The Unique Vibe of Malta’s Casino Industry
Of all the things that Malta is famous for on the world stage, perhaps the most unique and interesting is its relationship with the casino industry. Unlike countries and cities like Monaco, Macau, and Las Vegas, the Maltese casino market has only recently taken off on a large scale.
Nonetheless, it has become an integral part of what it means to be Malta. The industry is as much a part of the islands as the stunning coastlines and rich history. That all of this casino growth has mostly occurred in the 21st Century has given it a flavour unlike any other region on earth.
From the way it has shaped the country’s employment and demographics to the boom in industry travel, the Malta casino industry has shaped a modern European nation at the forefront of market growth. With all that said, just what makes this country’s casino market so unique when compared with its peers?
MGA Licensing Establishing the Online Casino in Malta
Malta has established itself as a key player in the casino industry primarily through its relationship with the digital world of casino gaming. Ever since the very first sites appeared in the 90s, the nation has been quick to adapt to the new landscape that they presented.
The establishment of the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has had the biggest effect on the industry in the country and across Europe. Its framework for licensing online casino sites has been one of the key factors in growing a market rapidly in the face of a completely new technology and consumption behaviours.
Now, all of the best online casinos in Malta and across Europe are licensed by the MGA. At sites like Online-Casinos.com, which rank operators based on several factors, the most important one is that the site is licensed by the MGA. This has led to the industry on the islands being the de facto authority across the continent.
Changing Demographics Amid Employment Growth
As the islands are now seen as the industry’s leading voice, Malta has become a base for many operators and ancillary online casino businesses. That has meant an entirely new industry has grown from nothing within 30 years, which has led to a boom in jobs and the need for a skilled workforce.
Due to the nature of the business, this has largely encouraged an international workforce of people in their 20s and 30s arriving in Malta from all around the world. The Times of Malta recently reported that the country’s population was now made up of 30% born outside of the country, with the majority of these people focused in the working-age demographic.
This has seen a seismic shift in the country. Where it was once seen as a nation of history, defined by its tumultuous past in the middle of the Mediterranean, it has now become an even more vibrant place to be for the youth of Europe. This has even helped support other industries, such as leisure, where pubs, bars, and coffee shops have seen a growth of nearly 15% in revenue in the last five years.
Booming Yearly Casino Industry Tourism
As the home of Europe’s digital casino industry, Malta has become the place to be for everyone with a stake in it. That means that, every year, industry heads and delegates will descend on Valetta to mingle and discuss the outlook for the future and how to grow a market that is already experiencing the highest of highs.
In 2024, SiGMA, an industry conference, saw a whopping 27,000 delegates attend, which is more than would be expected even for an event like the Malta Open. That meant €3 billion to the local economy, but it also meant one of the biggest influxes of inbound visitors at any one time that Malta has ever experienced. It created a carnival-like party atmosphere that saw both congested traffic and packed bars and clubs.
There is no other country on earth that would experience visitor numbers of nearly 5% its entire population just for one event. In London, which is also a regular home of similar events, that would mean just short of half a million people attending – for the UK as a whole, that would be around 3.5 million!
A Casino Industry With No Signs of Slowing
Internationally, the online casino industry is going from strength to strength. It is expected to become a $55 billion market in 2025, making it one of the largest gaming verticals in the world. It shows no signs of being slowed, and it’s likely that 2026 will bring further growth. If that is the case, it will mean more licensing coming through the MGA and more revenue for the islands’ businesses.
This can only mean good things for Malta, with its place established as Europe’s premier authority on iGaming. With an influx of digital natives moving to the islands, too, it’s likely that they will be able to help shape the industry going forward, further confirming that the country is home to the best workforce.
As it grows and becomes an untouchable pillar of the Maltese economy and social landscape, the casino industry will continue to shape the way the residents of Malta and its visitors interact with the island. For years to come, it looks likely that Malta will have the most unique casino scene on the continent.
