GGL License vs. Malta Gaming Authority: Differences for German Players

The difference between the GGL license and the Malta Gaming Authority concerns legal validity in Germany. The GGL issues permits under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021. The MGA issues an EU license, which does not provide a legal basis for operation in Germany. Players at providers on the GGL whitelist are protected by the OASIS blocking system and deposit limits. MGA providers often offer higher bonuses, but less local legal protection.

Legal Status: GGL Permit versus MGA License in Germany

The difference between the GGL license and the Malta Gaming Authority is crucial for players in Germany. Only the permit from the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL) makes an offer legal under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). A license from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is not considered a sufficient concession in this country. Providers without a German permit are missing from the official whitelist and carry civil law risks.

Is an MGA License Valid in Germany?

From a German legal perspective, the answer is clear: No. Anyone publicly offering gambling games in Germany strictly requires a permit in accordance with Section 4 of the GlüStV 2021. The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is a recognized supervisory authority within the European Union. However, its license does not replace the national concession. Contracts with providers who only hold a Maltese license but lack a German permit are frequently deemed void by German civil courts.

The Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL) maintains an official whitelist. Only concessioned providers are listed there. If an operator is missing from this list, it is illegal under German law. This has direct consequences for player protection. While the GGL enforces strict limits, MGA providers are subject to different, often less restrictive rules. These do not comply with the requirements of the GlüStV 2021. Players should be aware that with unlisted providers, they have no access to the central OASIS blocking system. In the event of a dispute, they receive little to no state support.

The Role of Freedom to Provide Services in the EU Internal Market

It is often argued that the freedom to provide services in the EU internal market overrides national bans. Theoretically, this principle allows companies to offer their services throughout the Union if they are authorized in a member state like Malta. However, case law has clarified that gambling represents an exception due to the high risk of addiction and the need for consumer protection. Therefore, Germany may enact deviating, stricter rules as long as they are proportionate.

While the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) operates within the framework of EU law, this does not protect its licensees from national sanctions in other member states. The European Court of Justice has previously confirmed that member states are allowed to regulate gambling to ensure public order and player welfare. Thus, the argument of freedom to provide services is legally weak for providers that specifically target the German market without a GGL permit. The Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL) uses this legal basis to take action against illegal offers. This happens regardless of their EU origin.

Location and Supervision: Halle (Saale) vs. Valletta

The physical and legal distance between the supervisory authorities is considerable. The Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL) is headquartered in Halle (Saale) and acts as the central point of contact for German players. From here, compliance with the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) is monitored. This includes technical integration with LIMAS and OASIS. In contrast, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is based in Valletta, Malta.

For German players, this means different complaint procedures. In case of problems with a GGL-licensed provider, they can contact the authority in Halle (Saale) directly. This authority can take swift administrative action. In disputes with MGA providers, however, players often have to pursue lengthy legal processes in Valletta. Language barriers and legal complexities complicate this. They can also limit the enforcement of foreign judgments. This structural separation shows why local supervision by the GGL offers German players the decisive safety advantage.

Player Protection Compared: OASIS, Limits, and Blocking Systems

The essential difference between the GGL license and the Malta Gaming Authority in the area of player protection lies in technical enforceability. The GGL enforces cross-state limits and blocks via OASIS and LIMAS. The MGA relies on provider-internal measures and the segregation of player funds. For players in Germany, this means that only the GGL license guarantees automated, authority-monitored protection against gambling addiction and financial losses. MGA providers have no access to German blocking registers.

OASIS Blocking File: The Central Protection Mechanism of the GGL

The OASIS blocking file is the central, cross-state blocking system for gambling addicts in Germany. It is managed by the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL). It functions as a kind of digital shield. As soon as a player blocks themselves or is blocked by a provider due to suspicious gambling behavior, this information is entered into the OASIS database. Every licensed provider in Germany is legally obligated to verify the user's identity against this database before every game participation.

In contrast, providers with a license from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) have no access to the OASIS blocking file. A self-exclusion valid in Germany therefore does not structurally apply with Maltese providers, as there is no technical connection. This poses a significant risk. Addicted players can easily switch to unregulated platforms without the blocking system preventing this. Although the MGA requires its own self-exclusion mechanisms, these are isolated to the respective platform and offer no overarching protection.

Strict Limits: €1,000 Deposit and €1 Stake

The Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) mandates strict financial ceilings for all providers under GGL supervision. The most well-known instrument is the monthly deposit limit of €1,000. The LUGAS system enforces it across providers. This limit prevents players from circumventing their spending caps by using multiple accounts with different providers. No such central limit exists for MGA-licensed casinos. Here, providers often set their own deposit ceilings. However, these are voluntary and not synchronized across authorities.

