Land-Based Casinos in Malta
Malta may be best known as a home for online casinos, but the island also has a lively casino scene of its own. There are four licensed land-based casinos, all regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority, and each one has a very different character and setting. This guide covers where they are, what you can play, how to get there and what to know before your first visit.
Malta has four casinos: Dragonara, Casino Malta and Portomaso in St Julian’s, and the Oracle in Bugibba. Visitors can enter from 18, Maltese citizens from the age of 25, and everyone needs a passport or ID card at the door. Entry is free.
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Malta’s Casinos at a Glance
| Casino | Area | Operator | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dragonara Casino | St Julian’s | Dragonara Gaming | History and sea views |
| Casino Malta | St Julian’s | Olympic Entertainment Group | The biggest choice of games |
| Portomaso Casino | St Julian’s | Tumas Gaming | Poker festivals |
| Oracle Casino | Bugibba | Tumas Gaming | Low stakes and a relaxed night |
Explore Each Casino
- St Julian’sDragonara CasinoSet in a listed palace on Dragonara Point, with hundreds of slots and live tables.Read the Guide
- St Julian’sCasino MaltaMalta’s biggest casino, run by Olympic Entertainment Group since 2015.Read the Guide
- St Julian’sPortomaso CasinoA poker favourite in the Portomaso complex, next to the Hilton.Read the Guide
- St Paul’s BayOracle CasinoA seaside casino inside the Dolmen Resort Hotel in Bugibba.Read the Guide
Which Casino Is Right for You?
All four casinos share the same entry rules, but the experience is very different from one door to the next. Pick the one that matches your kind of night out.
- First Visit to MaltaDragonara CasinoA 19th century palace on the water, the oldest casino on the island and the one most visitors remember.
- Most Games Under One RoofCasino MaltaThe largest gaming floor, VIP tables, a poker area and an in-house sportsbook in the middle of St Julian’s.
- Poker PlayersPortomaso CasinoDaily tournaments, cash games and international festivals in a poker room refurbished in 2026.
- Low Stakes and Quiet NightsOracle CasinoSlots from one cent and a calmer crowd inside a seaside resort hotel in the north.
Entry Rules and What to Bring
The same basic rules apply at every casino in Malta, because they all operate under concessions from the government and licences from the MGA. There is no entry fee, but you will be registered on your first visit.
- Visitors must be at least 18 years old to enter.
- Maltese citizens must be at least 25 years old.
- Bring a valid passport or national ID card. A photo of it on your phone is usually not enough.
- Smart casual dress is expected, especially in the evening. Sportswear, beachwear and flip flops can get you turned away.
- Bring cash or a bank card to buy chips at the tables or the cashier.
Opening hours, dress codes and promotions can change, so check with the casino directly before you visit.
Opening Hours
Malta’s casinos are built for late nights. Dragonara and Casino Malta have long advertised round the clock opening, so you can walk in at almost any hour, while table games and the poker room may start later in the day. Portomaso and the Oracle also stay open well into the early morning.
The busiest times are Friday and Saturday nights and the weeks of big poker festivals. If you prefer a quieter table and lower minimum bets, a weekday afternoon or early evening is the best time to go.
Getting There
Three of the four casinos are in St Julian’s, Malta’s busiest nightlife area, within walking distance of each other and of most hotels in Paceville and Spinola Bay. You could visit all three in one evening on foot.
| From | To St Julian’s | To Bugibba |
|---|---|---|
| Valletta | About 20 minutes by car or taxi, more by bus | About 30 minutes by car or taxi |
| Malta International Airport | About 25 minutes by car or taxi | About 35 minutes by car or taxi |
| Sliema | About 10 minutes, or a pleasant seafront walk | About 25 minutes by car or taxi |
Public buses run to both St Julian’s and Bugibba from Valletta and the airport, and night routes run at weekends. Ride hailing apps such as Bolt and eCabs work across the island and are the easiest option after a late session. Parking in St Julian’s is limited in the evening, so leave the car at your hotel if you can, although Portomaso has its own car park.
What You Can Play
All four casinos offer a mix of slot machines and live table games. Expect roulette, blackjack and poker based games such as Texas Hold’em, while the larger venues add baccarat style games, VIP areas and regular poker tournaments.
| Game | Where to Play It |
|---|---|
| Slot machines | All four casinos, with the largest choice at Casino Malta and Dragonara |
| Roulette | All four, including automated roulette terminals with low minimum bets |
| Blackjack | All four, with several table limits |
| Punto banco (baccarat) | Casino Malta and Portomaso |
| Ultimate Texas Hold’em | Casino Malta and Portomaso |
| Poker tournaments and cash games | Portomaso and Casino Malta in particular, plus Dragonara and the Oracle |
| Sports betting | Casino Malta |
Casino Malta and Portomaso in particular host international poker festivals that draw players from across Europe. If you plan a trip around a tournament, check the festival calendar early, because the popular events fill up quickly.
