Prior Approval Requirements

To apply for the addition of new games and live studios, please visit the Licensee Portal and submit the application called ‘Technical – New Games’. (Fee: €1,000)

A. In the case of the addition of New Games where the Random Number Generator (“RNG”) is not approved, the below documents/information is required:

1. Valid relevant RNG certificate;
2. Key Technical setup and Essential Components documentation;
3. Updated Specifications of the Gaming System Document;
4. A new Gaming Engine accompanied by the relevant technical specifications document.

B. In the case of the addition of a new Live Studio to record live casino services, the below documents/information is required:

1. Location and structure of the Live Casino Premises including a floor plan;
2. Letter by the Gaming/Gov Authorities stating that they have no objection in allowing MGA Inspectors to perform routine inspections without prior notice at the premises where the live casino is set up;
3. A fully documented procedure; allowing MGA officials immediate access upon presentation of the MGA Inspector Card at the overseas live casino for routine or ad hoc inspections – in this case Malta;
4. All technical infrastructure set up – including connectivity to the gaming servers;
5. A description of the primary gaming servers and details of the replication procedures (if applicable). Details should be recorded on the primary gaming servers
6. Real-time replication of Live Casino data to a Maltese Data Centre (live mirroring);
7. A procedure detailing which game data will be available to players;
8. A document outlining the interaction between dealers and players (what will happen in case of Responsible Gaming (“RG”) and abuse issues), including a description of the anti-Collusion Mechanisms;
9. Documentation of all the games and the respective game rules to be offered;
10. Submission of general procedures pertaining to the Live Casino operation

C. In the case of changes to Critical Elements of a Game, including new jackpots, please refer to the requirements set out in the section covering the addition of new Games using unapproved RNGs.

To apply for the addition of a new Game Type/Gaming Vertical, please visit the Licensee Portal and submit a ‘Technical – Change in Game Type/Provider’ application. (Fee: €1,000)

A. In the case of the addition of a new Game Type/Gaming Vertical, the below documents/information is required:

1. Key Technical setup and Essential Components documentation;
2. A declaration confirming that existing policies, other than the updated ones shall still be applicable;
3. Evidence that Share Capital has been increased, if applicable;
4. Evidence of submission for the updated T&Cs,if applicable;
5. Updated Specifications of the Gaming System Document.

In the case of the addition of game providers where the Gaming Vertical is not approved, the below documents/information is required:

• In addition to the requirements set out in the section covering the addition of a new Game Type/Gaming Vertical, the Licensee is required to submit any relevant third-party agreements.

To apply for changes to the Key Essential Components, please visit the Licensee Portal and submit a ‘Technical – Changes to Key Essential Components’ application. (Fee: €1,000)

In the case of changes to Essential Components, the below documents/information is required:

1. A confirmation that the Licensee has not changed or otherwise interfered with the essential components since its prior submission of the documentation;
2. A detailed explanation of the changes that the Licensee intends to make, and the reasons for such change/s;
3. Updated Key Technical Setup and Essential Components documents (including the Technical Setup’s Risk Assessment Report).

To apply for the addition of a new Channel of Delivery, please visit the MGA portal and submit an ‘Technical – Change in Game Type/Provider’ application. (Fee: €1,000)

1. In the case of the addition of a new Channel of Delivery all documents relevant to the new channel and vertical gaming are required. Refer to the requirements set out in the section covering the addition of a new Game Type/Gaming Vertical.
2. To apply for the addition of a new Online Channel of Delivery, please visit the MGA portal and submit a ‘Technical – Changes to Domains/URLs’ application. (Fee: €100 per domain)

In the case of the addition of a new Online Channel of Delivery, including, but not limited to, virtual reality, augmented reality, and mobile, a test environment for the proposed URL is required.

To apply for a conversion to a Corporate Licence, please visit the Licensee Portal and submit a ‘Corporate – Changes to Corporate Licence Entities’ application. (Fee: €1,500)

In the case of a conversion to a Corporate Licence, the below documentation/information is required:

1. Current and post-company structures signed by the applicant, showing all holding companies and the Ultimate Beneficial owners, highlighting which entities should be service entities (and eventually included in the Corporate licence);
2. Due diligence documentation for the new entity (Entity Declaration Forms) and its Directors (Personal Declaration Forms), unless already performed;
3. Description of the services to be offered by the service entities;
4. Declaration regarding the retention of existing policies and procedures, and the relevant updated policies and procedures; Declaration signed by Key Compliance stating that there will be no changes to the Directors and Key Persons within the company, or PDFs for any new Key Persons.

To apply for a Licence Transfer, please visit the Licensee Portal and submit a ‘Corporate – Change in Approved Company Structure’ application, and selecting the ‘Licence Transfer’ option. (Fee: €1,500) The below documentation/information is required:

• Current and post company structures signed by the applicant, showing all holding companies and the Ultimate Beneficial Owners (“UBOs”);
• Sale and Purchase Agreement/Licence Transfer Agreement;
• Due diligence documentation for the new Company (EDFs), new Directors and UBOs (PDFs);
• Source of Funds declaration for the consideration price and any additional investment, including proofs and evidence when requested;
• Bank Player’s Fund declaration in the name of the new Licence holder;
• Declaration signed by the Key Compliance stating that there will no changes to the Directors and Key Persons within the company, or PDFs for any new Key Persons; and
• Declaration regarding the retention of existing policies and procedures, or the relevant updated policies and procedures.

In cases where the Licensee wishes to apply for the surrender of an authorisation, please visit the MGA portal and submit a ‘Licence – Licence Surrender’ application.  The notification, via submission of a complete application needs to be submitted with at least twenty (20) days’ notice.

More information on the processes involved, and the information required can be found here. The Authorised Person needs to provide replies to, and abide by the Termination procedures provided by the Authority which relate to players, the Licensee’s website, the Licensee’s gaming system, and the Licensee’s duties and payable fees.

In cases where the Licensee wishes to apply for the surrender of an authorisation, please visit the Licensee Portal and submit a ‘Licence – Licence Surrender’ application by not later than twenty (20) days prior to the date of the Surrender. The below documentation/information is required:

• The Authorised Person needs to abide by the Termination procedures provided by the Authority which relate to players, the Licensee’s website, the Licensee’s gaming system, and the Licensee’s duty and payable fees;
• Formal certified letter signed by one of the company directors, including information regarding the date of suspension, player operations, pending player funds and winding down of jackpots, general notice on the website, decommissioning of essential components, and settlement of payable duties;
• Prior to the Licence going live again, the Licensee would be required to obtain the Authority’s approval for the desired vertical/s, submit all the updated documentation, submit the operations to a System Audit; and demonstrate compliance to any other requirements which the Authority may impose