Gaming & iGaming Advisory
Legal and regulatory support for operators, suppliers, affiliates, and service providers through licensing and compliance lifecycles.
Explore the serviceRegulatory & Licensing
Regulatory and Licensing Legal Support in Malta
Advice and support for licensing strategy, regulatory approvals, governance, policies, audits, reporting, renewals, variations, and transfers.
Areas of support include
- Business Licensing
- Licensing Strategy
- Licence Applications
Initial enquiry
Tell us about your matter
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At a glance
Proactive Compliance and Authorisation Strategy
Regulatory and licensing services in Malta provide legal counsel for obtaining and maintaining official authorizations across regulated sectors. We advise on applications, fit-and-proper checks, statutory compliance, AML/CFT policies, and formal interactions with authorities including the MFSA, MGA, and FIAU.
Reviewed by Dr Josianne Cardona Gatt, Advocate (Malta)Last reviewed
Key takeaways
- Strategic evaluation of statutory licensing requirements before formal submission.
- Preparation of comprehensive compliance manuals, AML/CFT policies, and governance frameworks.
- Representation in fit-and-proper scrutiny, source of wealth verification, and regulatory interviews.
- Ongoing advisory for regulatory audits, statutory reporting, and license variations.
Regulatory and Commercial Context
Licensing support grounded in the activity.
Operating in Malta's regulated industries demands stringent adherence to national legislation, European directives, and supervisory standards. The practice provides authoritative guidance through each stage of the regulatory lifecycle.
We assist prospective applicants and established license holders in structuring operations to satisfy capital requirements, governance standards, risk management protocols, and reporting obligations required by statutory regulators.
What’s included
Business licensing and regulatory support
For anyone asking which licence a business needs in Malta, and for licensed businesses that must stay compliant. Select an area to see what it covers.
Business Licensing
- Business licence assessment
- Identifying licences required for a proposed activity
- New business licence applications
- Operational permits
- Commercial activity licences
- Sector-specific approvals
- Licence documentation
- Authority correspondence
Licensing Strategy
- Preliminary regulatory assessment
- Determining whether a licence is required
- Regulatory structuring before business launch
- Application strategy
- Regulatory roadmap
Licence Applications
- Preparation of licence applications
- Supporting documentation
- Business plans required for licensing
- Regulatory questionnaires
- Authority submissions
- Follow-up correspondence
- Regulatory due diligence
Existing Licence Support
- Licence renewals
- Licence variations
- Licence transfers
- Change of ownership
- Change of business activities
- Change of licensed premises where applicable
Compliance
- Regulatory compliance reviews
- Compliance frameworks
- Internal policies
- Procedures
- Regulatory reporting
- Gap analysis
- Compliance audits
- Risk assessments
Authority Representation
- MFSA-related regulatory matters where applicable
- MGA-related matters
- Commerce and business licensing authorities
- Other competent Maltese authorities
- Responses to regulator enquiries
- Inspection and audit preparation
Reference
Key Maltese Regulators and Applicable Statutory Regimes
| Regulatory Authority | Regulated Industry / Activity | Primary Legislation | Key Licensing Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) | Financial services, funds, investment firms, CSPs | Investment Services Act (Cap. 370) / CSP Act | Licence authorization, capital adequacy, prudential supervision |
| Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) | B2C & B2B remote and land-based gaming | Gaming Act (Cap. 583) | B2C gaming service & B2B supply licences, Key Functions |
| Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) | Anti-Money Laundering (AML/CFT) | PMLA (Cap. 373) & PMLFTR | Subject Person compliance, REQ filings, AML audits |
| Information & Data Protection Commissioner (IDPC) | Data protection & privacy | GDPR & Data Protection Act (Cap. 586) | Privacy compliance, DPIA, regulatory investigations |
A Diligent Four-Phase Regulatory Framework
Regulatory Gap Analysis
Evaluating proposed operational models against statutory rules, supervisory directives, and capital thresholds.
Documentation & Governance Build
Drafting policies, compliance procedures, risk matrices, and fit-and-proper submission dossiers.
Authority Liaison & Submission
Submitting formal applications to regulatory bodies and managing regulatory queries through to approval in principle.
Post-Licensing Compliance
Providing continuous advisory support for systems audits, statutory filings, and ongoing supervisory compliance.
Who We Advise
Entities in Regulated Sectors
- Financial service providers, payment institutions, and funds
- Corporate Service Providers (CSPs) and fiduciaries
- Gaming and iGaming operators, platform vendors, and suppliers
- Fintech, digital asset, and emerging tech enterprises
- Subject Persons under Maltese AML/CFT legislation
Common questions
Regulatory & Licensing in Malta: common questions
Short answers about this service and how enquiries are handled. For advice on your own circumstances, contact the practice.
What is involved in a regulatory Fit and Proper assessment in Malta?
Regulatory authorities evaluate four key pillars: integrity and reputation (absence of criminal convictions or sanctions), competence and qualifications (relevant professional experience), financial soundness (clear solvency and documented source of wealth), and operational commitment.
What is an FIAU Risk Evaluation Questionnaire (REQ)?
The REQ is an annual statutory submission required by the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) for all Subject Persons in Malta. It assesses the entity's AML/CFT governance, customer risk profiles, and internal controls.
Can an existing licensed entity transfer or vary its licence in Malta?
Yes, license holders may apply to vary permitted activities, appoint new Key Persons, or transfer equity. Such changes require prior formal notification and regulatory approval from the competent supervisory body.
How long does a regulatory licensing procedure typically take in Malta?
Timelines depend on the specific license category, complexity of corporate shareholding, and responsiveness to regulatory requests. Structured preparatory due diligence significantly reduces review durations.
Official sources
Maltese authorities and sources
Published 15 January 2024 · Updated 15 August 2024 · Reviewed by Dr Josianne Cardona Gatt
- Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA)(opens in a new tab)
MFSA
Single regulator for financial services, banking, funds, and insurance in Malta.
- Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU)(opens in a new tab)
FIAU Malta
National agency responsible for AML/CFT supervision and enforcement.
- Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)(opens in a new tab)
MGA
Supervisory body regulating all remote and land-based gaming activities.
Insights
Regulatory & Licensing in Malta: legal insights
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Discuss Your Licensing Requirements
Contact the practice to discuss regulatory authorizations, compliance policies, or authority liaison in Malta.
