Malta Licensed Bookmakers and Betting Sites
The list of iGaming companies in Malta contains more than 500 internet gambling sites – yes, there are that many Malta sports betting sites and this number keeps increasing every year.
One of the factors that make this country an attractive destination for bookmakers is that Malta is on the United Kingdom Gambling Commission’s “white list”.
This means that Maltese gaming sites can advertise directly to the lucrative market that exists in the UK, and Malta bookmakers can create a potential client base even there.
This also means that this jurisdiction adheres to a strict code of conduct (similar to the one from Isle of Man bookmakers) and Malta bookmakers go through some of the most rigorous licensing processes on the planet.
Malta betting companies are closely monitored and tightly regulated which translates into a high degree of protection for punters who gamble on Malta betting sites.
In other words, in terms of reliability, there is no difference between international gambling companies in Malta and UK.
Because Malta is a highly respected and reputable jurisdiction, internet gamblers can be confident that the Maltese sportsbook that they are playing at (and all other gambling sites by country) abides by rigid standards and can be more easily trusted than some sportsbooks in other less regulated jurisdictions.
In short, Malta gambling sites has a very positive reputation and they deserve it. Both the websites and betting shops in Malta are operated by very high standards.
In other words, you can get the Malta best bets service from any of the Malta gambling sites. But as always, some Malta bet services will be slightly better than others, and it is our job to find the best bookmakers Malta for your betting pleasure.
Well, we are up to the task. The list of iGaming companies in Malta may be long, but we can easily find the best bookmakers in Malta, no matter which country you are from.
There may be hundreds of Malta betting sites, but only a couple of them deserve a place in our “best of” lists. If you are interested in new Malta bookies and the best betting bonuses you can find, take a look at the list of betting companies below. We picked the best Malta betting companies for you.
Top 10 Betting Sites for Malta in 21 November 2024 – Updated List
Who is the Malta Regulatory Authority and What is Its Purpose?
Betting in Malta is overseen by the Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority. It is responsible for enforcing regulations, issuing licenses and enforcing the rules by which betting establishments are bound. In other words, it handles bookmaker complaints too.
It is the Gaming Authority that carries out all screening and investigations of applicants and they are known to be quite strict. Note that it does not have unlimited power and, for example, cannot determine Malta football odds offered for live betting on Malta betting sites.
The commission can handle Malta football betting preview, which means it can check whether the service itself is fair or not, but it cannot set the min/max odd limits on Malta football betting services.
The authority is also tasked with ensuring anti-money laundering laws that are being adhered to (which also is true for Curacao bookmakers) and they also conduct financial audits, ensure data protection practices are followed and enforce policies that deal with responsible gaming. For example, all Malta bookmakers must offer Responsible Gambling practices on their websites, this is one of the license conditions. This also applies to betting shops in Malta, up to an extent.
While the Lotteries and Gaming Authority is also tasked with investigating complaints, this is one area where the authority has been criticized. Punters with complaints are relieved to know that there are other avenues that can be taken to resolve disputes.
In other words, the commission is not your only option to resolve a complaint against Malta betting companies. If you are having a problem with a Malta football betting site, for example, there are other sources you can apply to.
How can a Player Submit a Complaint for Malta Regulated Bookmakers?
Players may lodge their complaints against Malta gambling sites or mobile betting sites, if it’s the case, directly to the Gaming Authority but the authority only deals with complaints in which the bookmaker is in breach of their license. Complaints such as slow payouts, blocked accounts, or software malfunctions should take these issues up with the betting site.
And here is one of the most useful Malta betting tips you can find. If the player cannot get satisfaction, then there are a number of independent entities that deal with customer complaints against bookmakers Malta.
If the complaint is about a license breach, then the authority will thoroughly investigate. These complaints should be submitted to the authority and should contain detailed explanations of the alleged breach. These types of complaints are taken quite seriously by the authorities of the established bookmakers, such as in the Antigua bookmakers case.
Solving a Malta Betting Dispute: Complaints Against Bookmakers
The type of dispute will dictate how the complaint is handled. As mentioned above, if the complaint has to do with a licensing breach then the issue will be handled by the Gaming Authority. The complainant will be informed of the decision taken against the Malta gambling companies.
If the complaint is not related to a license breach, then the authority will refer the complaint to the sportsbook. The licensee is then given 21 days to investigate and respond to the complaint. The authority then gives a decision letter to the complainant which outlines the decision and the reasons for it.
In non-license breach related cases, the complainant may pursue their complaint through other agencies that deal with non license related complaints. These agencies are usually listed on the sportsbook website.
Is Sports Betting Legal in Malta?
Betting on sports is legal in Malta. As long as the customer is of legal age then they can bet on sports and play on betting sites Malta, read BET3000 or Genesis Casino for more info. Online sportsbooks need to be very thorough when verifying the age of its customers.
The online betting sites require an official government picture ID, verification of fixed address, and verification of payment information. These measures comply with the strict anti-money laundering laws as well as abiding by the Know Your Customer (KYC) program.
By choosing Trustly betting sites your banking details are protected (similar to the crypto betting situation) and you will never have to worry about personal data theft as Trustly uses 2048-bit RSA encryption to process a payment.
What are the Requirements of a Malta Sports Betting License?
To begin with, there are 4 different types of betting licenses that can be issued to I-gaming companies in Malta.
A Class 1 License which covers casino games and lotteries, a Class 2 License which covers fixed-odds betting and all other types of Malta betting, a Class 3 License which covers such things as poker and sports betting exchanges (a type of Malta bet), and a Class 4 License which is like a software vendor’s license (you cannot engage in online betting Malta activities with this license but you can sell software to licensed third parties).
These licenses are good for 5-year periods. So, for example, a sports betting Malta license must be renewed every 5 years.
If one wishes to operate betting in Malta, then they would need to at least obtain a Class 2 Gaming License. Once again, this is not a general Malta online gambling license, it just grants the rights to offer sports betting Malta services.
When an application for an online betting Malta license is submitted to the Gaming Authority, it goes through a very strict process. First, the authority scrutinizes every person involved in the company’s management and finances, to make sure that they will be able to offer the Malta best bets service.
These individuals need to be “squeaky clean”. This background check extends internationally to bookmakers by country to make sure it’s all safe. The company’s business plan is then put under review to ensure that it is strong. The prospective company is then checked to ensure that they can comply with operational and statutory requirements.
If the internet betting company makes it through these phases, they are able to prepare to go live. In this phase, the systems are audited to ensure compliance. If all goes well and the authority is satisfied, the sportsbook is granted a 5-year license. Of course, the company is subject to many different ongoing audits of everything from their finances to their systems.
The internet betting companies that set up in Malta, just like the UK bookmakers set in UK, must also have most of their operations physically based in Malta. The betting site must also agree to a high standard of conduct, to promote responsible gambling, and of course, pay taxes.
The first three phases of the licensing process normally takes between 12-16 weeks. Applications can be easily dismissed during any of these phases. The time it takes to implement the fourth phase depends on the speed of the company but they have 60 days to get up and running to the authority’s satisfaction. A license can also be easily revoked if a betting site is found in non-compliance with any regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Betting, as well as gambling, is completely legal in Malta.
Maltese customers can bet using PayPal, however, there might be limitations on the maximum deposit and withdrawal amounts depending on the bookie you choose
Yes, given the fact that Malta has so many operators in the country, you have plenty of options for live betting
Yes, in Malta you can find all sorts from TV shows, obscure sports from distant lands, and political betting including referendums and elections.
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