Another critical element is the €1 stake limit per spin on virtual slot games. This limit is intended to slow down the rate of financial loss and prevent high losses in a short period. German license holders must technically anchor this limit firmly in their systems. The MGA lacks a comparable requirement for the stake amount per round. Instead, Maltese supervision focuses heavily on the segregation of player funds. Every MGA provider must keep customer deposits in separate accounts from operational business assets. This prevents creditors from accessing player balances in the event of insolvency. While this protects capital, it does not address addiction prevention through stake limitation.

Technical Compliance: LIMAS and the 5-Second Rule

The GGL's technical monitoring takes place via the LIMAS interface (Cross-State Reporting System for Gambling). Through LIMAS, game data is transmitted to the authority in real time. This enables seamless control. A central component of this technical compliance is the 5-second rule. Between two spins on an online slot, there must be a minimum pause of five seconds. This slows down the game pace and makes impulsive playing more difficult.

These technical hurdles are not prescribed for MGA providers. Maltese licenses do require the appointment of a Key Function Holder. This person is responsible for ensuring compliance with internal guidelines. The focus here is primarily on operational integrity and anti-money laundering (AML). The Key Function Holder ensures that the operator complies with Maltese regulations. However, they have no authority to enforce German technical standards such as the 5-second pause. Without integration with LIMAS, player behavior with MGA providers remains invisible to German authorities. Enforcing player protection measures is, in doubt, impossible.

Game Offer and Product Restrictions: Live Casino and Betting

The difference between the GGL license and the Malta Gaming Authority is particularly evident in the scope of the permitted game portfolio. The German GGL license, through the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV), mandates strict product restrictions. These include the ban on live dealer casinos and limits on live betting. The Maltese MGA license allows a wide range of real-time games and event bets. This divergence results from different regulatory philosophies: protection through restriction versus freedom through personal responsibility.

Why Live Dealer Casinos Are Missing from GGL Providers

The absence of live dealer games in the German online casino segment is not a technical gap, but a legal requirement. The GlüStV 2021 classifies live casino offers as unauthorized gambling. They are classified as particularly addictive. Instead, GGL-concessioned providers focus on virtual slot games. These are subject to strict technical inspections. These RNG-based (Random Number Generator) games must be demonstrably fair. They are subject to a maximum stake of €1.00 per spin as well as a monthly deposit limit of €1,000.

In contrast, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) regulates live dealer games under its B2C license structure. The Remote Gaming Regulations serve as the legal framework here. This explicitly permits and monitors such offers. Although the MGA also requires fairness tests, it does not rely on a blanket ban on certain game formats. For players, this means: Those playing under a German license forgo the social interaction and real-time experience of a live table. In return, they receive full protection under the German legal framework, including integration with the OASIS blocking system.

Sports Betting and Live Betting Compared

In sports betting, the difference between the GGL license and the Malta Gaming Authority is particularly evident in the area of live betting. While German providers are allowed to offer sports betting with fixed odds, bets on individual events during an ongoing match (in-play bets) are heavily restricted or prohibited. eSports, political, or entertainment bets also fall under the German advertising and offering ban according to Section 5 of the GlüStV 2021.

Maltese providers operate under the Maltese Gaming Act. This allows for a much more flexible betting portfolio. Here, live bets are available on virtually all conceivable events. This ranges from the next corner kick in football to award ceremonies. The so-called "Bet Builder", which enables individual combination bets, can be used on MGA-licensed platforms without the German restrictions. However, this freedom comes with a higher risk. Since these providers do not hold a German permit, contracts with them are often deemed void under German case law. Players have no direct recourse in German courts in the event of disputes.

License Structure: B2C versus B2B under MGA and GGL

The regulatory architecture of both authorities differs fundamentally in the licensing of the value chain. The MGA issues two main categories: the B2C license (Business-to-Consumer) for operators targeting end players directly, and the B2B license (Business-to-Business) for software providers and platform operators. A B2C license authorizes an online casino to offer games. A B2B license entitles manufacturers like Evolution Gaming or Pragmatic Play to supply their software to licensed operators.

This dual system ensures that both the operator and the technical infrastructure are compliant. Critical suppliers must also demonstrate specific requirements such as ISO/IEC 27001 certifications for information security. This guarantees game integrity. In Germany, the structure is less strongly divided into B2B/B2C in the Maltese sense. It focuses on the permit for the specific gambling operation. Nevertheless, many internationally active companies use the Maltese corporate structure as a back office. In parallel, they acquire the German GGL concession for market access in Germany. This interconnection shows that the MGA license often provides the technical foundation. The GGL license represents local market approval with strict conditions.

Economic Factors: Taxes, Bonuses, and Payment Methods

Players primarily feel the difference between the GGL license and the Malta Gaming Authority in terms of financial burden. In Germany, a 5.3 percent betting tax applies. The availability of bonus offers and payment methods also differs. GGL-licensed providers must factor tax payments directly into the odds or the gameplay. MGA casinos often operate without this specific burden. However, this comes with restricted legal protection and more complex payment routes.

