Gambling permits and licenses from various regulatory authorities have propelled the online gambling industry across the world. In the last few years, online casino gambling has reached and crossed continents to reach even the smallest islands. This is the reason gambling is regulated in some form, with security and safety for players and fair-trading practices for all participants.
The increasing demand for trustworthy licensed operators makes way for incentives for liberalizing the online casino market. That is the reason it is challenging for the operators to comply with these regulations. Thus, it has put many obstacles in the way of a small gaming company. Malta and Curacao are the top two license providers in the industry. However, the question that troubles many is which is better- Malta or Curacao. You will get to know about that by the end of this article.
Malta Gambling Licenses
Malta is the first member of the European Union for regulating online gambling. It had been introduced in 2001 and eventually, Malta Gaming Authority was formed. Due to this, even today, Malta offers licenses in different categories. These include;
Critical Gaming License
It is a B2B license, which helps casino operators carry out crucial operations and important game supply chance of hardware or software.
Gaming Service License
It is a type of license application for players to offer and carry out gaming services legally. Among them, there are many divisions, from Type 1 to Type 4, for different service types.
Advantages of Having a License from Malta Gaming Authority
Malta Gaming Authority comes with many advantages, and we are going to take a look at them;
- The protection of the operators and players is the top priority.
- It has strict regulations and a stable framework.
- The operator enforces anti-money laundering regulations and laws very strictly.
- Multiple types of licenses are available at the online casino that is active for up to 10 years at a time.
- It is a reputable license provider in the iGaming market.
Disadvantages of Having a License from the Malta Gaming Authority
There are also a few disadvantages to having a license from the Malta Gaming Authority-
- The complete application process to get a license is complex and long.
- License fees and taxation for MGA licenses can be very expensive and higher than in Curacao.
- Your considerable portion of infrastructure, offices, and operations should be physically located in Malta.
Curacao Gambling Licenses
Curacao is the ideal destination for land-based companies, startups, and entrepreneurs who want to set foot in internet gambling with little investment. According to online casino groups, presently, Curacao eGaming license is the most popular license provider in the world. It has offered licenses to more than 450 casinos until now. To get started, online casinos only have to cater to minimal requirements. Also, Curacao eGaming has the shortest processing time.
Advantages of Having a Licenses from Curacao eGaming License
Here are the advantages casinos having a Curacao eGaming license get to enjoy;
- It is an affordable and quick way to get a license right now. Usually, it only takes 2 business days. Moreover, the maintenance and setup costs are minimal.
- The amount of bureaucracy involved makes the process of obtaining a license easy and hassle-free. So, it offers the easiest and quickest jurisdiction control.
- Just one license covers all activities in the online gambling line, no matter whether it is sports betting or casino games.
- Curacao is ideal for startups and beginners who are looking for a little flexibility and expanding their client base.
- The casino charges Zero taxes on the services and offerings and is yet completely compliant with global standards.
Disadvantages of Having a Licenses from Curacao eGaming License
The license provider comes with some drawbacks, too. Check them out below;
- It is not very reputable among gamblers or in the online gambling world.
- Curacao supposedly offers less protection to the players. As they do not impose strict regulations on the companies, they can be easy prey.
- The flexibility it offers also means less accountability, sanctions, and safety. Hence, it can put your hard-earned money at risk.
Malta Gaming Authority vs Curacao eGaming: Which Gambling License Is Better?
If you ask any online casino player or operator, they will always tell you that Curacao is always more affordable and easier. This is the reason it is highly preferred. Malta Gaming Authority is the choice for the more sophisticated and elite. However, many things differentiate them.
Malta Gaming Authority has downloadable documents for all gaming sector companies and casinos. So, you will be able to verify the roots of the online casino, such as its year of establishment, software providers, RTP, and more. It serves as useful information for players across the world. It was established in 2001 and is 12% of the GDP of the country.
Curacao eGaming set its foot in the market in 1996. However, it was in 2016 that it started offering licenses to online casinos. Curacao eGaming is a part of the Curacao Gaming Control Board. Presently, it is the most affordable choice for gambling forms across the world, including banking, structure, legal, and other expenses.
So, if you are in a dilemma as to whether Malta is better or Curacao, you should consider the things given below;
- Gambling and betting avenues in a casino.
- Availability of professional online gambling software.
- Merchant account for payment getaways.
- Active and authentic gambling licenses for legal gambling in the country.
There are many gambling regulatory bodies and license providers. These are the two most common ones.
Malta is more complex and expensive but also a better choice in the long term. It will help casinos focus on quality and not quantity. Curacao eGaming is important, too, as it gives the freedom and flexibility that many require to start a company and grow steadily. However, it doesn’t mean that all companies are of bad quality or fraud. In the end, the better license ultimately comes down to the operators and customers.