Based on the small European island of Malta, the Malta Gaming Authority, (MGA licensed casinos), understood since the early 2000s that the online gambling revolution required a legal framework to operate safely and keep unscrupulous individuals out of the industry. The MGA was established in 2001 and was originally called the LGA (Lottery and Gaming Authority).
Today, the MGA is one of the major players in iGaming and the Malta casino license is a coveted predicate for online casinos. At Canadian sites like CasinoPilot you can for example find plenty of casinos that have obtained an MGA license.
The Maltese government has entrusted the authority with the responsibility of selecting trustworthy gaming operators, ensuring fair gaming operations and acting as a mediator between players and operators in case of serious problems.
The Malta Gaming License was established with these goals in mind for regulating gambling sites
The mission of the MGA is to issue European gaming licenses to casinos and sports betting operators online and to protect the interests of players.
Their responsible gambling principles include gambling addiction prevention, for which operators must offer deposit and loss limits for players. There are also measures against money laundering and terrorist financing, and for compliance with the minimum legal age of players. The Malta Gaming Authority’s templates apply to both land-based casinos and operators that offer their services to the public online.
Every casino that has a Malta gambling license has the logo at the bottom of its homepage footer. By clicking on the icon, you will be redirected to the MGA’s website, where you can independently check whether the operator in question really has a valid Malta gambling license to operate online. In case of doubt, you can also contact the Malta Gaming Authority itself and ask for information about the online casino in question.
4 facts about the Malta gambling license that you should know when signing up at their casinos
1. The Malta Gaming Authority is so influential in the iGaming world that the country hosts SiGMA, an international iGaming trade show, every year.
2. The MGA is authorized to issue 4 types of licenses: A Malta casino license, licenses for sports betting, licenses for poker sites and a fifth license that regulates the activity between gaming providers and operators. Each of these 4 licenses binds its holders to different obligations and tax regulations.
3. As can be seen from visiting the official website, the MGA’s values are based on impartiality: thus, it is fair, transparent, responsible and respectful towards the players and the operators it authorizes to conduct their business.
4. Wonder if a site is actually authorized by the MGA, albeit with its logo attached? Identify potential scams by accessing the official list of operators not authorized by the Malta Gaming Authority directly on their website.
What is the reputation of the MGA in the industry?
The respectability of the Malta Gaming Authority has prompted many online casino and bookmaking sites to apply for a license with the Maltese authority. And players can also feel safe with companies that have this seal.
It is a vote of confidence for players who can play the casino games from licensed operators without worrying about the casino disappearing overnight or refusing to pay winnings to players.
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