MGA Fines Drop Nearly 50 Percent, Fewer License Cancellations in 2025

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) apparently significantly reduced its enforcement actions in 2025. Fines decreased by almost half, with only two licenses revoked during the entire year. This emerges from current reports and prompts speculation about the prominent gambling authority's future regulatory strategy.

The low number of just two license revocations in the entire year is particularly striking. Malta is a significant hub for online gambling providers in Europe. This development could have far-reaching consequences for licensees and players alike.

Numbers and facts

In 2025, the fines imposed by the MGA decreased by almost 50 percent, a substantial cut compared to previous years. At the same time, only two licenses were fully revoked. One concerned Oddsfly Limited (C 57484), whose license MGA/B2C/260/2014 was canceled on July 14, 2025, due to the non-payment of license fees from 2018, 2019, and 2020, totaling 75,000 Euros, as well as outstanding compliance contributions of 29,814.52 Euros. A second license revocation occurred on May 21, 2025, for Dimsacon Limited (C 92886), whose Recognition Notice RN/225/2021 was revoked.

In the first half of 2025, a total of 28 new license applications were submitted, eight of which were approved. Six existing licenses were submitted for renewal, and five were renewed. The MGA also conducted 723 criminal probity screening checks. In four cases, the Fit and Proper Committee decided that the criteria were not met. Meanwhile, the Supervisory Council rejected two license applications because the information provided was incomplete or misleading. During the same period, 23 cease and desist letters and 15 warnings were issued. The total of 23 administrative sanctions amounted to 139,360 Euros.

Background

The MGA is one of the most prominent and influential regulatory authorities in the online gambling sector. Many large international gambling companies are licensed there. Malta has established itself over the years as an important location for the industry. A decrease in enforcement measures can have various reasons. It could mean that licensees have improved their compliance standards. However, it could also indicate a changed strategy by the MGA, possibly towards a more advisory rather than purely punitive role. The MGA itself published an Interim Performance Report for January to June 2025. It stated that 1,720 requests for assistance in player protection and responsible gambling were processed. Additionally, 891 player fund reports and nine data extractions were carried out. The increased international cooperation is also notable, with 149 suspicious betting reports, 88 warnings to licensees, and 30 international investigations to combat match-fixing.

European casino associations are pushing for more powers for Europol, as the illegal gambling market has grown to 91.6 billion Euros. This highlights the pressure on regulators to act more effectively against illegal offerings. In this context, the MGA reviewed 75 URLs to identify unauthorized gambling activities. 34 of them contained fraudulent references to the authority or its licensees and were publicly listed.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, the developments in Malta are of great significance. Many providers still operating with an MGA license target German customers. However, these casinos are illegal in Germany because they do not meet the requirements of the German State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). The GlüStV 2021 imposes strict rules to protect players. These include a stake limit of 1 Euro per spin on slot machines and a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 Euros across all providers. Compliance with these limits is ensured by the central monitoring system LUGAS. MGA-licensed providers cannot offer these rules. Therefore, it is important to stick to casinos listed on the whitelist of the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL).

"German players should only consult the GGL whitelist to gamble safely and legally. Only providers listed there are checked by German legislation and offer the prescribed player protection." - Lisa Lustich, Casino Editor at lustich.de

Casinos without a GGL license often offer higher stakes and unlimited deposits but operate outside the German legal framework. This means that players have little legal protection in case of disputes or problems. The GGL regularly shuts down illegal sites, posing enormous risks for players and their money.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For GGL-licensed casinos in Germany, the development in Malta could send mixed signals. Less rigorous enforcement by the MGA could lead to more MGA providers remaining active on the German black market. This would complicate competition for legal, GGL-licensed providers. The GGL continues to strongly advocate for the suppression of illegal offerings and works to strengthen the legal market. Stringent regulation, as implemented by the GGL, is essential for a fair and secure gambling market. The GGL strives to remove all non-compliant offerings from the market and ensure player protection. The GGL's focus on adhering to strict requirements such as the 1-Euro stake limit and the 1,000-Euro deposit limit is a clear commitment to responsible gambling.