Last verified: 24 August 2026
An MGA licence is one of the things we look for when checking an online casino, but we do not treat the licence logo alone as proof that a casino is safe or suitable for every player. Before a casino is included on this page, we check the operator behind it, the licence status and whether the casino's actual website is connected to that licence.
The regulator is the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). It regulates gambling operators licensed in Malta and maintains public records that players can use to check licence information for themselves.
Are MGA-Licensed Casinos Legit?
An active MGA licence is a positive regulatory signal, but it should not be the end of the check. A casino may display an MGA logo while the important details — the company name, licence number, authorised domain or current licence status — tell a different story.
That is why we verify the information against the MGA's own records rather than relying only on what appears in a casino footer. The MGA Licensee Register allows users to search by operator, authorisation status, website URL and gaming service.
You can check an operator directly in the official MGA Licensee Register.
How We Verify an MGA Casino
We use a simple rule: if we cannot verify the licence independently, we do not want to describe the casino as MGA-licensed just because the operator says it is.
- We check the legal company that operates the casino.
- We look for an active MGA authorisation.
- We compare the licence information with the casino's actual domain.
- We check whether the licence is active, surrendered, suspended or otherwise restricted.
- We look for relevant enforcement information published by the MGA.
- We re-check listings periodically because licence and ownership information can change.
This matters because a familiar brand name does not necessarily tell you which company operates a particular website. The legal entity and the authorised domain are more useful than the logo alone.
What Does an MGA Licence Actually Mean?
Operators serving consumers under an MGA authorisation may hold a B2C Gaming Service Licence. The licence covers services offered to end consumers, while the authorised gaming services and domains can be checked through the regulator's records.
Casino games generally fall within the MGA's Type 1 gaming services classification. This is different from saying that a casino simply needs a standalone "Type 1 licence". The licence structure and the approved gaming services should be checked together.
An MGA Licence Does Not Make a Casino Legal Everywhere
This is an important distinction. An MGA licence does not automatically give an operator permission to accept players in every country.
Gambling laws are local. A country may require its own licence, restrict offshore operators or apply additional rules even when the casino already holds an MGA licence.
Great Britain is a clear example. An operator that wants to provide remote gambling to consumers in Great Britain needs the appropriate licence from the Gambling Commission. Being licensed in Malta does not replace that requirement.
For that reason, players should check both the casino's regulatory status and the rules that apply where they live before opening an account or depositing money.
How to Check an MGA Licence Yourself
You do not need to take our word for it. If a casino claims to be MGA-licensed, you can verify it yourself.
- Open the official MGA Licensee Register.
- Search for the casino brand, operator or website address.
- Check the name of the licensed company.
- Check the current licence status.
- Confirm that the website you are visiting appears in the authorised information.
- If something does not match, investigate before depositing money.
Warning Signs We Take Seriously
A licence logo in a website footer is easy to display. Verification is what matters. We take a closer look when:
- a casino claims an MGA licence but we cannot match its domain in the regulator's records;
- the licence belongs to a different company or website;
- the licence is no longer active;
- licensing information is vague or difficult to verify;
- the operator gives conflicting information about who owns or runs the casino;
- there are relevant regulatory or enforcement issues that players should know about.
Does an MGA Licence Guarantee a Good Casino?
No. Regulation matters, but a licence does not tell you everything about the day-to-day experience of using a casino.
We also look at withdrawal conditions, bonus terms, account restrictions, complaint history, customer support and other information that can affect players. A casino can hold a legitimate licence and still have terms or practices that we do not like.
That is why our listings are not based only on whether an MGA licence exists. Licensing is one part of the review, not the entire review.
Why We Recheck MGA Casinos
Casino ownership, authorised domains and licence status can change. A casino that was correctly listed in the past may close, move to another operator or stop appearing under the same authorisation.
We therefore review this page periodically and remove casinos when we can no longer verify the information needed to describe them as currently MGA-licensed.
Verification note: The casinos shown on this page were reviewed against publicly available regulatory information. Licensing status can change after publication, so players should also perform a final check with the relevant regulator before playing.