Online Casinos in Malta

Author: Steven D. Thompson

Updated: 07/11/2024 11:21 AM

Malta is a small yet very captivating island in the Mediterranean, and it has become a very prominent player in the online casino industry. Thanks to its robust regulation, this country has become a prime destination for online casinos and gambling enthusiasts. So, how does the world of online gambling work in Malta? Let's provide you with expert insight into the entire industry on the island.

Table of Contents

Online Casino Regulation in Malta

Malta is a pioneer in online gambling regulation. They were one of the first countries in Europe to regulate the industry, issuing their first licences in 2004.

Online gambling is legal and regulated under the Gaming Act of 2018, which consolidated and updated the previous regulatory framework. The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) oversees all gambling activities. The MGA promotes responsible gambling, implementing various measures to protect players. In 2021, updates to the Player Protection Directive included changes to the minimum RTP for casino games.

Note that only legal entities established in the EU or EEA may apply for a gaming licence in Malta. Four different game types are recognised under the Gaming Act:

Games of chance that include online slot machines, scratchcards, lotteries (including secondary), as well as virtual casino games.
Games of chance played against the house through a matchbook, which would include fixed-odds betting.
Gaming services that are played in a player vs player manner—poker, bingo, and betting exchanges.
Controlled skilled casino games, fantasy betting, and other similar verticals.

So, all in all, Malta's online gambling regulations are considered to be some of the most comprehensive and well-respected in the world. The MGA has a strong reputation for being fair and transparent, and its regulations are designed to protect both players and operators. Here is a short rundown on the key points in the country's gambling landscape:

1992: Lottery was legalised in Malta.
2001: The Malta Gaming Authority was established.
2004: Malta becomes the first country to legalise online gambling.
2018: The new Gaming Act is introduced to overhaul the entire gambling landscape.

Introduction to Online Casinos in Malta

The MGA is in charge of overseeing and licencing the entire online gambling sector in the country. Its range of stringent regulations ensures a safe and fair gambling environment for players, which is very important since online casino gaming is a very popular activity among Maltese residents.

Malta is considered to be the leading country in terms of online gambling. Most of the well-established and most profitable online casinos hold an MGA licence, which should not be surprising given the low tax rates imposed on them, especially when you compare them to other regulators, such as the UKGC.

Moreover, there are hardly any restrictions regarding payment methods used for online gambling in Malta. For example, there are cases in some countries where regulators forbid the use of credit cards, but that is not the case in the MGA.

The bottom line is that if you search for an MGA online casino to start your gambling endeavour, you are well stocked with options. As you can see from our recommendations, there are dozens of reputable online casinos with an MGA licence, so you will surely find one to cater to your preferences.

How to Start Playing at Online Casinos in Malta

Now that you know all the technicalities regarding the Maltese online casino market, you might feel eager to start your online gambling journey. Well, we cannot blame you, so here is a short rundown on how you can start playing your favourite games in no time.

Step 1

Choose from Our Online Casinos in Malta

All our suggested Malta online casinos are 100% safe and reputable. We put great emphasis on only suggesting top-class casino sites, so you won't do much wrong with choosing any of the operators listed here.

Step 2

Register & Verify Your Account

Once you make your choice, it will be time to complete the short registration process on the site. Enter the required personal details and you are all set. Most Maltese online casinos will seek to verify your account instantly by sending an email with a verification link.

Step 3

Make Your First Deposit

To start playing the real-money games on the site, you will need to top up your online casino account. Choose from one of the associated payment methods and make your first deposit. Note that each casino may have a different minimum deposit amount.

Step 4

Claim the Welcome Bonus and Play

Before playing, don't forget to check whether there is a hefty welcome casino bonus to claim to enhance your gameplay. If there is, see the eligible games and start playing; a wide array of titles from the leading game providers in the industry await you!

How We Compare and Rank Malta Online Casinos

As mentioned above, our sole focus is to suggest the best online casinos for our readers. As a customer-centric team of online gambling experts, we know which boxes a casino must tick to offer a seamless, thrilling and safe gambling experience. Here are the criteria we consider.

Licence & Reputation

First off, the site we review must offer a safe gambling platform and be licenced by the MGA. That way, we know the site uses encryption protocols to protect your personal data. Additionally, our experts always check the online reputation of the casino to get the complete picture.

Casino Games Library

Games are the cornerstone of each Maltese online casino. Therefore, we are thorough in checking which game providers the site has partnered with and how neatly organised the game catalogue is. The best providers will ensure that the game library is constantly updated with new entries.

Casino Bonuses

Casino bonuses and ongoing promotions can help you enhance your gameplay by boosting your bankroll. As such, much of our focus goes to the Promo section of the operator—how versatile the bonuses are and how user-friendly their T&Cs are.

Payment Methods

Each player has different preferences for their deposits and withdrawals, so we seek an abundance of options. Apart from the payment methods themselves, we always inspect for any possible transaction fees and processing times.

