Since 2000 the remote gaming industry in Malta has witnessed a remarkable and rapid growth. Over 300 applications have been submitted to the Lotteries and Gaming Authority since April 2004 by operators wishing to run their remote gaming activities from Malta, including some of the world’s leading operators. All forms of interactive gaming (including online casinos, casino-style games, betting exchanges and lotteries) through the use of any means of distance communication (such as internet, mobile, telephone and fax) can be carried on from Malta. These operators have chosen to locate their activities in Malta for several reasons:
- Malta is the only country within the EU which regulates remote gaming;
- Malta ’s reputation as a well-regulated jurisdiction which safeguards the interests of both operators and players;
- a very attractive fiscal regime;
- an efficient and relatively inexpensive licensing process;
- a stable political climate;
- established financial services institutions (including payment gateways);
- support services by pro-active professionals who adopt a “can do” attitude;
- a highly qualified and skilled workforce fluent in various languages;
- a state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure.
All operators must be licensed by the Lotteries and Gaming Authority to carry out any of the following activities: (a) online gaming; (b) online betting offices or online betting exchange offices; (c) the promotion and abetting of gaming from Malta and (d) hosting and managing third-party online gaming operators. Licences are valid for a period of five years and can be renewed for further five year periods. An application fee and an annual fee are payable.
Licensees also pay a gaming tax, which is calculated according to the type of gaming/betting operations they carry on in Malta. The total tax payable for each licence is capped.
Further information may be obtained from our fact sheet on Remote Gaming in Malta.
The shareholders of the company, whether physical or corporate shareholders, may avail themselves of the refundable tax credit system available under Maltese law. Furthermore, due to the imputation tax system provided for under Maltese legislation, the shareholders will not pay further tax on the dividends received from the company. For further details kindly refer to our fact sheet entitled Malta Companies and Taxation.
We at EMD through our fully fledged iGaming deparment, provide clients with a comprehensive professional support service in most matters relating to their iGaming business requirements. Therefore, besides assisting clients to obtain their gaming licences in Malta and ensuring continued compliance with the licence conditions, we also provide clients with other advisory and support services which they may require to run their operations efficiently and effectively. These services include, company formation, local and international taxation, accounting, drafting and review of documentation, payroll services, work permit applications, recruitment, employment matters, corporate management and administration, and opening of bank accounts. We also assist operators who are relocating to Malta with their various needs in the relocation process. EMD’s client portfolio comprises several gaming operators licensed in Malta, including some of the world’s major players in the industry.