Malta has always been at the forefront of gaming regulation, by managing to anticipate industry trends and assess whether novel products or services need to be regulated or otherwise. In 2005, Malta was the first EU country to also regulate gaming broadcasting studios (Live studios) within the context of a licensed gaming operation, with the MGA carrying out physical supervision of such studios. The newly introduced Gaming Act of 2018, also saw the MGA broaden its supervisory efforts on such live studio operations and a few years later issued specific requirements for the auditing of broadcasting studios.
By virtue of the publication of Legal Notice 84 of 2026, “Gaming Tax (Amendment) Regulations 2026, (Subsidiary Legislation 583.10)” issued under the Gaming Act (Chapter 583 of the Laws of Malta), Malta’s lawmaker is amending Malta’s gaming tax framework, and is also amending the gaming levy on broadcasting studios to its existing MGA Gaming license holders who also operate a live studio (also referred to a Gaming Broadcasting Studio).
This Studio Broadcasting Levy is of €3,000 per annum, paid in advance by the MGA licensee, (up from the existing €500 per annum), and will be effective as from 1st October 2026.
MGA licensees that wish to operate a broadcasting studio to film or broadcast games need to first set-up a studio up to MGA requirements that include, amongst others, that health and safety measures are met; security measures are in place, including access control; and that the studio is governed by detailed policies and procedures addressing information security, emergency protocols, business continuity, technical architecture, and more.
Should you wish to learn more as to how to set up a broadcasting studio in Malta, kindly contact our gaming advisory team at info@gtg.com.mt
Author: Mr Reuben Portanier