Malta vs Curaçao
Malta and Curaçao sit at opposite ends of the licensing market. Malta's MGA is an EU regulator issuing 10-year licences, with gaming tax (15% on Type 1 games, 10% on Types 2 to 4) charged only on revenue from Malta-based players. Curaçao is a low-cost Caribbean hub, mid-transition to direct licensing under its 2024 LOK, with roughly 2% effective corporate tax and no GGR gaming tax.
Key differences
- Standing: Malta is an EU/EEA regulator; Curaçao is a third-country offshore jurisdiction outside the EU.
- Tax: Malta charges gaming tax of 15% (Type 1 games) or 10% (Types 2 to 4) on Malta-player revenue only; Curaçao levies no GGR gaming tax and taxes net profit at around 2%.
- Maturity: Malta's regime dates to 2018 and is settled; Curaçao only moved to direct statutory licensing under the LOK in 2024 and is still transitioning.
Malta suits operators that need EU market credibility, banking and payment access, and a durable 10-year licence, and can carry the compliance and cost of a tier-1 EU regulator.
Full Malta profile →Curaçao suits operators prioritising low cost, a single licence across multiple verticals, and speed, while accepting the banking and reputational friction of an offshore licence during its transition.
Full Curaçao profile →Common questions
How is online gambling taxed in Malta compared with Curaçao?
Malta: 15% casino/RNG and 10% other game types; Type 1 versus Types 2-4, from 1 October 2026, previously a flat 5% (base: Gaming revenue (GGR) from Malta-based players only). Curaçao: ~2% effective corporate income tax; 0% gaming tax on GGR (base: Net profit (corporate income tax)).
Who regulates online gambling in Malta and Curaçao?
Malta is regulated by Malta Gaming Authority (MGA); Curaçao by Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA).
Which has the longer licence term, Malta or Curaçao?
Malta: 10 years. Curaçao: Up to 5 years (transitional/provisional licences shorter).
More head-to-heads
Sources (24)
Figures drawn from the Malta and Curaçao profiles · verified 2026-08-07 · Recent · 64%
Not legal or tax advice. This is a neutral teaching comparison; confirm every figure against the primary regulator (Malta Gaming Authority; Curaçao Gaming Authority) before relying on it. 18+.