Casinos in Malta

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Introduction

Malta may only have a small handful of casinos on the small group of three islands in the archipelago off the coast of Sicily but it is an international leader in gaming regulation. The few casinos on the main island of Malta form up an important part of the nation’s economy. Its location on the Mediterranean makes it a natural stop or final destination for tourism in the region. The country’s casinos have capitalized on the opportunity by providing an upscale gambling experience focusing on quality over quantity with its four land-based casinos.

While nearly all western top-tier casinos have a few things in common, each region offers its own flavor and blend of local culture and a vibe that is unique to each area as well as from venue to venue in any given country such as Malta. Players from Europe and beyond visit Malta not only for the nightlife and casinos but also for the beaches, outdoor attractions like Comino, Blue Grotto, and Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, as well as historical sites reflecting the country’s long history such as Hagar Qim Temple and the Grandmaster Palace Courtyard.

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) regulates both land-based and online gambling in the country but also throughout Europe and the world as it is perhaps the largest legitimate online gambling authority in the world with about 400 well-regulated online operations licensed under its authority. 

There are four casinos on the main island, three are located in St. Julians and one in St Pauls’ Bay. Each one of them offers a unique atmosphere and a slightly different mix of games. With strict licensing requirements and a commitment to responsible gaming, Malta is understood to be a safe, reliable, and attractive gambling destination with strict licensing standards and a strong commitment to responsible gambling practices. Low-rolling slots players and high-level table bettors mix together in casinos with a little something for everyone and have a world outside the casinos to explore for recreation and cultural tourism, and they have other amenities to sample such as the legendary cuisine and hospitality.

But the casinos are and the regulators are not the only gambling industry players here. All online casino hosting and servers have to be located in Malta to comply with their Malta online gaming licenses, so all companies have at least a presence there and many have made Malta the home of their international headquarters.

History of Gambling

Malta and gambling go back centuries together and international visitors have always been a part of the Maltese economy owing to the island’s strategic location for shipping and reshipping throughout the Mediterranean. Like many other places, especially those that have a lot of international passthrough traffic, informal gambling was widespread long before formal laws were enacted to form an organized and regulated industry there.

By the middle of the 1900s, tourism began to grow solidly and the government saw casinos as a way to tap into the money flowing into and through Malta. Dragonara was the first casino to open in 1964, it opened at Dragonara Palace which was originally built in 1870. That marked the beginning of what would become a major industry that now reaches almost all of Europe as well as parts of North, Central, and South America through the MGA’s online licensing regime.

Dragonara’s opening triggered organic growth that provided a new form of organized gambling entertainment, a sustainable year-round draw for international tourists, and a solid economy with employment constantly growing. The MGA currently supports the employment of about 12,000 people (MGA Overview .PDF), including the private employment numbers generated by casino operators, game developers, suppliers, auditors, financial services companies, and advertising affiliates to name but a few sectors adding to the economy that can be traced back directly to the July 15, 1964, opening of Dragonara Casino.

Nowadays Malta has become known as “The Silicon Valley of iGaming” but the land casino base remains solid and works in harmony with the online operators not only because they have the same regulator, but because at least two of the casinos stream live dealer casino games all around the globe through virtual casinos based in Malta as well as studios like those run by Evolution.

Legislation and Jurisdiction

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) oversees all gambling activities in Malta and enforces some of the strictest regulations in the industry. Land-based casino owners have to get a government concession before applying for a B2C license and commencing operations.

Casinos are usually licensed for ten years and have to stage no fewer than 225 electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and 15 gaming tables. Unlike most gambling realms in the world, Daily inspections by MGA officials are a regular part of the oversight process in Malta - nothing escapes the watchful eye of regulators on the casino floor, and entities, public or private, that attempt corrupt practices are usually found out quickly and dealt with harshly. It’s rare but malfeasance happens in every industry and in every jurisdiction within the gambling industry, The only safeguard is a robust regulatory framework and an aggressive regulator like the MGA.

All players go by the same rules here as well with no distinction between natives and visitors except the age to enter. Every customer has to present a valid ID to enter a gambling establishment with Malta citizens 25 and over welcome along with visitors who have attained the age of 18. Player identification is a core part of Malta’s responsible gambling measures online and on land. Some of the most recent legislative modifications to the gambling law include more stringent anti-money laundering rules and legislation that allows applications to be processed more efficiently.

Popular Spots and Games

If you’ve ever heard the real estate trope about location, that applies in Malta when comparing the land casinos to those almost anywhere else. The locales were carefully chosen to reflect something intrinsic about the Maltese experience. From St. George’s Bay to the Dragonara Castle perched on the tip of the ‘Tad-Dragun’ peninsula in St. Julian’s, all of the gaming venues are quintessentially Matese. Dragonara Casino is one of Malta’s most remarkable private properties with most of its original architecture preserved.

Dragonara Casino

Dragonara Casino is Malta’s oldest and one of its most beautiful casinos. The venue is situated in a 19th-century palace that overlooks St. Julian’s Bay. The casino has a good mix of games, from slots to poker and roulette. It also serves as a live-streaming hub for online gaming.

Portomaso Casino

Portomaso Casino is another highly sought-after gambling venue located in the Portomaso Marina complex. It offers upscale gambling in a refined environment. This casino has also streamed live dealer games to online platforms blurring the line between in-person gambling and the virtual world with cutting-edge technology.

Casino Malta

Casino Malta is the island’s largest casino. Located in St. Julian’s, the casino has a dedicated poker room, a hopping sports bar, and a well-curated collection of modern slots and traditional table games, so all types of gamblers are welcome. Look for regular events and tournaments.

Oracle Casino

Oracle Casino offers more of a laid-back atmosphere and appeals to players who are looking for relaxed gaming. Oracle is located away from St. Julian’s in Bugibba. The seaside casino is on the other side of the island across Salina Bay and a spit of land. It offers slots, roulette, blackjack, and poker and is mostly popular with locals but plenty of visitors from other countries also call it their favorite. Oracle offers one of the most approachable and attainable VIP packages of any casino of its caliber in the world with a minimum deposit of €2,500.

Conclusion

Malta’s land casino industry is an integral part of its tourism industry and overall economy. There are four casinos and no rule against offering another license except that a government concession must be secured before applying. We mention this because a Hard Rock Hotel is opening in 2026 and in 2021 the government called for a fifth concession. There has not been any public activity linking Hard Rock to that concession but anything is possible.