MGA Approves New Casino Operator Licence

The Malta Gaming Authority has granted a Class 1 remote gaming licence to Novus Gaming Ltd, a subsidiary of the Swedish-based Novus Entertainment Group, enabling the launch of its new online casino platform across multiple European markets. This approval, effective from November 25, 2025, marks the first major licensing decision for a Nordic-focused operator in Malta this quarter, bolstering the jurisdiction's position as a gateway for EU-compliant iGaming expansion. The development underscores Malta's streamlined regulatory processes, attracting operators seeking access to high-value markets such as Sweden and Germany without the need for local relicensing.

Key Takeaways

• Regulatory Milestone: The Class 1 licence covers casino games, peer-to-peer betting, and controlled skill games, with mandatory RNG certification and AML compliance under the MGA's Gaming Act (Cap. 583).
• Market Entry Boost: Novus Gaming targets €500 million in annual revenue within three years, leveraging Malta's 5% effective tax rate on gaming revenue to fund player protection initiatives.
• Player Safeguards: Integration of self-exclusion tools aligned with EU standards enhances trust, potentially increasing retention by 15% in regulated environments.

Novus Gaming Ltd's entry into the Maltese-licensed ecosystem arrives at a pivotal moment for the European online casino sector, where operators face intensifying scrutiny on responsible gambling and cross-border operations. Founded in 2022 as part of Novus Entertainment Group—a Stockholm-headquartered firm with €200 million in assets and prior investments in fintech—the operator brings a decade of experience from its parent's sports betting arm in Scandinavia. The approval follows a rigorous six-month application process, including financial audits and fit-and-proper assessments by the MGA's Supervisory Council, confirming Novus's compliance with the €2 million minimum capital requirement and robust data security protocols.

Under the Class 1 framework, Novus Gaming can now deploy its platform, offering over 1,500 titles from certified providers such as Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play, focusing on live dealer experiences tailored for mobile-first users in the 25-45 age demographic. The licence number, MGA/B2C/2025/1123, permits operations in 180+ countries where MGA recognition applies, though Novus has pledged initial rollout in Sweden (via Spelinspektionen whitelist) and the Netherlands (KSA-compliant targeting) by Q1 2026. This phased approach aligns with the MGA's emphasis on jurisdictional checks, helping avoid the fines seen in recent enforcement actions against non-compliant peers.

The broader market context reveals a competitive landscape dominated by incumbents such as Kindred and Betsson, which control 40% of the €30 billion in EU online casino gross gaming revenue. Malta's regulatory environment—renowned for its EU-harmonized standards since the 2018 Gaming Act overhaul—provides a competitive edge through low barriers to entry and mutual recognition agreements. For regulators, this licence reinforces Malta's role in fostering innovation while upholding player funds segregation and dispute resolution mechanisms, processing over 10,000 complaints annually with a 95% resolution rate.

Industry stakeholders stand to benefit from heightened competition, which will drive advancements in payment integrations and RG tools. Novus's partnership with Trustly for instant EU payouts addresses friction in emerging markets like Poland and Romania, where deposit limits have curbed growth. Players benefit from enhanced transparency, with mandatory affordability checks reducing vulnerability risks by 20%, according to MGA data. As Malta hosts over 300 iGaming firms, which contribute 12% to GDP, this approval signals sustained momentum, potentially spurring similar entries from Asian-backed ventures eyeing Latin American expansion via MGA passports.

For operators, the implications extend to cost efficiencies: Malta's 0.5% application fee and renewable three-year terms offer predictability amid volatile taxes elsewhere, like the UK's 21% point-of-consumption levy. Yet challenges persist, including the MGA's 2025 supervisory pivot toward AI-driven monitoring, which Novus must integrate to maintain compliance. Overall, this development fortifies Malta's ecosystem, promising diversified offerings and stronger safeguards that elevate standards across the global new-casino landscape.

Sources: Malta Gaming Authority, iGaming Business