Malta Gaming Sector Hits €1.42bn, Powers 6.3% of Economy

Gaming Industry Stayed Strong in 2025

Malta's gaming industry had another strong year in 2025. The latest annual report showed higher economic value despite fewer gaming licences. The sector generated €1.42 billion in gross value added during the year. That was about 6.3% of Malta's total economy — making gaming one of the country's biggest industries.

When other business activity linked to gaming was included, the sector made up about 8.2% of the economy. This shows many businesses also benefit from the industry. By the end of 2025, the Malta Gaming Authority had 302 licensed companies holding 311 gaming licences. One year earlier, there were 315 companies and 323 licences.

The numbers tell an interesting story — the industry grew even while licence totals became smaller.

More Jobs Across the Sector

Around 15,039 people worked for companies licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority. That was a 4.8% increase from 2024. The wider gaming sector supported about 19,150 jobs across Malta. That equals around 6.5% of the country's workforce.

The regulator said the industry appears to be entering a more settled stage. Companies now focus more on building stronger businesses than adding more licences. Many businesses also work in several countries. Others have changed their business structure to meet new rules and business goals.

Business Services Continue to Grow

Business-to-business companies played a bigger role during 2025. The regulator received 38 new licence applications and approved 19. Most came from companies that provide services to other gaming businesses instead of serving players directly. Some key figures include:

• 38 new licence applications.

• 19 new licences approved.

• 24 applications came from B2B companies.

• 12 approved licences were B2B.

The number of B2B licences grew from 68 in 2018 to 171 in 2025. These companies provide games, payment services, technology, compliance support, and other tools for online casinos. That growth may help explain why the sector keeps expanding — even with fewer licences overall.

The Regulator Kept a Close Watch

The Malta Gaming Authority was very busy all year. It undertook 109 reviews and 15 full compliance audits. It also sent out 35 cease and desist letters, 22 warnings and 30 financial penalties totalling €162,520. Protection of players was also a key element of its activities. The authority received 3,718 requests for assistance and visited 109 sites that may be associated with illegal gaming.

Sports betting also received close attention. Companies reported 280 suspicious betting cases, while the regulator shared 192 alerts and supported 66 investigations. Chief Executive Charles Mizzi said regulators should focus on better rules — not simply more rules. He said this approach helps protect players while supporting Malta's gaming industry for years to come.