Malta Casinos
Malta Online Casinos
As bizarre as it sounds, there are countries out there that officially license and regulate online casinos but don’t allow their nationals and residents to bet at them. Curacao is a fine example of this. As one of the world’s leading licensing and regulatory bodies, how does Malta feel about letting its population bet at online casinos?
Online gambling in Malta is, of course, fully legal. It would be preposterous if the outcome were anything else. However, that doesn’t mean to say that the Maltese authorities permit residents to wager at any old casino. They are specific about where they want you to play, and only MGA licensed sites will suffice. While there are many of these for you to choose from, some stand out more than others. Join our team as we introduce you to the biggest and best MGA licensed casinos below.
Best Real Money Online Casinos for Maltese Players
Is It Legal to Gamble Online in Malta?
Is online casino betting legal in Malta? Yes, but only under certain conditions. For instance, any legal gambling sites in Malta will naturally be licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (or MGA for short). Malta was one of the first countries in the world to fully license and regulate online gambling, and the MGA has much respect worldwide for the way that it operates, beaten (arguably) only by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission.
Moreover, they must be affiliated with problem gambling programs and have expert security. So, too, must Maltese licensed casinos process payments fairly, have their games RNG (random number generator) certified for fair play, and adhere to strict terms relating to RTP rates.
All the above makes Malta’s online casinos amongst the safest and most trusted in the world. There are several hundred casinos to choose from that are licensed out of Malta, and any of these come highly recommended.
Online Casino
As touched on, legit Malta online casinos number several hundred in all, and they are heavily regulated to ensure that they are fair, trusted, and honest places to play. The MGA will revoke licenses if an operator drops the ball in these areas. Malta doesn’t prohibit its players from joining offshore casinos (in the sense that it doesn’t punish them), but with such a wealth of legal, licensed, and regulated options before you, there isn’t much of an argument for joining a non-Maltese licensed site.
Online Poker
Like casino gambling, poker gameplay is legal in Malta if the operator you join has an MGA issued gambling license. Poker rooms and casinos are the two ideal places to head to if you want to play poker online in Malta.
Online Sports Betting
Online sports betting is legal in Malta if the operator has a Malta Gaming Authority issued license and is regulated by the relevant body. Horse racing is hugely popular in the island country, so don’t be surprised to see many racebooks licensed there, too.
Online Lottery
Lottery games are legal and licensed in Malta. The very first lotto appeared in 1934, but since 2004, the Maltese government has ensured that Maltco Lotteries has had an exclusive monopoly on lottery games. That 10-year license was renewed in 2012 and is up for renewal soon. Alongside Malta’s national lotteries, players can participate in European lottos. Many online lottery sites have also obtained a license from the MGA, effectively making them legal options for Maltese players, even if the country doesn’t actively participate in the EuroMillions or Euro Jackpot lotteries.
Online Bingo
Bingo is another legal, licensed option in Malta. Online bingo rooms are popular in the country, and you can find many dedicated bingo portals that the MGA licenses. Malta doesn’t prohibit its players from joining UKGC licensed bingo rooms, but again, there are so many alternatives to choose from that you needn’t go down the route of playing at an operator with a non-MGA license.
History of Gambling in Malta
Malta may only be a small, Mediterranean island, but it is also a member of the British Commonwealth and the European Union. Gambling goes back a long way in Malta’s history, and we’ve tried to chart the major changes for you below in chronological order:
- 1300s: The Maltese are known to play Ic-Cippitatu, a game notably played during feasts and on Resurrection Sunday. Marbles and beads were awarded to winners, not cash prizes, as this would breach the anti-gambling rules of the Catholic Church at the time.
- 1600s: The lottery is introduced to Malta for the very first time. However, the first proper, established lottery wouldn’t be introduced until 1922.
- 1922: The Lottery Act was passed in Malta. This formalised the rules for lottery games in the island nation. The lotto would continue to be run throughout World War II, one of the few to do so.
- 1934: The first state monopoly lottery was established.
- 1948: The Malta National Lottery replaces the old lotteries. At the same time, the LGA (Lotteries and Gaming Authority) was developed to regulate all forms of gambling in the country.
- 1990s: All forms of gambling (at the time, solely land-based) are deemed legal in Malta, with the LGA taking charge of regulated land-based betting.