Top Malta Online Casinos by Category

Even though all casino sites we suggest feature a world-class offer, it is only natural for each of them to be better at one category compared to some of the rest of the sites. So, to help you narrow down your quest for the perfect Malta casino, here is how our suggested casinos rank by category.

Category	Casino
Best Crypto Casino in Malta	Rembrandt
Best New Casino in Malta	YugiBet
Best VIP Casino in Malta	Betstro
Best Fast Withdrawal Casino in Malta	Novibet

Maltese Casino Bonuses

Bonuses are where Malta-licenced casinos can express their imagination and innovation. As such, as a registered player at one of our recommended casinos in Malta, you can look forward to a plethora of rewarding bonuses, but let's take a look at the most common ones.

Welcome Bonus

Welcome bonuses are a frontline method used by Maltese online casinos to welcome players to register and encourage them to deposit. Welcome bonus offers can only be claimed once, and they have a strict timeline you have to follow. Such offers are usually valid from the moment you register and make your first deposit, after which you will have a certain period to complete the wagering requirements and use the bonus.

The structure of the welcome bonus can vary, but usually, you can expect a deposit bonus of up to a certain sum, maybe even coupled with a few free spins for a slot game. That way, you can get a taste of the casino's offer straight away with minimum losses from your side.

Reload Bonus

Reload bonuses can come in many different forms, but they will all have the same principle: boost your bankroll and encourage you to deposit more and play real money games. As you can imagine, such offers are most aggressively pursued and offered by online casinos, as they often require players to make a minimum deposit.

Deposit bonuses are great tools for casinos to retain players and possibly re-engage with some if they haven't been active for longer periods. To further incentivize players to use the deposit bonus money, they often have strict expiration periods.

Free Spins

Moving on, bonus spins, aka free spins, are arguably the most common type of promotion you will encounter at our suggested online gambling sites in Malta. Such offers can act as a standalone promotion, be part of a tournament's prize or come as a package with deposit bonus offers.

Casinos usually offer free spins on certain days of the week and they will always be valid for a strict, predetermined range of slot machines. Before you claim the free spins offer, please be aware that winnings generated with them are always subject to wagering requirements.

Cashback Promotions

Every casino that seeks to build a long-term relationship with its registered players must consider offering cashback incentives. Players can sometimes be on a bad patch of gambling, so a cashback incentive will maybe stop them from leaving the site in a negative mood.

Fixed or variable cashback deals based on your losses/deposits over a predetermined period can help you recoup some of your incurred losses. What's even better, it is quite common for cashback funds to not be subject to any wagering requirements, so you'll get them as a real money balance.

VIP Programs

The most loyal players at online casinos Malta can look forward to various perks that they can get in return for their loyalty and continuous real-money gameplay on the site. The best online casinos with a Malta Gaming Authority licence often feature a multi-layered VIP program which every player can enter.

The advantages of climbing the VIP levels can vary, but they often include better cashback deals, invitations to special events, faster payouts, personal VIP manager, personalised promotions, and so on.

Popular Payment Methods for Maltese Online Casinos

Regardless of the casino you choose for your next online gambling endeavour, you can look forward to a versatile payment method list. From cards, e-wallets, and all the way to cryptocurrencies, let's take a look at the most widespread payment options at Maltese casinos:

Payment Method	Description
Credit & Debit Cards	You can use the likes of VISA, Mastercard, American Express, and co. to make 100% secure deposits and withdrawals. However, note that some banks may process payouts slower, and it may take a few days for the money to reach your bank account.
E-Wallets	E-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller have exploded in popularity in recent years. Setting up an e-wallet account is very easy and you can always top it up with your card. A big advantage of e-wallets is that they process payouts much faster, but note that bigger transaction fees apply.
Prepaid Vouchers	Not as widespread as e-wallets and cards, but prepaid vouchers like paysafecard offer a safe way to deposit funds without entering any sensitive financial details. Just order your voucher online or buy it from a retail store, and you will be able to make deposits by just entering the 16-digit PIN you get with the voucher.
Mobile Payments	Since a large portion of Maltese players gamble via their mobile devices, options like Google Pay and Apple Pay are very widespread. You can fund them with various credit/debit cards, but note that they can only be used for deposits.
Cryptocurrencies	Using the likes of Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, etc. will offer you instant payouts, near-anonymous payments, and low transaction fees. Purchasing digital assets is possible via exchange platforms, after which you can always use them to gamble online.

Note that every online casino you find on our list has minimum and maximum deposit and withdrawal limits, which can also vary depending on the payment method you use.

Mobile Gambling & Casino Apps in Malta

Mobile gambling is on the rise all around the world, and it will surely continue to flourish. Mobile casinos are very convenient, as they allow players in Malta to access their favourite games at their own leisure without having to be tied to a laptop at their home.

