Malta Gaming Authority, Class 2
Cost
€5,000 application + €25,000-€35,000 annual licence fee
Timeline
6-9 months
Capital
€100,000 paid-in
Sports betting regulated by Malta Gaming Authority.
Who it suits
Operators offering fixed-odds and pari-mutuel betting on sports, racing, e-sports, and other contingencies. Often held alongside Class 1 for a casino-plus-sportsbook brand.
Compliance load
Same MGA framework as Class 1: annual systems audit, quarterly reporting, AML/CTF, player-protection. Sports-data integrity rules also apply (no betting on sub-events involving conflicts of interest).
The acquiring angle
Sportsbook MCC (7995) sits alongside casino in the MGA framework, same broad acquirer acceptance. Settlement timing requires care: long-window pre-event bets create elevated reserve exposure compared to instant casino settlement, so reserves typically run 7-12% rather than 5-10%.
Notes and pitfalls
Sports betting brands often forget to disclose live-betting volumes when applying, can trigger acquirer pricing renegotiation post-onboarding. In-play margins drive higher chargeback exposure than pre-match.
Reference information, not legal advice. Figures are typical ranges as of 2026.
MGA Class 2 questions.
How do acquirers view the MGA Class 2 licence?
Acquirer acceptance is Broad. Sportsbook MCC (7995) sits alongside casino in the MGA framework, same broad acquirer acceptance. Settlement timing requires care: long-window pre-event bets create elevated reserve exposure compared to instant casino settlement, so reserves typically run 7-12% rather than 5-10%.
What does the MGA Class 2 cost and how long does it take?
Cost: €5,000 application + €25,000-€35,000 annual licence fee. 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 2 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.