Casino Etiquette for First Timers
A Maltese casino is relaxed compared with Monte Carlo, but a few house rules will make your first visit smoother. Dealers and floor staff are used to tourists, so do not be shy about asking how a table works.
- Buy chips at the table by placing cash on the felt, not in the dealer’s hand.
- Check the minimum and maximum bet on the sign at each table before you sit down.
- Keep phones away from the tables. Photos of the gaming floor are usually not allowed.
- Tipping the dealer after a good win is common but never required.
- Cash out your chips at the cashier before you leave, as chips cannot be used at another casino.
Gaming Parlours in Malta
Beyond the four casinos, you will see small gaming parlours in towns all over Malta. They are not casinos: there are no live dealers or table games, only a handful of slot machines and, in some, sports betting terminals.
| Feature | Casino | Gaming Parlour |
|---|---|---|
| Number in Malta | Four | Many, spread across the islands |
| Games | Slots, live tables and poker | A small number of slot machines |
| Size | Large gaming floors with hundreds of machines | No more than ten gaming devices per venue |
| Entry age | 18, or 25 for Maltese citizens | 18 |
| Licence | Government concession and MGA licence | MGA approval for the gaming premises |
Parlours are licensed by the MGA and must keep a minimum distance from schools, places of worship and other gaming venues. They also have to register players at the door and offer self exclusion to anyone who asks for it.
Land-Based or Online Casinos?
A night out at a real casino offers atmosphere, live dealers and the buzz of a busy floor. Online casinos win on convenience, game choice and bonuses, and many players in Malta enjoy both. Here is how they compare.
| Feature | Land-Based Casino | Online Casino |
|---|---|---|
| Games | Hundreds of slots and a few dozen tables | Thousands of slots plus live dealer tables |
| Minimum bets | Higher at live tables, especially at night | From a few cents on most games |
| Bonuses | Occasional promotions for registered guests | Welcome packages, free spins and cashback |
| Opening hours | Late nights, travel needed | 24/7 from your phone |
| Atmosphere | Real tables, drinks and a night out | Live dealer studios, played from home |
| Regulation | Government concession and MGA licence | MGA licence for sites serving Malta |
If you would rather play from home, stick to MGA licensed sites. Our ranking of the best online casinos in Malta lists the operators we have reviewed, and our guide on whether online gambling is legal in Malta explains how to check a licence yourself.
Playing Responsibly
Set a budget before you go and leave your cards at the hotel if you tend to chase losses. Malta’s casinos can exclude you on request, and the national helpline 1777 offers free and confidential support. Our responsible gambling guide lists the tools and organisations that can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Casinos Are There in Malta?
Malta has four licensed land-based casinos: Dragonara Casino, Casino Malta and Portomaso Casino in St Julian’s, and Oracle Casino in Bugibba.
What Is the Minimum Age to Enter a Casino in Malta?
Visitors can enter from 18, while Maltese citizens must be 25 or older. You will need to show a valid passport or ID card.
Do You Have to Pay to Enter a Casino in Malta?
No. Entry to all four casinos is free, but you must register with your ID on your first visit.
Can Tourists Play at Casinos in Malta?
Yes. Foreign visitors aged 18 and over are welcome at all four casinos and only need a valid passport or national ID card.
Which Is the Oldest Casino in Malta?
Dragonara Casino, which opened on 15 July 1964 inside the Dragonara Palace in St Julian’s.
Which Is the Biggest Casino in Malta?
Casino Malta in St Julian’s, run by Olympic Entertainment Group, has the largest gaming floor on the island.
What Is a Gaming Parlour in Malta?
A small licensed venue with a limited number of slot machines and no live table games. Parlours are found in towns across Malta and are open to players aged 18 and over.
Is There a Casino in Gozo?
No. Plans for a casino on Gozo have been discussed for years, but no casino has opened there, so the nearest options are in St Julian’s and Bugibba.
Are Casino Winnings Taxed in Malta?
Casual winnings are generally not taxed. Read our guide to tax on gambling winnings in Malta for the details.
Sources
- Malta Gaming Authority, land-based casino licensing
- VisitMalta, official tourism guide
- Malta Public Transport, bus routes and night services
- Official websites and published information of Dragonara Casino, Casino Malta, Portomaso Casino and Oracle Casino