- 2004: Maltco is given exclusive rights to the Malta National Lottery. This would be renewed in 2012.
- 2005: The Remote Gambling Regulations bill is passed. It forms the MGA (Malta Gaming Authority), which has the authority to license and regulate online gambling. Many operators in foreign countries consider applying for the licenses, too. While this effectively gives them the right to offer their services to players in Malta, the level of regulation offered makes them appealing to gamblers in other countries.
- 2010s: The MGA loses some of its authority as EU countries start to establish their own national licensing and regulatory bodies. As a result, casinos that have been acceptable to players in EU countries for over a decade suddenly find themselves shut out of national markets by local licensing authorities. However, internationally, MGA licensed casinos still maintain a huge market share.
- 2020: Malta recognised Bitcoin as a currency, so the MGA decided to permit its licensed operators to offer BTC as an accepted currency option, being the first of the hugely respected licensing authorities to do so.
Is It Safe to Gamble at a Maltese Online Casino?
You’re going to struggle to find online casinos that are safer to play at than Maltese ones. With the possible exception (and this can be argued) of United Kingdom Gambling Commission sites, no online casinos are as safe, licensed, and well-regulated as those in Malta.
Safe online casinos in Malta are natural those that feature an MGA issued license. They are well-regulated, adhere to all sorts of restrictions surrounding player protections, fair play, and security. Several hundred casinos are MGA licensed, safe and secure, but you can find the best of those right here on our page.
How to Choose the Best Online Casino?
In theory, any Malta Gaming Authority licensed casino should represent a safe and secure place to play. Therefore, with so many sites representing the most trusted online casinos for Malta players, we need to break down that extensive list and judge sites by other criteria to discover which ones are the best. This is something our team does when reviewing sites.
By heading over to our online gambling reviews for Malta betting sites, you can check out casinos based on the nifty bonuses they offer, the games they provide, and much more. In fact, allow us to introduce you to a few of the strict criteria our team looks for below.
Casino Bonuses
The MGA is quite picky on the casinos that obtain licenses. One of the things operators must adhere to is the set of terms and conditions applied to bonuses and promos. The best Malta online casinos will be those that have low wagering requirements, low deposit limits and fair win caps. Naturally, our team always checks these out before recommending Maltese casinos to you.
Games and Software
Most major casino software providers have obtained a license from the MGA. This means that many top sites can offer you games from a wealth of leading developers. Our team keeps a keen eye out for those MGA licensed sites that carry all sorts of games from 15, 20, 25 or even 30+ software developers.
The Reputation of the Casino
You shouldn’t need to worry too much about the reputation of a casino. If it has obtained an MGA license, then you can trust it. However, we keep our eyes peeled for transaction times, KYC processes and players’ ability to use responsible gambling tools to keep themselves safe.
Casino Customer Support
Malta’s top casinos often provide customer support via live chat. On top of that, it is not uncommon to see e-mail assistance, FAQ guides, and even telephone support in some conditions. The faster you can obtain support, the better the casino will be.
Payment Methods
Malta online casinos are generally brimming over with potential payment methods for you to choose from. Malta uses the euro, so it is not surprising to see most MGA casinos accept this currency. However, if you are playing at a Malta casino from outside the country, you’re going to want to see alternative currencies supported, so this is something we look for, too.
Online Casino Games Available for Maltese Players
As touched on, online casinos that accept Maltese players usually feature a wealth of games from many providers. They can also typically offer the following:
- MGA casinos often carry live dealer games, mobile-friendly titles, and even cryptocurrency-friendly games.
- A regular supply of new online casino games appears at Malta’s casinos.
- The best online casino games in Malta will be compatible with bonuses and promotions and have wagering ranges that appeal to all players.
- The MGA ensures that Maltese casino games can be played for free and that they are RNG certified with fair RTP rates.
Online Slots
Many of the most popular gambling games on the internet appear as online slots in Malta. Expect to see all your favourite progressive slot machines in Malta, as well as old and new hits galore.
Online Blackjack
Blackjack games can be played online for real money in Malta with ease. These often include live dealer and RNG (random number generator) versions of classic, European, and American blackjack.
Online Roulette
American, European, French, Immersive, Auto, Multi-Wheel, Lightning and Jackpot Roulette are just a few of the best online roulette games you can find at gambling sites in Malta.
