Malta's elite casino scene: A 2025 guide to the Mediterranean's premier gaming hotspot

Malta offers a unique blend of historic elegance and world-class gaming, where iconic casinos like Dragonara, Portomaso, and Casino Malta deliver secure, MGA-regulated experiences alongside luxury, poker tournaments, and vibrant entertainment

Malta has a rich casino history since it incorporates 7,000 years of history and its character as a global iGaming center. This provides a wide range of experiences, including the sophisticated 19th-century palaces and poker tournaments. The island is a brand of trust, and this has been well maintained by Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), which is among the most reputable globally. The high standards of the MGA that have licensed thousands of online gambling providers worldwide are implemented in the same manner as the land-based casinos in Malta to have a fair, transparent, and secure atmosphere for all visitors. This ensures safe, world-class gaming.

1. Dragonara Casino: The Historic Palace

Have a taste of the Dragonara Casino, the most well-known casino in Malta, which is housed in an amazing neoclassical palace dating back to the 19th century. It is a spectacular structure, which in 1870 was a seaside house of a marquis and is today located on its own peninsula with spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea. Being the first casino in Malta (since 1964), it has been the first to make the island a luxury holiday spot. The historic elegance is in stark contrast with a modern gaming floor with 300+ slots and live tables. Perfect for a history lover, this one is a rare complex, to be shared by Westin Dragonara Resort, which mingles splendid architecture with fine and elegant cuisine and gambling of world-class caliber to have a memorable Maltese experience.

2. Portomaso Casino: The Poker Professional's Mecca

Explore Portomaso Casino, the ultimate place to be found in Malta by serious poker players and those who appreciate modern luxury. This casino was inaugurated in 2006 in the Portomaso Business Tower and has established a reputation as the best casino on the island to visit by discerning gamers. It also has the biggest poker room in Malta and the only room that provides cash games throughout the week. Its atmosphere is glam and classy, and the location, next to the 5-star Hilton Malta, has helped to contribute to the atmosphere. Portomaso is globally recognised as the place of major tournaments, including the 2025 Malta Poker Festival (MPF) and The Festival in Malta, and thus it is an obligatory place when an expensive game is required.

3. Casino Malta by Olympic Casino: The "Vegas-Style" Entertainment Hub

Enjoy the Vegas-style entertainment epicenter in Casino Malta by Olympic Casino. This is the most high-energy social gaming area on the island with the largest casino (3,000sq.m), which brings high energy to the gamers. It has 300+ slots, 29 gaming tables, live concerts, and the largest bar on the island. It is also a top poker venue, with giant 2025 events such as the European Poker Tour (EPT), as well as the giant EUR 2,000,000 GTD 10th anniversary Battle of Malta, fully integrated with the 5-star InterContinental Malta.

4. The Oracle Casino: The Resort-Goer's Gamble

The Oracle Casino in the serene St. Paul's Bay is a seaside gambling option that provides a more relaxed gaming experience, which is mainly meant to be of use to the DoubleTree by Hilton resort. It has a relaxed environment featuring game tables, slot machines, and low-stakes day-to-day poker. Nevertheless, tourists ought to be wary, as per the latest visitor reviews, there has been a tendency towards complaining about technical problems with slot machines, as well as unresponsive management. Although it is a convenient facility for the hotel guests, its potential to frustrate them renders it a less popular destination for guests staying in other hotels.