Malta and Curaçao are two of the most common jurisdictions in online gambling, but they differ significantly in regulation, requirements, and advantages. Let’s break down each jurisdiction in more detail.
🇲🇹 Malta
Regulatory authority: Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).
The framework is strict yet flexible, focused on innovation and consumer protection. Suitable for operators of any scale, but requires compliance with high standards.
License types: B2B and B2C.
💸 Costs:
🔴 Application fee — € 5,000;
🔴 Annual fee — € 25,000;
🔴 Registration fee — individual;
🔴 Share capital — from € 40,000 to € 240,000;
🔴 License validity — 10 years;
🔴 Processing time — from 3−4 months.
🇨🇼 Curaçao
Regulatory authority: Curaçao Gaming Control Board (CGCB).
License types: B2B and B2C. Applications can be submitted online. The license is issued for 1 year.
💸 Costs:
🔴 Application fee — € 4,600;
🔴 Due diligence per individual — up to € 260;
🔴 Monthly fee — € 2,050;
🔴 Annual fee — € 24,530;
🔴 Domain fee — € 260;
🔴 Processing time — can be as fast as 3−4 days.
🔖 Important! Operating under a sub-license is no longer allowed — an individual license is required.
🌎 The license is not valid in certain countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
Obtaining a Curaçao license is simpler and more cost-efficient. No VAT is charged. Corporate income tax for gambling operators is 2%.
Which One to Choose?
Malta — flexibility and innovation:
➕ Corporate tax rate — 5%;
➕ Focused on new segments, including esports;
➕ Suitable for those seeking a balance between innovation and strict regulation;
➖ Increasing competition and closer scrutiny from the EU.
Curaçao — a fast and cost-effective market entry:
➕ License from € 20,000 per year with a low tax rate;
➕ Ideal for startups and crypto-focused operators;
➖ Weaker regulatory oversight and limited player protection;
➖ Market restrictions.
Regulatory authority: Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).
The framework is strict yet flexible, focused on innovation and consumer protection. Suitable for operators of any scale, but requires compliance with high standards.
License types: B2B and B2C.
💸 Costs:
🔴 Application fee — € 5,000;
🔴 Annual fee — € 25,000;
🔴 Registration fee — individual;
🔴 Share capital — from € 40,000 to € 240,000;
🔴 License validity — 10 years;
🔴 Processing time — from 3−4 months.
🇨🇼 Curaçao
Regulatory authority: Curaçao Gaming Control Board (CGCB).
License types: B2B and B2C. Applications can be submitted online. The license is issued for 1 year.
💸 Costs:
🔴 Application fee — € 4,600;
🔴 Due diligence per individual — up to € 260;
🔴 Monthly fee — € 2,050;
🔴 Annual fee — € 24,530;
🔴 Domain fee — € 260;
🔴 Processing time — can be as fast as 3−4 days.
🔖 Important! Operating under a sub-license is no longer allowed — an individual license is required.
🌎 The license is not valid in certain countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
Obtaining a Curaçao license is simpler and more cost-efficient. No VAT is charged. Corporate income tax for gambling operators is 2%.
Which One to Choose?
Malta — flexibility and innovation:
➕ Corporate tax rate — 5%;
➕ Focused on new segments, including esports;
➕ Suitable for those seeking a balance between innovation and strict regulation;
➖ Increasing competition and closer scrutiny from the EU.
Curaçao — a fast and cost-effective market entry:
➕ License from € 20,000 per year with a low tax rate;
➕ Ideal for startups and crypto-focused operators;
➖ Weaker regulatory oversight and limited player protection;
➖ Market restrictions.