What is an MGA casino?
An MGA casino is any casino that is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority. This is a licensing body that has the power to grant remote licenses to any casino across the world, but is particularly popular with European casinos. Casinos in the EU favour the MGA thanks to its stringent rules that put player protection ahead of everything else.
Is the Malta Gaming Authority licence safe/trustable?
The MGA licence is considered one of the safest worldwide. It puts a strong focus on player protection, making sure that casinos offer fair games, safe payment providers, and have strong responsible gambling tools in place.
As part of their licensing agreement, any MGA casino must show their license clearly on their website. At most casinos, you’ll find the licensing information in the footer (the bottom) of the page.
The best MGA casinos
Looking for an EU casino that’s safe and trustworthy, but also great fun? Below are four of our favourite MGA casinos.
GGBet - Best for Sports and Casino Combined
Many casino players also enjoy betting on sports and GGBet makes it possible to do the whole lot safely and easily thanks to its MGA licence. This casino regularly gets great reviews thanks to its mobile-first approach, excellent odds on sports (and esports) as well as its player-friendly bonus terms.
Bingo Bonga Casino - Biggest MGA Casino Catalogue
If you’re the kind of player that values a huge quantity of casino games to choose from then Bingo Bonga Casino might be your next favourite site. This MGA casino offers over 6,000 games with particularly strong slots and live dealer selections. Their cashback bonuses are amongst the best in the industry.
N1 Casino - Best MGA Casino App
If you’re after a mobile MGA casino that’s second to none then N1 Casino is the best option. There are dedicated mobile apps for both Android and iOS that you can download directly from the Google Play and App Store. The loyalty programme for this casino is also particularly good.
Lunar Spins Casino - Best New MGA Casino
Lunar Spins is a brand new MGA casino for 2025 that’s already gathered lots of positive player reviews. There are 20 top providers on board and already more than 5,000 games in the catalogue - and growing all the time.
How to check if an online casino has an MGA licence?
Part of the licensing rules for any MGA online casino is that they must show their MGA license clearly on their site. This is great news for you, as it means it’s really easy to check that a casino has a valid licence.
Just head to the MGA casino of your choice and scroll all the way to the footer. You should see an MGA license number. Copy and paste this number into Google and it should come up on the MGA website.
Tip: Some casinos make it even easier by providing a link to the MGA licence when you click on the number.
Check for the MGA logo and licence number
Scroll to the footer of the casino’s homepage. Look for the official Malta Gaming Authority logo and a licence number. Many sites link directly to the MGA’s verification page so it’s easy to find out if they’re legit.
Research the casino’s reputation
Read player reviews, browse casino forums, and check sites like ours. A strong MGA licence is a good start, but consistently positive feedback is even better!
Browse the games lobby
Look for your favourite games or providers. A top MGA casino will usually work with industry leaders like NetEnt, Evolution, Pragmatic Play, and Play’n GO. Make sure you’ve got plenty of choice of games so there’s no danger of getting bored.
Compare bonuses (and read the terms!)
Even though MGA rules limit excessive offers, most MGA casinos still offer really valuable promotions. Always check wagering requirements, max wins, and game eligibility to make sure it’ll be easy to use your bonus and withdraw any winnings.
Test the site on mobile
Most great MGA casinos are mobile-friendly, in fact many even have dedicated apps. Check performance, game access, and login ease on your phone or tablet. Then go ahead and sign up.
How does the MGA license keep players safe?
The MGA license is one of the most worthwhile licenses EU casinos can apply for. It’s widely considered amongst the most stringent of remote licensors, ensuring that players at any casino MGA can trust they’re receiving a fair game.
Below is an overview of some of the rules that the MGA insists its casinos uphold to keep players safe.
Rule | Reason |
To display their license clearly on the website. | To ensure operators with false licenses can be spotted. |
To not encourage players to engage in continuous, prolonged gameplay. | To try to encourage responsible gambling. |
Not encourage players to wager their winnings, chase losses, or spend more than they can afford. | To ensure players don’t bet beyond their means. |
Ensure the RTP is the same for demo games as real money games. | To make sure players aren’t tempted to play games with a falsely increased RTP. |
Monitor and take action if irresponsible gambling patterns occur. | To try to reduce problem gambling. |
To prevent players from gambling under the age of 18. | To protect minors. |
To offer deposit, loss, and time limits to all players. | To encourage responsible gambling. |
To make self exclusion available to all players and straight forward. | To help players with a gambling problem take a break. |
To offer an ADR (alternative dispute resolution) service to players. | To ensure players receive fair representation if they encounter a problem. |
Good alternatives to MGA casino sites
While MGA casino sites are super popular and guarantee you a safe, fair, and fun experience, the MGA isn’t the only remote licensing agency out there. Plenty of international casinos look to other licensing agencies. Below are two of the other common licences you’ll come across when looking for safe, legal casinos to play at.