Moreover, the advancements in technology have allowed casinos to offer intuitive user interfaces on their mobile websites, as well as responsive designs and seamless gameplay. Some of the best online casinos in the country have even gone a step further and have crafted mobile apps to further boost the user experience.

Online Casino Games in Malta

In short, the variety of casino games in Maltese online casino sites is vast and diverse, which seems like the bare minimum for reputable operators nowadays. Choosing one of our suggested casinos means that you will get exclusive access to several casino type games, all generally grouped into the following categories.

Online Casino Slots

Online slots make up the vast majority of games at Maltese sites, so it is safe to say that they are the beating heart of any operator. Such games are easy to play and come in many different varieties, such as:

Classic Online Slots

Video Slots

Progressive Jackpots

3D Slots

Simple games with just three reels that seem reminiscent of old-school slot machines. These titles usually don't come with additional bonus features - instead, you will only get to secure wins with base game symbols like cherries, BARs and 7s.

All slots run on the RNG mechanism, which guarantees fair and unbiased outcomes. Many titles come with in-built bonus features such as free spins, multipliers, bonus rounds, etc. which guarantee extra excitement.

Live Casino Games

Live casino games will bring the real casino experience to the screen of your device. These games feature live dealers and physical equipment, and the action is streamed directly to you from a studio the provider or the casino uses. Some of the most popular live casino games include: Live blackjack, live roulette, live baccarat, live poker, şive game shows.

Live dealer games offer a more social experience, as you can communicate with friendly and professional dealers through the live chat function.

Table Games

Unlike live casino games, virtual table games run on the RNG mechanism, and they are popular among Maltese punters due to the fact that they have a lower house edge than online slots. If you enjoy more traditional gambling, here are some popular table games, which also come in numerous variants: Blackjack, roulette, poker, baccarat, craps.

Video Poker

Moving on, video poker games are titles that include elements from both poker and online slots. Numerous games are available under this category, with some notable mentions being: Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Joker Poker, Multi-Hand Video Poker.

Specialty Games

Finally, for all punters from Malta who would like to spice up and diversify their online gambling journey a bit, here are a few speciality games they can try out: Keno, bingo, scratchcards, crash multiplier games.

Popular Online Slots for Maltese Players

If you are a big fan of casino slots, we would understand if you don't know where to start. After all, the choice is so vast, it can be overwhelming for new punters. Nonetheless, we can give you a helping hand by selecting our picks of the top 10 slots to play right now in Maltese sites:

Game	Provider
Starburst	NetEnt
Rise of Olympus	Play'n GO
Aztec's Millions	Realtime Gaming
Power of Gods Medusa	Wazdan
Age of the Gods	Playtech

Top 10 Live Casinos in Malta

Ready to experience the thrills of live casino games? Here are 10 online live casinos active in Malta that have a rich live games portfolio that will cater to every avid casino player:

31bet
Bluefox
Mr.Play
Mozzart
10bet
Betswap
Betovo
Bets.io
Betpanda.io
Dream.bet

Traditional vs New Online Casinos in Malta

Are you not sure whether you should join the well-established traditional casinos or new casinos with attractive bonuses? Let's take a look at how both of them compare so you can make better-informed decisions about your next steps.

New Casinos in Malta
Mobile-optimised
Crypto-friendly
Safe and secure sites
Games from the leading game providers
Hefty casino bonuses

Traditional Maltese Casinos
Not a strong focus on mobile optmisation
Rarely accept crypto payments
Top-notch encryption protocols
Rich game catalogues
Often feature just average promotions

Most Trusted Online Casino Sites in Malta by Betpack

When we take all of the above-mentioned in mind, we can say that there are a few online casinos that seem to stand out from the competition. Here are the sites that our experts deem as the most trusted in Malta. These operators passed our strict reviewing criteria, so you can expect a safe gambling platform with the most exciting games and the most rewarding casino promotions.

Casino	Licence
31bet	Malta Gaming Authority
Novibet	Malta Gaming Authority
Mozzart	Malta Gaming Authority
YugiBet	Malta Gaming Authority

Conclusion

Now that you know that Malta is the hub of online gambling in Europe, it is time to dive into the action straight away! Armed with all this information, all that is now left is to compare and choose one of the above-mentioned sites and enjoy a thrilling and potentially rewarding gambling endeavour!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Online Gambling Legal in Malta?

Yes, online gambling is legal in Malta and is regulated by the Gaming Act of 2018. The MGA is the regulatory body that oversees the industry and issues licenses.

How Old Do I Need to Be to Gamble Online in Malta?

According to the Gaming Act, individuals must be at least 18 years old to participate in gambling activities in the country.

Are Online Casinos Malta safe?

Yes, as long as you choose from our suggested sites, you have nothing to worry about. We only recommend operators which use advanced encryption protocols to guarantee the safety of your sensitive data.