Live Dealer Games
Playing live casino games online in Malta is a doddle. Many of the best baccarat, blackjack and roulette live dealer games are even streamed from some of Malta’s four land-based, brick-and-mortar casinos.
Other Online Casino Games
All other manner of games can be found in Maltese licensed casinos, too, including craps and other dice games, scratch cards, keno, bingo, lottery, and video poker games, as well as a wealth of instant win titles.
Most Popular Casino Software in Malta
There isn’t much point in rattling off every software provider to cater to the Maltese market – they all do. Yes, you can find Microgaming casinos in Malta. You can also find the best NetEnt casinos in Malta with ease. To give you an ideal starting point, we’ll just list a few of the major providers involved in Malta’s online casinos…
- Novomatic
- Play’n Go
- Playtech
- Pragmatic Play
- Quickspin
- Red Tiger Gaming
- Scientific Games and its subsidiaries
- Thunderkick
- Yggdrasil Gaming
Banking Information for Malta Players
It is possible to play at Malta’s online casinos with PayPal deposits, and you can use online casino payment options in Malta that include VISA, Maestro and more. You can also use any number of the following options:
- Paysafecard
- Skrill
- VISA
- Wire/Bank Transfers
You can also use many country-specific options at Maltese casinos. For instance, Canadians can use Interac, Swedes can use Trustly, and Germans can deposit with Sofort. Alongside the array of payment options, Maltese casinos can also…
- Offer low minimum deposit and high maximum withdrawal limits.
- Process payments speedily with no added fees.
- Ensure that players must go through a KYC process for added protection.
Cryptocurrencies
Malta is one of the few countries that has recognised cryptocurrencies, or at least the Malta Gaming Authority has. This means that MGA licensed casinos can legally accept cryptocurrencies as a payment method. Perks of using such an option can include:
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Faster withdrawal times
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Greater Anonymity
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Claiming dedicated BTC bonuses
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Playing games using cryptocurrencies online
Maltese casinos predominantly accept Bitcoin, but Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and others have been considered. It is also worth noting that few other leading licensing jurisdictions have made this jump. The UKGC, for instance, hasn’t approved cryptocurrency gameplay at their licensed casinos, giving MGA sites the edge.
Mobile Gaming in Malta
Mobile casino gambling in Malta can be done with an app or without. It is up to each gambling operator to decide whether they wish to offer online gambling apps to Malta’s players. Those that do should have both iOS and Android apps, while those that don’t will design their site in HTML5 so you can play with nothing more than your phone or tablet’s web browser and a Wi-Fi/data packet connection, of course.
Maltese Online Casino Bonuses & Promo Codes
If you’re eager to claim the best bonuses at online casinos in Malta, then you’ve come to the right place. Our gambling team has put together a top selection of sites, each of which has bonuses and promotions that feature fair wagering requirements, low minimum deposit limits, decent win caps, and that are worth a pretty penny to boot. Some may require Malta online casino bonus codes, but you can often find these on the promotions page at each of our casinos.
If you’re new to betting at Maltese online casinos, allow us to introduce you to a few of the most common offers below:
No Deposit Bonuses
No deposit casinos in Malta are not as common as they used to be. However, you can find a few new Malta no deposit casinos on our page. These bonuses provide you with a small sum of free cash or free spins to play selected games and potentially win real money. Only if you’re content with your experience should you decide to play full-time and deposit.
Deposit Match
The classic first deposit bonus at casinos in Malta is just as alive as it ever was. However, it now comes with added regulation. For instance, Malta online casinos must offer the bonus with low deposit terms. Moreover, they must have generous win caps and ensure that players can use the bonus on a wealth of games. A typical offer will provide you with a wealth of cash based on your deposited total.
Free Spins
Free spins may be awarded as a loyalty bonus. Alternatively, they could be found at an online casino as a free sign-up bonus with no deposit required by Malta’s players. Either way, you will get to spin selected slots’ reels for free and stand a snippet of a chance of winning real money to boot.
Reload Bonuses
Reload bonuses are not as common as they once were, but if you know where to look, you can find them. These provide you with cash, free spins or both when you deposit into your account. Before claiming any reload bonuses, you should always check the terms and conditions attached to the offer.
FAQs
Before heading over to any of our Malta online casinos, check out the following FAQ guide to be sure that you understand everything.
