Business & Finance
Malta issues new gaming licenses
By MaltaMedia News
Sep 10, 2007 - 9:00:47 AM

Malta is becoming a popular choice amongst online gambling operators, as another two betting companies were granted licenses.  InterCasino and InterPoker’s new gaming licenses in Malta, is a clear sign of the island’s move to solidify its position in the online gambling industry, Online Bingo reported.

Online Bingo added that Malta has proved popular with online gambling operators, including online bingo hall operators, because it rests within the European Economic Area. Malta’s reduced tax rates cut to 2.5% makes it a popular choice as opposed to UK tax rate of 15% of gross profits.

"InterCasino and InterPoker chose to relocate their servers to Malta due to the country's progressive policy in online gaming regulation, and because of the operational advantages across Europe that an online gaming license within the EU affords," a company spokesman for the two latest licensees said.

"It has already been recognised by the United Kingdom that InterCasino and InterPoker's Maltese license places these companies on a white-list of compliant operators allowed to advertise within the UK."

Gaming companies in the United Kingdom have flocked to Malta ahead of the introduction of the UK Gambling Act 2005 on September 1. The UK’s new Gambling Act only allows bingo online from those jurisdictions that are on the white list.  Many online bingo providers from Antigua have been now restricted by the recently introduced Act.