MGA Reports B2B Licence Growth and AI Led Oversight in 2025

MGA Reports Growth in B2B Licences and AI Led Oversight – Malta Strengthens Role as iGaming Regulatory Hub

Key Takeaways

• Malta’s gaming industry generated €1.42bn in Gross Value Added in 2025, accounting for 6.3% of GDP and an estimated 8.2% including multiplier effects.
• The number of active licences fell from 326 in 2023 to 311 in 2025, reflecting consolidation and stricter regulatory expectations.
• B2B Critical Supply Licences increased to 171 in 2025, up from 68 in 2018, now representing more than half of all online gaming licences.
• The MGA has begun implementing AI tools and a new Capital Requirements Policy to strengthen risk based supervision and financial resilience.

Gaming Contributes 6.3% to Malta’s GDP in 2025

The Malta Gaming Authority states in its 2025 Annual Report that the country’s gaming sector generated €1.42bn in Gross Value Added during the year. This marks a 3.5% increase compared with 2024 and represents 6.3% of Malta’s total GDP. When wider multiplier effects are included, the Authority estimates that gaming contributes approximately 8.2% to the national economy.

Employment figures underline the sector’s economic weight. According to the MGA, gaming supports around 19,150 jobs in Malta. Companies holding an MGA licence directly employ more than 15,000 people.

For international operators and suppliers, these figures illustrate the structural role of gaming within the Maltese economy. The jurisdiction continues to position itself as a centre of establishment for online gaming businesses, including those serving cross border markets.

Total Licence Numbers Decline Amid Market Consolidation

Despite continued economic growth, the number of active licences has declined. The MGA reports that total licences fell from 326 in 2023 to 311 in 2025. B2C licences have gradually decreased to 131.

The Authority attributes this reduction to greater market consolidation and higher regulatory expectations placed on licensees. Rather than focusing on licence volume, the MGA states that it prioritises the quality and financial resilience of businesses operating under its framework.

In 2025, the Authority received 38 new gaming licence applications. Of these, 24 related to B2B authorisations. Out of 19 licences issued during the year, 12 were granted to B2B operators. Renewal activity followed a similar pattern, indicating continued investment by technology suppliers and infrastructure providers.

For you as a user of comparison platforms or as an operator evaluating jurisdictions, the lower overall licence count combined with stable economic output signals a shift towards concentration among larger or more specialised businesses.

B2B Segment Expands to More Than Half of Online Licences

The most notable structural change highlighted in the report concerns the B2B segment. The number of B2B Critical Supply Licences increased from 68 in 2018 to 171 in 2025. As a result, B2B businesses now account for more than half of all online gaming licences issued by the MGA.

The Authority links this development to comprehensive licensing reforms introduced in 2018. These reforms were designed to facilitate international B2B businesses, including gaming technology providers and critical supply companies.

According to MGA Chairman Ryan Pace, Malta’s role as a hub for international B2B gaming businesses continues to strengthen as new business models emerge. The Authority states that it continues to attract established operators with strong financial fundamentals and specialised expertise.

For international comparison audiences, the growing share of B2B licensees is relevant because many online casinos, sportsbooks and crypto betting platforms rely on Maltese licensed technology suppliers for platforms, payment infrastructure and software.

AI Led Oversight and Stronger Financial Requirements

The 2025 report frames the year as the starting point of a broader strategy labelled Smarter Regulation. The MGA states that it has begun deploying artificial intelligence tools to improve regulatory analysis, workflows and decision making.

Chief Executive Charles Mizzi says the Authority is using AI to enhance evidence led supervision while ensuring responsible governance of these technologies. The stated objective is to make oversight more agile and risk based rather than increasing regulatory burden.

In parallel, the MGA has strengthened due diligence procedures, anti money laundering and counter terrorist financing supervision, and risk assessment frameworks. A new Capital Requirements Policy requires operators to maintain positive equity positions.

Collectively, these measures are intended to ensure that only financially resilient and well governed businesses operate under the Maltese licence. For operators, this means higher compliance expectations. For users, it indicates closer scrutiny of licensed entities.

Prediction Markets Identified as Emerging Area of Attention

The report also highlights prediction markets as a product category attracting increased international attention. While not new, their growing visibility places them alongside traditional gambling markets and presents regulatory challenges.

Chairman Ryan Pace notes that innovation continues to test existing frameworks. The reference to prediction markets signals that the Authority is monitoring products that may overlap with established betting or gaming models.

For platforms operating across multiple verticals, including sports betting and alternative market products, this indicates that the MGA is assessing how such offerings fit within its regulatory perimeter.

Our Assessment

The MGA’s 2025 Annual Report shows that Malta’s gaming sector remains economically significant while undergoing structural changes. Total licence numbers have declined, but B2B licences have expanded and now form the majority of online authorisations. At the same time, the Authority is introducing AI supported supervision, enhanced AML controls and capital requirements aimed at financial resilience. Together, these developments point to a regulatory framework that is consolidating around established, technology focused and well capitalised operators operating under closer oversight.