Malta gaming sector shift towards B2B, MGA reveals

Licence numbers fall as B2B takes the lead

According to the MGA interim report for the first half of 2025, B2B licences now dominate. Business suppliers account for 55.5 percent of all active licences under the regulator. Between January and June, 64.3 percent of new applications came from B2B firms — a sharp tilt.

Even more striking, 87.5 percent of licences issued during the period went to suppliers. Consumer-facing casinos remain present, but they no longer drive growth. This pattern suggests companies are reorganising — separating brands from core services.

The MGA says this change reflects market behaviour, not a formal policy push. A spokesperson noted that international rules and corporate restructuring continue to influence licensing choices.

Reforms quietly reshape Malta’s role

Behind the numbers sits a regulatory story that began years earlier. In 2018, Malta overhauled its Gaming Act and approval process. The reforms aimed to bring clarity and proportional oversight — especially for suppliers.

According to the MGA, those changes laid the groundwork for today’s B2B focus. Suppliers need stable rules to scale services like games, payments, and technical tools. Malta now hosts many global gaming groups, creating built-in demand.

Lower risk, but scrutiny stays firm

The MGA interim report frames the shift as a move toward lower risk activity. B2B firms do not deal directly with players — reducing exposure. Still, the authority stresses that oversight standards remain unchanged.

Governance, anti-money laundering, and counter-terrorist financing checks remain central. So do outsourcing risks and operational resilience — areas suppliers cannot ignore. Lower risk does not mean lighter rules.

Fewer companies, steady economic weight

By the end of June 2025, 304 companies held 312 gaming licences. This marks a decline from earlier years. Yet the sector’s economic impact remains steady.

The MGA estimates gaming added €714.4m in gross value in the first half. That equals 6.5 percent of Malta’s total output, unchanged since 2022. Employment also rose.

Around 14,797 people now work with MGA-licensed firms — about five percent of the workforce. Fewer firms now employ more specialised staff.

What makes a strong B2B application

With more supplier filings, scrutiny at approval has tightened. The MGA says successful applications share clear traits:

• A defined business model

• Clear governance and ownership

• Risk controls matching the proposed activity

Enforcement continues in the background — with penalties, warnings, and licence cancellations issued during the period.

Looking ahead, the MGA says Malta aims to grow as a centre for regulatory quality. The real contest now plays out behind casino screens — inside the systems that keep them running.