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Updated on 29 July, 2021
A flourishing hub not just for iGaming, but for industries such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI) and financial services, it also enjoys one of the strongest economies in Europe.
For the last 14 years, it has been a top center for online gaming and its gaming license is considered a gold standard in the global industry.
But what makes both Malta and its license so special, and why should you consider applying for a Malta gaming license?
Malta’s iGaming license
There are a number of reasons why acquiring a Maltese online gaming license is a benefit. Firstly, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is one of the most respected in the world, and holding a license from it is seen globally as a vote of confidence. In addition, the licensing application procedure is fast, yet offers a stable legal and regulatory framework for operators, service providers and online players.
Holders of a Maltese license can benefit from onshore status in Europe, which means Malta-registered operators can advertise across the EU. The MGA also employs strict anti-money-laundering laws and is in full compliance with EU legislation, meaning you will be as well.
Recent regulatory changes
In 2018, the Maltese government introduced a number of changes to the Gaming Act. These changes sought to both simplify the process of licensing in the country and ensure better protection for clients, operators and service providers.
The licensing procedure was significantly simplified, now providing for just two types of licenses — B2B and B2C. The B2C license will still be categorized in terms of the type of game provided, but it will eliminate the need for a new license per class of game. Under the new laws, a B2C licensee can just add on different game types without going through the full licensing procedure every time.
Other changes include an extended validity period for licenses from five to 10 years and a different fee structure, including the introduction of a cap on the variable license fee.
Why Malta?
There are a number of other reasons Malta should be a jurisdiction of choice for your iGaming business.
Apart from low gaming license fees and taxes, the corporate income rate for businesses can be as low as an effective 5% rate subject to meeting certain criteria and depending on individual circumstances. In terms of revenue derived from licensable gaming services, the rate is set at 5% of the Gross Gaming Revenue. Gaming operators are only required to pay tax in Malta on revenue from Maltese customers.
Aside from this, Malta enjoys a stable economy and political situation and a workforce with years of experience in the online gaming sector.
Get Started with a Data Center Services Provider in Malta
Before you start researching for data center in Malta, you may want to have a checklist so you can ensure your igaming platform is hosted securely, reliably and affordably.
Here are a few things you need to check before making your decision:
- 24/7 Technical Support – Unlike other industries like the Forex, an igaming business operates 24/7 with even more activity during the weekends than week days. It is vital that your hosting provider will be able to support you around-the-clock.
- Compliant Data Center – Since you will be obtaining a license from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), your servers and overall infrastructure will be audited by the Regulator. Make sure your chosen hosting provider meets all the requirements set by the MGA. Moreover, finding a Data Center which is ISO27001 and PCI-DSS Complaint is ideal, since you will know you are dealing with a serious provider.
- iGaming Expertise – Whilst there are many hosting providers out there, you want to make sure you get into a contract with a company that has in-depth knowledge when it comes to supporting and hosting online gambling platforms.
NetShop ISP is a multi-award winning Data Center Service Provider in Malta with more than 10 years of expertise in the iGaming industry. From Virtual Cloud, to Bare-metal Dedicated Servers and Colocation, you can rely your igaming business to be hosted in our Malta Datacenters for either your whole infrastructure, disaster recovery or just Database replication.
Learn more about our iGaming Hosting Solutions or contact our Customer Services team to discuss your project & bespoke requirements.
