Malta Gaming Authority, Class 1
Cost
€5,000 application + €25,000-€35,000 annual licence fee + 0.55% gaming compliance contribution (revenue-based, capped)
Timeline
6-9 months
Capital
€100,000 paid-in
Casino regulated by Malta Gaming Authority.
Who it suits
B2C online casino operators serving EU markets, slots, table games, live casino. Class 1 is the casino-gaming class; Class 2 (sports), Class 3 (P2P poker), and Class 4 (B2B platform supply) cover the other models.
Compliance load
Annual systems audit by an MGA-approved auditor. Quarterly L2 reporting. Strict AML/CTF including PEP screening and ongoing transaction monitoring. Mandatory player-protection: deposit limits, self-exclusion, problem-gambling controls.
The acquiring angle
The most acquirer-friendly iGaming license in Europe. Tier-one EU acquirers in our network underwrite MGA operators routinely. Pricing typically lands at 0.5-2.5% IC++ markup over interchange. Rolling reserves 5-10% common. Class 1 commands the broadest acquirer pool of all the MGA classes.
Notes and pitfalls
Operators without a payments specialist on the application team typically wait 9+ months. Curaçao operators migrating up to MGA underestimate the AML/compliance uplift required. UBO structures with offshore holding companies trigger extended scrutiny.
Reference information, not legal advice. Figures are typical ranges as of 2026.
MGA Class 1 questions.
How do acquirers view the MGA Class 1 licence?
Acquirer acceptance is Broad. The most acquirer-friendly iGaming license in Europe. Tier-one EU acquirers in our network underwrite MGA operators routinely. Pricing typically lands at 0.5-2.5% IC++ markup over interchange. Rolling reserves 5-10% common. Class 1 commands the broadest acquirer pool of all the MGA classes.
What does the MGA Class 1 cost and how long does it take?
Cost: €5,000 application + €25,000-€35,000 annual licence fee + 0.55% gaming compliance contribution (revenue-based, capped). Timeline: 6-9 months. Capital: €100,000 paid-in. These are typical ranges as of 2026; verify with the regulator before budgeting.
Does BZNpay help with MGA Class 1 applications?
No. We are an introducer to acquirers, not a licensing agent. We can tell you how this licence plays with the acquirer pool and introduce you to the partners whose appetite covers it.