Top 5 Reasons for Malta Leading The iGaming Industry
Why Malta is the leading hub for the iGaming industry, with top-notch regulation, favorable taxes, government support, strategic location, and robust infrastructure.
The thrilling iGaming industry based in Malta, often referred to as “iGaming Malta”, has evolved as a significant hub for iGaming due to numerous favourable factors including enormous tax benefits, a healthy regulatory environment and an ever-evolving infrastructure. With an estimated total of 300 iGaming companies and over 56% of the total population involved in online gambling activities, Malta has undoubtedly become one of the most formidable and revolutionary countries to encourage and actively promote iGaming. Regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), iGaming in Malta involves numerous mainstream online gambling activities like sports betting, poker, online casinos and much more. Moreover, due to its ideal location within the European Union and extremely supportive jurisdiction, numerous prominent iGaming companies, including Ammo City, Betsson Group, LeoVegas, 888 Holdings and Aspire Global have shifted all their iGaming operations and business to Malta.
In this article, we will take a look at the top five reasons that have made Malta the ultimate hub of iGaming on a global level.
-
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) Regulatory Framework
With a powerfully built regulatory framework, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) significantly contributes to building credibility and trustworthiness among both iGaming companies and users. With a stringent and uncompromising licensing process, MGA has made it mandatory for the iGaming operators to proceed through financial background checks and other assessments to ensure that only reliable and financially secure iGaming firms get the license to conduct their iGaming operations within the territory of Malta. Additionally, with the use of Random Number Generators (RNGs), MGA ensures fair play and safeguards the users against all iGaming fraud. Moreover, with its Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, MGA has also made it mandatory for the iGaming operators to conduct KYC sessions with the users in order to spot and prevent any illegal financial activity. Furthermore, with constant audits and inspections, MGA assures that the licensed iGaming operators adhere to all the stated rules and regulations and work within the regulatory framework.
-
iGaming-Friendly Tax Administration
With a highly effective tax rate of 5%, Malta is often hailed as a territory that offers the most beneficial taxation jurisdictions for iGaming operators in Europe. Additionally, with considerably reduced taxes, it has become highly feasible for the iGaming companies to establish and expand their iGaming operations in Malta. Moreover, Malta does not impose any additional taxation burdens on foreign investors and shareholders, thus making it even more attractive for foreign iGaming companies. Furthermore, with double taxation treaties with over 50 countries, Malta prevents the burden of double taxation on income, thereby encouraging a strengthened and much smoother scope of cross-border operations. With favorable iGaming policies and regulations, the Maltese tax authorities are extremely supportive and handle the administrative burden in the best way possible.
-
Maltese Government Support
With extremely favorable policies and regulations, the Maltese government openly encourages and supports the iGaming industry. Additionally, the Maltese government also promotes the country as an ultimate destination for iGaming by organizing numerous marketing campaigns, international trade missions and conferences. Moreover, the government of Malta has also contributed and invested significantly in the development of the iGaming infrastructure of the country. Currently, Malta has top-notch internet connectivity, advanced technical and IT support firms, innovation and research centers, and numerous legal, financial and banking service providing firms. Furthermore, the Maltese government also provides substantial subsidies and grants for hiring local talents in igaming and organizing training and development programs for iGaming, thereby encouraging the localities of Malta to come up with more innovations within the iGaming industry.
-
Ideal Geographical Location And EU Membership
Malta’s strategic geographical location between Europe, the Middle East and Africa and EU membership has played a significant role in establishing it as a hub of iGaming companies over the past few years. While Malta’s Mediterranean location and (CET) time zone makes it the most favorable territory for iGaming operations in the major European markets, its EU Membership allows the iGaming companies to have smooth and seamless access to the European market. Furthermore, the EU membership also allows foreign iGaming companies to make cross-border transactions easier, have higher operational efficiency and bare less administrative burdens. Moreover, under the EU Membership, foreign countries also get access to more stringent safety regulations which include Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and other data protection directives, thus ensuring a safer operating environment for foreign iGaming companies to establish and expand their roots in Malta.
-
Highly Supportive Infrastructure & Training Programs
Often reigned as the pivot of iGaming, Malta has over 2000 active institutions that provide rigorous training and courses in streams related to iGaming, including digital marketing, customer support, certification in gaming development, compliance and many others. Additionally, with a highly reliable internet connectivity and tech infrastructure, Malta has been home to a thousand modern data centers and legal and financial firms that offer iGaming expertise in iGaming company registration, licensing as well as regulatory compliance. Moreover, the existing gigantic community of iGaming businesses in Malta provides an overwhelming opportunity for networking and collaboration for the newbies in the iGaming sector of Malta, making it the leading expansion space for iGaming in the world.
Also Read: Top Gaming Chairs for Comfort & Performance