Republic of Malta
Malta is the anchor jurisdiction of European online gambling, and the reason is longevity rather than price. The Malta Gaming Authority licenses under the Gaming Act, Chapter 583, in force since 2018, which replaced a fragmented set of class licences with two: a B2C gaming service licence for operators and a B2B critical gaming supply licence for suppliers. That split matters commercially, because it made Malta the natural home for the supplier layer as well as the operator layer. The draw is a stable EU regulator, a ten-year licence covering multiple game types under one authorisation, and a headline gaming tax of 5% on revenue from Malta-based players, alongside licence fees and a compliance contribution. Because the 5% applies to Maltese players only, the effective tax on a business serving other markets is driven by those markets rather than by Malta. The pressure on the model is that a Maltese licence no longer opens the European market by itself. Most significant member states now require a local licence, so Malta functions as a base of establishment and a supplier hub rather than a passport, and operators hold it alongside national licences rather than instead of them. The reputational question is the one to watch. Malta has faced sustained scrutiny over anti-money laundering supervision and over legislation shielding its licensees from enforcement of foreign judgments, and how it handles that determines whether the licence continues to carry weight with banks, regulators and partners.
Gaming Act (Chapter 583 of the Laws of Malta)
B2C Gaming Service Licence
B2B Critical Gaming Supply Licence
Malta remains the default European base for operators and suppliers, though it faces continued scrutiny over how its licensees serve other EU markets and over anti-money-laundering supervision. The practical questions are compliance-contribution costs and how Malta-licensed operators reconcile with the local licensing regimes tightening across the rest of Europe.
The First Hall of the Civil Court granted Spribe an ex parte provisional injunction on 1 September covering two EU trademarks. The evidence the court cited is the kind operators can check for themselves: the two games appearing side by side in a search on Betsson, and a listing that credited Spribe's game to the wrong studio.
The Belgrade-based group will cease operating under its Malta Gaming Authority licence, close the Mozzart.com brand and its affiliate programme, and put its money into markets where it holds a domestic licence. It is the second European operator in a month to decide that a Maltese licence no longer buys what it used to.
Record deposits, a wider margin, less debt, and a guidance cut of up to €18m. The market read the affiliate's Q2 as evidence that the World Cup did not convert, and it has €91.5m of bonds due in December.
Abu Dhabi, Bhutan and Malta's financial regulators are observing a post-quantum custody pilot using the NIST signature standard finalised two years ago. The reason to care is not the cryptography. It is which regulators turned up.
A record World Cup drove Kambi's second-quarter revenue up 13.5% and more than doubled its adjusted earnings, prompting the sportsbook supplier to lift its full-year profit guidance.
Following the successful conclusion of the Casino Guru Awards 2026, winners, sponsors, and industry leaders have shared their reflections on an evening that celebrated excellence, responsibility, innovation, and positive change across the global iGaming industry.
Hosted by Denisa Vydumska, the gala honored operators, providers, and individuals who are actively shaping a more transparent, innovative, responsible, and player-focused future for iGaming. The event featured dazzling live performances, powerful speeches, world-class entertainment, and emotional winner announcements that highlighted the incredible progress being made across the industry.
Taking place on May 25 at Xara Lodge in Malta, ahead of the NEXT Valletta conference, the Awards have established themselves as one of the industry’s most respected recognitions for fairness, player protection, and ethical business practices.
Casino Guru has been named the runner-up in the 2026 SBC Awards Europe Casino Affiliate of the Year category at the official ceremony that took place on April 30 at Xara Lodge.
Malta Gaming Authority
Legislation Malta
Industry practitioner guides (BDO Malta, Legal 500, gamingcompliance.io)
Malta Gaming Authority