MGA Scales Back Proposed Foreign Gambling Licence Recognition Requirements

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has revised proposed changes to its Recognition Notice framework following consultation with operators, suppliers and their representatives.

The regulator confirmed on October 29 that it had completed its review and circulated a feedback statement to Recognition Notice holders. It said stakeholder responses had informed changes intended to make the approach proportionate, risk-based and practical. Further implementation guidance will follow. 

A Recognition Notice allows an eligible foreign gambling authorisation to have equivalent effect to an MGA authorisation for providing gaming services or supplies in or from Malta. It can cover licences issued in the EU, EEA or jurisdictions the authority considers to offer broadly equivalent safeguards. 

Narrower Ownership and Regulatory Disclosures

According to reporting on the consultation feedback, MGA has reduced its proposed corporate-structure disclosure requirement to information about ultimate beneficial owners.

Companies will no longer be expected to submit five years of regulatory correspondence. Instead, disclosure will focus on material matters concerning licensing and fitness.

Financial reporting will also become less granular. Annual deposit information will be supplied through predefined ranges, while payment-method disclosures will use broader categories.

MGA has dropped a proposed standard template for legal opinions. It will instead identify the substantive questions those opinions must address. 

Separate Treatment for B2B Suppliers

The revised approach distinguishes between consumer-facing operators and B2B suppliers. Suppliers will be excluded from many requirements originally proposed for businesses dealing directly with players.

The initial collection of information covering the 2025 reporting period will apply only to B2C Recognition Notice holders. Industry participants had raised concerns about confidentiality, administrative costs and overlap with checks already performed by foreign licensing authorities.

Stronger Oversight Remains the Objective

The changes refine a proposed strengthening of supervision rather than removing the Recognition Notice system’s eligibility requirements.

MGA launched the targeted consultation in April 2026 after an internal review. It linked the proposals to Malta’s National Risk Assessment and its 2024-2026 anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing strategy.

The stated objectives remain stronger assessments at authorisation and more structured ongoing monitoring, with requirements adapted to the risks and activities of different businesses.