Why is Malta known as the land of the online casinos?

In recent years, it has been fascinating to watch the small island nation of Malta establish an impressive global reputation as the ‘land of online casinos’. Despite being a small nation, with a relatively minor influence on the world stage, this Southern European country has become an international hub for the online gambling industry – and continues to attract operators, investors and players from all over the world.

With its favourable regulatory approach, enticing tax incentives and convenient location, there are numerous factors which have solidified Malta's status as a leading destination for online casinos. People and places can surprise you sometimes, and Malta is no exception – keep reading for our handy explainer! 

Convenient regulations

Malta’s prominence in the online gambling industry can of course largely be attributed to its highly favorable regulatory environment. Established in 2001, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) serves as the regulatory body responsible for overseeing all forms of gaming in Malta, including online casinos, sports betting and poker. Renowned for its rigorous and consistent licensing processes, the MGA aims to ensure that operators adhere to strict standards of integrity, fairness and player protection.

By obtaining a license from the MGA, operators stand to gain a good amount of credibility and legitimacy. Malta’s regulatory framework offers a clear, transparent set of rules and regulations; there’s nothing vague here, as Maltese regulators have established a concise set of rules which avoids confusion and fosters a secure and stable operating environment. This has led to global appeal and numerous online casino operators from around the world have since established a presence in Malta, even some of the top Canadian casinos now have a license from the MGA.

Enticing tax incentives

Alongside its convenient regulatory environment, Malta offers some seriously attractive tax incentives which have brought online casino operators to the nation in droves. The country's corporate tax rate currently stands at 35%, making it one of the lowest in the whole European Union. The nation also offers various enticing tax incentives and rebates for gaming companies, including a reduced rate of taxation on gaming revenue.

These favourable tax policies make Malta an appealing destination for online casino operators seeking to maximise their profits whilst minimising tax obligations. Alongside digital industry leaders and cryptocurrency experts, by establishing their financial operations in Malta, online casinos can benefit from a competitive tax system whilst enjoying access to the European market.

Location, location, location

For many people, Vegas is the first place that springs to mind when thinking about brick-and-mortar casinos. However, Malta’s strategic location makes it an incredibly lucrative gateway to many online markets around the world – making it arguably the best possible location for online casino operators to choose as their base. Not only is Malta an incredible holiday destination, but being situated at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Middle East means Malta is a highly useful location for iGaming businesses, due to its position as a gateway to multiple lucrative markets.

Malta's membership in the European Union also helpfully provides access to the European Single Market, which allows them to easily offer their services to players across the continent. Having a highly advantageous geographical location has propelled Malta to the forefront of the online gambling industry and constantly attracts operators looking to expand their global reach and tap into a broad range of exciting international markets.

Strong infrastructure and local talent

Having been described by some as the Hollywood of the online gambling industry, Malta is home to a pretty impressive number of software developers, fintech experts and skilled marketing professionals. Don’t be fooled by its small size – Malta offers a skilled workforce that can easily cater to the continued needs of the online gambling industry. This is constantly being reinforced by Malta’s growing reputation as the home of online casinos, as more and more industry experts and professionals are being attracted to a career here. If operators want to work with some of the very best minds in the industry, Malta is undoubtedly the place to be.

This small island nation also boasts some seriously impressive telecommunications infrastructure – far from being behind the curve, Malta is instead home to incredibly high-speed internet and state-of-the-art technology, providing the vital infrastructure required to deliver seamless gaming experiences to players all around the world. It’s seriously easy to get set up here, so it’s no wonder that iGaming operators have migrated to Malta in such vast numbers.

The place to be

To put it simply, Malta is the place to be right now for iGaming operators. There is such a strong community here of like-minded people, meaning the nation has become a global epicentre of exciting technological innovation and development. Due to the strength of this community, Malta hosts various fascinating industry events and conferences every year, bringing together key industry stakeholders from all over the world. Events like the Malta Gaming Awards and the SiGMA Summit provide valuable information, vital networking opportunities and exposure to some of the very latest developments in the industry.

Ultimately, Malta has earned its reputation as the ‘land of online casinos’ due to its favourable regulations and tax incentives, strategic location, thriving community and impressive infrastructure. As the global iGaming industry continues to evolve and expand, Malta is sure to maintain its position as a global hub for online casinos for many years to come. 

Players must be 18 years + to partake in any gambling, betting or casino activity. Players are urged to seek help if they require it. Players play at their own risk.