Online casinos in Malta: Setting the bar high in the global iGaming arena

Malta may only have a population of just over half a million people, but it’s also one of the most important countries in the global iGaming industry. Since 2004, the small island nation has been a major contributor to a growing industry that’s worth billions of dollars. Now, some of the largest iGaming companies call Malta their home, and each year sees major awards and industry shows such as SIGMA and the iGaming Excellence Awards.

Today, online casino gaming is more popular than ever, with players able to take their pick from several high-quality and well-regulated sites. The best online casinos in Malta feature thousands of exciting games and are safe to use. You can find out more details at bestcasinosites.net/malta/. However, it wasn’t always this way. When the very first Malta online casinos launched, they were difficult to use, and many could also be scams.

Regulations have helped make online casinos in Malta much safer. In 2004, Malta became one of the first countries to legalise online gambling, and the Malta Gaming Authority was also created to license and regulation gaming sites. This regulatory body has remained one of the most important in the world.

What is the Malta Gaming Authority?

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) was established by the Maltese Government in response to the growing trend of online casinos. They recognised the potential for this industry and saw improved regulations to legitimise and improve the experience for players. Since then, the MGA has been responsible for reviewing and authorising licences for Malta online casino operators, ensuring that they follow proper regulations.

To obtain a casino licence from the MGA, all casinos must undergo strict tests. This includes a review of the business itself, including its capital and how it operates. Of course, the casino also needs to prove that the games it offers are fair and based on random choice. The best online casinos Malta shouldn’t be able to affect the result of a bet, and this needs to be verified by an independent tester.

Advantages of the Malta Gaming Authority Licence

When players see the MGA licence, they know that the site they’re playing at has been verified as being safe and fair. The licence is also required for casinos to operate legally within many jurisdictions, especially in Europe. Having access to the European market is one of the major advantages of the Malta licence and is why so many casino operators apply for it.

The MGA licence is also a trusted sign. Casinos that show this licence have a greater chance of success, as online gambling relies on trust between the players and the operators. Most casino players always know to look for a licence before signing up, and the MGA licence is seen as a mark of quality.

How Malta has been affected by the iGaming industry

The growth of the iGaming industry has clearly had a positive impact on Malta, with the country capitalising on the massive revenue that it generates. Thanks to improved regulations and lower tax rates, many international casino operators have set up shop on the island, bringing new employment opportunities and greater tax revenue.

Employment

With so many iGaming businesses moving to Malta, the industry has had a major impact on employment. The unemployment rate is currently around 3%, which is much lower than in more developed European countries. Jobs aren’t provided just by iGaming operators but also events and planning, marketing, and many other sectors. Online gambling accounts for around 12% of the GDP, but it could be even higher due to secondary industries.

Tax Revenue

While the best casino sites Malta only pay 5% tax on gaming revenue, there are more than 300 iGaming companies based on the island. This soon adds up to a larger total amount of taxes, and this revenue has been used to fund important social systems such as healthcare, education and improved infrastructure. Even those living in Malta who don’t work in iGaming have benefitted from this.

Rising real estate prices

One of the downsides of this economic development across the island has been the rising price of real estate in Malta. While this is an almost unavoidable side effect of greater economic opportunities, it has made finding property harder for those who lived in Malta before the iGaming boom. The government could perhaps do more to use gaming tax revenue to provide subsidised housing for those that have been living in Malta for many years.

How regulations adapt to new technology

Malta benefitted from being one of the first countries to introduce iGaming regulations after recognising the potential for online gaming to be a huge trend. However, many other countries now provide a similar service to casino operators. To stay ahead of the competition, regulators need to stay up to date with all the latest trends and innovations.

If regulations fail to keep up with new technology, they risk being left behind. Not only does this open the potential for competing gaming authorities to take their place, but it also means that players could potentially be at risk. Malta online casino sites need to ensure they use technology in a way to improves the player experience without overstepping potential regulations.

One of the emerging technologies that many online casinos Malta are currently dealing with is cryptocurrency. These volatile digital assets can be used to make fast and secure online payments, and a growing number of casinos now accept them for deposits. However, regulations on cryptocurrencies are still unclear. Yet, this is an area that needs to be clarified to ensure licensed casinos are still able to deliver the best possible experience.

Final thoughts

Malta set the bar in terms of iGaming regulation, establishing clear and stringent guidelines for casino operators to follow. The result has been a rapidly growing online gaming industry, which those living on the island have mostly benefitted from. The Maltese regulatory framework has inspired other countries to set similar laws, and the legislation is constantly being updated to ensure it follows the current trends in the industry.