GAME TYPES
A Malta i-Gaming B2C licence can be obtained with one or more game types as follows:
Type 1 – games of chance played against the house, the outcome of which is determined by a random number generator. This type includes casino type games such as roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker played against the house, lotteries, secondary lotteries and virtual sports games.
Type 2 – games of chance played against the house, the outcome of which is not generated randomly but is determined by the result of an event or competition extraneous to a game of chance and where the operator manages his or her own risk by managing the odds offered to the player, typically a sportsbook.
Type 3 – games of chance not played against the house and wherein in the operator is not exposed to gaming risk, but generates revenue by taking commissions or other charges based on the stakes or the
prize. This type includes player versus player games such as poker, bingo, betting exchange, and other commission-based games.
Type 4 – skill games the outcome of which is determined by the use of skill alone or predominantly by the use of skill determined to be licensable by the MGA (therefore controlled skill games), principally fantasy sports.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
All gambling activities in Malta are regulated by the Gaming Act of 2018 which grants power to the Malta Gaming Authority to issue licenses for both land-based and remote gambling activities. The Act consolidated all previous laws and regulations and provided for an overhaul in the licensing system reducing the various classification of licences to two: Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B). The Gaming Authorisations Regulations, 2018 (subsidiary legislation 583.05) enacted under the Gaming Act mainly regulate the attainment of a licence in Malta. Specifically, a Business-to-Consumer licence also referred to as a Gaming Service Licence, allows the operator to offer, provide or operate games whereby players may participate.
The gaming operator must be a company incorporated in Malta or another EU country
- No restrictions on the nationality of the ultimate beneficial owners of the company
- Shareholders, directors and persons carrying out key functions must be approved by the MGA
- Players’ funds must be kept separate from operations funds
Minimum share capital to be paid up:
- B2C Type 1 or 2 – €100,000
- B2C Type 3 or 4 – €40,000
For more information talk to one of our lawyers