5.3% Betting Tax and Its Impact on Odds

The German betting tax of 5.3 percent represents a central economic factor. It directly influences the odds structure at GGL providers. Since this tax is levied on the stake, licensed operators must pass these costs on. This happens either through worse odds or direct deductions for customers. In comparison, Maltese providers who do not pay German tax could theoretically invest this margin into better odds. This appears attractive in the short term, but ignores long-term tax compliance in Germany.

From a compliance perspective, this differentiation is crucial. The GGL ensures transparent taxation within the German legal sphere. With MGA providers, there is often uncertainty about who bears the tax responsibility. For the player, this means legal security with GGL providers, as the tax burden is clearly regulated. With foreign providers, potential back taxes or gray areas may exist. Thus, the betting tax affects not only the pure profit amount, but also defines the legal framework of the transaction.

Bonus Offers: Restrictions versus Freedom

Another essential aspect of the difference between the GGL license and the Malta Gaming Authority lies in the design of bonus offers. German regulation under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 heavily restricts advertising measures and bonus structures. This is intended to prevent gambling addiction. Therefore, GGL providers typically offer highly restricted bonuses. High incentives are considered addictive.

In contrast, MGA casinos often advertise aggressive bonus offers. These include high deposit bonuses or weekly reload bonuses. This freedom results from less strict advertising regulations in Malta. However, it carries the risk of transparent turnover requirements. An injunction may become relevant here if providers specifically target German players with such offers despite lacking a German permit. This violates Section 5 of the GlüStV 2021. Players should be aware that high bonuses at MGA providers are often linked to complex withdrawal conditions. These are difficult to enforce in the event of a dispute.

Payment Processing: Crypto, BaFin, and GwG Compliance

Payment processing reveals profound structural differences. GGL-licensed providers are subject to strict regulations of the Payment Services Supervision Act (ZAG) and the supervision of BaFin. This generally excludes the integration of cryptocurrencies. BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) plays a central role here. It ensures that only tested and regulated payment service providers are active in the German gambling market. This leads to established methods like PayPal, Trustly, or credit cards dominating. The segregation of player funds is legally mandated. BaFin's strict supervision prevents players from transferring funds to accounts that are not clearly assigned to the licensed operator.

MGA providers, on the other hand, are subject to the Maltese Money Laundering Act (GwG) and the supervision of the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU). Although strict anti-money laundering guidelines apply here as well, the range of payment methods is often broader. It frequently includes cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum. Although the FIAU monitors compliance, German players lack direct integration with national protection mechanisms. BaFin can also order payment blocks against unlicensed providers. This increasingly complicates the use of MGA casinos with cryptocurrencies or other methods. The FIAU thus acts as the Maltese counterpart to German supervision, but without direct enforcement power in Germany. This regulatory gap means that while players have more payment freedom with MGA providers, they must forgo the protection mechanisms of the German financial supervisory authority.

About This Article - Editorial & Responsibility

Author: Sarah Weber - Casino Tester & Bonus Analyst Peer-reviewed by: Dr. Markus Hoffmann - Senior iGaming Compliance Analyst Last Updated: 2026-07-22.

This article on the "difference between GGL license and Malta Gaming Authority" was written by Sarah Weber and peer-reviewed by Dr. Markus Hoffmann. Both regularly update the content regarding regulatory changes, license availability, and bonus terms. All statements regarding licenses, authorities, and legal frameworks refer to publicly accessible sources (GGL (Joint Gambling Authority of the States), Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021)).

About the Author

8+ years of casino reviews, 200+ personally tested platforms in the EU and internationally. Former member of the eCOGRA Player Advocacy Program (2018-2022). Specialization: Turnover requirements, payout workflows, customer support evaluation.

About the Reviewer

12+ years in the iGaming industry, including 5 years as a compliance consultant for licensed operators under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021. PhD in Business Mathematics. Research focus: Bonus mathematics, wager analysis, player protection systems (OASIS).

Responsible Gambling

Gambling can be addictive. If you feel you are losing control over your gambling behavior, please contact BzgA Gambling Addiction Help, Check-dein-Spiel.de, or use the central blocking system (OASIS (central player blocking system)). Set personal deposit and loss limits before you play with real money. Breaks and cooldown functions of the providers are not a sign of weakness - they are a tool for sustainable enjoyment of the game.

Legal Disclaimer

The information in this article serves exclusively editorial and comparative purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. The legal assessment of online gambling without a German license is a gray area and is subject to ongoing adjustments by the GGL (Joint Gambling Authority of the States). Players are themselves responsible for complying with local regulations.