typing the casino name in the search registry. It is even simpler if you type the casino’s URL. If the company is not listed on the MGA’s site, then it means that such a casino is a scam and has no gaming license from the MGA.

Take note that checking the search registry of the MGA site is the true test of knowing if a casino is authentic.

1. Players’ Protection

One huge factor that must be considered by players before choosing an online casino is the safety and security of their sensitive data such as their financial and personal details. The MGA regulates online casinos to ensure that they follow the Data Protection Act. It also ensures that sensitive data of the players are completely safe and cannot be used for any ulterior motives.

The MGA does not only regulate the casino to ensure that your data isn’t misused, but it also checks the capability of the company at safeguarding the sensitive data of players against cyber-attacks. It is no longer news that there are several online hackers whose job is to steal people’s data and use it for something bad. If a betting site is found to be incapable of protecting players’ data, such a site will be denied a gambling license from the MGA.

2. Fair Gaming

One other area where the MGA focuses its attention on is its promotion of transparent and fair gaming experience. A casino who wants to apply for the MGA’s license must ensure that its games offer players a fair chance on all games including slots, blackjack, roulette and other games. The result of all the games must be determined by an RNG (Random Number Generator). This ensures that neither the casino nor the provider can alter the outcome of the games.

The MGA also makes sure that casinos give players a lucid indication as to the likelihood of the players winning any game. The best way to ensure this is to use the Return to Player Percent (RTP) rate in the slots’ description. RTP displays the percentage of the money spent on a particular game and the amount that will be returned to the player when he wins.

Betting sites must be very transparent to the players that play with them if they want to get a gaming license from the MGA.

3. Separated Player Funds

Before the MGA grants a gambling license to any online casino, it, first of all, ensures that the casino separates its players’ money from its operating funds. This factor can never be overstated because if the online casino goes bankrupt, the players will not lose the funds in their casino accounts – it will be the casino that will lose its assets and money. The MGA takes this factor very seriously. The Malta Gaming Authority fines any casino that fails to separate its funds from its players’ funds.

4. Casinos’ Accountability

The MGA ensures that all casino operators are accountable for all their actions. Any illegal or irresponsible behavior from online casinos will be punished by the MGA. Online casinos must not breach the terms and conditions put in place by the MGA.

How do I know if the Casino has an MGA license?

To know if a casino is licensed by the MGA, you can search for the casino on the Malta Gaming Authority register. This register is on the website of the MGA. You can search for the casino by typing the casino name in the search registry. It is even simpler if you type the casino’s URL. If the company is not listed on the MGA’s site, then it means that such a casino is a scam and has no gaming license from the MGA.

Take note that checking the search registry of the MGA site is the true test of knowing if a casino is authentic.

Is Malta Gaming License Legit?

MGA is one of the most respected licensing authorities in the world. Any casino licensed by MGA is presumed to be reputable. Players who have any complaints regarding the online casinos licensed by the MGA can visit the Malta Gaming Authority complaints platform.

Conclusion

Malta Gaming Authority is one of the first proper regulators that takes the player safety and protection seriously. If the online casino does not comly with the strict regulations, the MGA takes actions to revoke the licence. In 2019 there was 14 licenses cancelled by the MGA , this and other factors we here at Viabonus.com can highly recommend choosing and MGA-licensed Online Casino.