Remote gambling licence under Gibraltar's Gambling Act 2025
Gibraltar Gaming Licence
Gibraltar licenses a selective group of well-capitalised operators under its Gambling Act 2025, for a 0.15% duty on gross gaming profit and a strong reputation with banks and partners. It has traditionally favoured established groups, though it will look at properly funded start-ups. Vantegris tells you honestly whether you'll qualify, and runs the file if you do.
What is the Gibraltar gaming licence?
Since 1 April 2026 a Gibraltar licence is issued under the Gambling Act 2025, which repealed the Gambling Act 2005. The Licensing Authority, which is the Minister with responsibility for gambling, decides applications, and the Gambling Commissioner supervises licence holders day to day. Staff of the Gambling Division do the work for both. Operators licensed under the 2005 Act are treated as licensed under the new Act, so existing licence holders did not have to reapply.
The Act sets threshold conditions every licence holder must meet, including a registered office in Gibraltar, appropriate financial and non-financial resources, fitness and propriety, a suitable business model and effective internal controls. The Authority must also be satisfied that you have a sufficient substantive presence in Gibraltar, judged on the gambling equipment kept there, the jobs created and the tax the business pays. The Gambling Division says Gibraltar has traditionally licensed established groups with a track record elsewhere, and will also consider appropriately funded start-ups and operators relocating from other jurisdictions. In return you pay a 0.15% duty on gross gaming profit, with the first £100,000 exempt.
Why operators pick Gibraltar
One of the most respected licences in gaming, with good standing with tier-1 banks and partners.
0.15% of gross gaming profit, with the first £100,000 exempt. Bonuses and free spins cannot be deducted; chargebacks can.
Because Gibraltar licenses selectively, holding one tells partners you passed a demanding review.
A mature hub of gaming operators, suppliers, banks and advisers in one jurisdiction.
The Gambling Act 2025 came into operation on 1 April 2026, with transitional cover for licences issued under the 2005 Act.
Gibraltar vs. Malta
| Criteria | Gibraltar | Malta (MGA) |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming tax/duty | 0.15% of gross gaming profit, first £100k exempt | 15%/10% on MT players from 1 Oct 2026; 5% before |
| Selectivity | High; funded start-ups considered | High, but open to new entrants |
| Local substance | Required | Required |
| Timeline | 3–6 months | 4–6 months |
| Licence term | No fixed term in the Act; annual fee | 10 years |
| Reputation | Highly regarded | Tier-1 |
| Best suited to | Large, established operators | Serious brands incl. new entrants |
Who the Gibraltar gaming licence suits
Gibraltar gaming licence requirements
How to get a Gibraltar gaming licence
- Qualification review We assess whether the Licensing Authority is likely to consider you before you spend a penny. Days
- Company & substance Incorporate in Gibraltar, establish the office and local presence. 3–5 weeks
- Application & due diligence Submit to the Licensing Authority with the £30,000 B2C application fee; the Gambling Division runs due diligence on owners and controllers. 2–4 months
- Licence & launch On approval the licence issues and operations begin under ongoing supervision. Variable
Not sure Gibraltar is the right fit?
Tell us your product and target markets — we'll confirm whether Gibraltar or another jurisdiction gets you live fastest, at the lowest all-in cost.
How much does a Gibraltar gaming licence cost?
- Qualification review
- Structuring and readiness plan
- Regulator engagement strategy
- Go / no-go recommendation
- Everything in Assessment
- Gibraltar incorporation & office
- Full application package
- AML/KYC & compliance build
- Everything in Turnkey
- Tier-1 banking & PSP introductions
- Corporate accounts
- Ongoing compliance support
Figures are from the Gambling (Duties and Licence Fees) Regulations 2026. Annual fees apply per licence, so an operator holding both betting and gaming licences pays both. A licence granted mid-year pays from the start of that calendar quarter; the licensing year runs 1 April to 31 March. Duty is 0.15% of gross gaming profit, paid quarterly, with the first £100,000 exempt. Add company setup, office, substance and compliance. We model it against your yield before you apply.
Compliance obligations in Gibraltar
Technical & IT standards in Gibraltar
After you go live in Gibraltar
Which markets a Gibraltar licence reaches
Gibraltar carries strong European standing, but you still respect each market's rules and geo-block those you are not authorised in, plus sanctioned and FATF-listed territories. Its value lies in reputation and tax efficiency at scale.
Operators must use GEO-IP blocking for restricted countries and any FATF-blacklisted nation. Non-compliance can lead to licence suspension or revocation.
Gibraltar gaming licence FAQ
How much does a Gibraltar gambling licence cost?
A B2C betting or gaming licence carries a £30,000 application fee. The annual licence fee depends on annual gross yield: £50,000 under £20 million, £100,000 from £20 million to £300 million and £200,000 above that, per licence. Duty is 0.15% of gross gaming profit with the first £100,000 exempt. All of these come from the Gambling (Duties and Licence Fees) Regulations 2026.
Can any operator get a Gibraltar licence?
No. Every licence holder has to meet the Act's threshold conditions on resources, suitability, business model and controls, and show a sufficient substantive presence in Gibraltar. The Gambling Division says it has traditionally licensed established groups and will also consider appropriately funded start-ups and relocating operators. We'll tell you whether you're likely to qualify.
What tax will I pay in Gibraltar?
General gaming duty is 0.15% of gross gaming profit, and general betting duty is 0.15% of gross betting profit, each with the first £100,000 exempt. Bonuses, free bets and free spins cannot be deducted; chargebacks can. Duty is paid in quarterly instalments. The 2026 Regulations set no annual cap.
How long does the process take?
In our experience 3–6 months, covering incorporation and substance, a detailed application and due diligence on owners and controllers. The Gambling Act 2025 fixes no licence term: the annual fee falls due every 1 April and the renewal form is due by 15 March.
What changed under the Gambling Act 2025?
The Act came into operation on 1 April 2026 and repealed the 2005 Act. Existing licence holders are treated as licensed under the new Act. It also brought new activities into licensing, including marketing services provided in or from Gibraltar, B2B supply to Gibraltar licence holders and holding customer funds; businesses newly in scope had six months from 1 April 2026 to apply, and a complete application filed in that window keeps their transitional cover until it is decided.
Gibraltar or Malta?
Both are top-tier European credentials. Gibraltar has the lower duty and a more selective door. Malta is open to serious new entrants and offers a ten-year term. We'll recommend based on your scale, track record and banking needs.
Reviewed by the Vantegris licensing team. Last updated September 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time.
- Gibraltar Laws — Gambling Act 2025 (Act 2026-04)
- Gibraltar Laws — Notice of Commencement LN.2026/064 (in operation 1 April 2026)
- Gibraltar Laws — Gambling (Duties and Licence Fees) Regulations 2026 (LN.2026/065)
- Gambling Division — Gibraltar (licensing policy on established groups and funded start-ups)
- HM Revenue & Customs — Gambling duty changes (Remote Gaming Duty 40% from 1 April 2026)
- Gambling Division — Getting licensed (transition and grandfathering)
- Gambling Division — Duties and Licence Fees administrative guidelines (v2, June 2026)
Start your Gibraltar file.
Tell us your product and target markets and we will map the licence route. The consultation is free and confidential, and most enquiries get a reply within 24 hours.