Curacao Casinos
The Curacao license is one of the most popular remote gambling licenses worldwide. Playing at a Curacao casino like Verde casino or Drip casino ensures you’re playing at a safe and legal site.
Anjouan Casinos
The Anjouan casino license is a little less common, but becoming more popular with new casinos looking for a trustworthy remote license. Boomerang casino is one of our favourite casinos with an Anjouan license.
MGA casino bonuses: what you can expect
One of the most common misconceptions is that the new MGA casinos don’t offer exciting bonuses. Honestly? That couldn’t be further from the truth! While it’s absolutely true that the MGA regulates how bonuses are promoted, this is to protect players from unfair or misleading offers.
MGA casino bonuses are actually some of the most generous around, especially when you take into account that the bonus terms have to stand up to scrutiny from the MGA. Below are some of the ways that the MGA ensures that casino bonuses are fair (and fun).
- Transparent wagering requirements – there are no sneaky terms or impossible conditions in MGA bonuses, just simple wagering requirements that you don’t need to search for hours to find.
- Caps on maximum winnings from free spins – all MGA casinos have to advertise what the cap is on your winnings. This helps to avoid players signing up for a bonus just because they thought they could win millions.
- Bonuses restricted by time or game – casinos can’t encourage you to play indefinitely on all of the games in their catalogue. Instead they have to clearly state which games the bonus can be used on, or give an expiry date, so you’re not stuck in a wagering loop.
Big Bass Bonanza
Pragmatic Play
Book of Ra Deluxe
Novomatic
Sugar Rush
Pragmatic Play
What types of bonus can you claim at an MGA casino?
Despite being tightly regulated, MGA casinos still offer a wide range of bonuses. Better still, they have to be more transparent and manageable than the over-the-top promos found at unlicensed sites. Here are the most common types of casino bonus you’ll come across:
Welcome Bonuses
These usually include a matched deposit (e.g. 100% up to €200) and a set number of free spins. Terms are clearly laid out (like wagering requirements, max bet limits, and eligible games) so you can fully understand the bonus you’re signing up for.
Free Spins
Often awarded as part of a welcome offer or sometimes on their own as part of wager free or no deposit promotions, free spins are a slot enthusiast’s best friend. Some MGA casinos even drop daily or weekly free spins into your account based on your recent activity.
Reload Bonuses
These are bonuses offered on any deposit that happens after your first one. Some casinos give them out on every deposit, some give them out at specific times like over weekends or special events. For example, you might get a 50% bonus up to €100 every Friday to kick off your weekend play.
Cashback Offers
Rather than confusing reward structures, many MGA casinos offer flat-rate cashback. This could be something like 10% cashback on your net losses every week. This can be a huge boost to your bankroll and as an extra perk it very often comes with no wagering requirements attached.
Loyalty Programs
Most MGA casinos have tiered VIP or loyalty schemes where you earn points for playing. These points can be exchanged for bonuses, spins, or real cash. Loyalty perks may also include faster withdrawals, birthday gifts, or a personal account manager. We’ve even seen some casinos offering holidays and cars!
Tournaments and Missions
Some MGA casinos run regular slot tournaments or game missions with prize pools and leaderboard rewards. These add a social, competitive element to your gameplay and if you do happen to make it to the top, the prizes can be seriously large, all for very small stakes.
FAQ
Do MGA casinos allow cryptocurrency payments?
Some do, but it's not quite as common as it is at Curacao-licensed sites. The MGA has strict rules around payment processing, so any crypto-friendly MGA casino will still need to convert crypto deposits into fiat currency (like EUR) on the back end. This means you might deposit with crypto, but your account balance will be shown in ‘traditional’ currency.
Are MGA casinos better than Curacao casinos?
MGA casinos tend to have stricter rules around player safety, game fairness, and responsible gambling tools. Curacao casinos can still be good, especially for crypto players or those seeking the largest bonuses, but MGA casinos are generally more strictly regulated across Europe.
What does the MGA actually do?
The Malta Gaming Authority regulates online casinos to ensure they operate fairly and responsibly. They audit games, enforce anti-money laundering laws, and require all licensed casinos to provide player protection tools like deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion. In short, they make sure casinos uphold their end of the bargain.
Author
Kristaps Soloveiko
Seasoned gaming expert