Poker in Malta: A Mediterranean Gambling Paradise

The Live Poker Scene in Malta

Malta’s poker hubs are concentrated in the bustling St. Julian’s area, home to some of Europe’s most lively casinos. Expect a mix of locals, European pros, and tourists, with games running daily. Buy-ins start low (from €25 for tournaments), making it accessible for all levels.

Key spots include:

• Portomaso Casino (St. Julian’s): Dubbed the “House of Poker,” this upscale venue offers daily tournaments with guaranteed prize pools (GTDs) starting at €5,000, cash games from €1/€2 blinds, and international series. It’s luxurious, with Mediterranean dining options and a focus on No-Limit Hold’em.
• Dragonara Casino (St. Julian’s): Malta’s oldest casino (est. 1964), featuring a dedicated poker room with regular tourneys, video poker, and table games. It’s tourist-friendly and hosts freeroll events for newcomers.
• Casino Malta (St. Julian’s): Primarily known for big festivals, it has sporadic cash games but shines during events. Open 24/7 with a 4.1 rating from thousands of reviews. Cash games typically run evenings, with stakes up to €5/€10. The vibe is social—think post-game beach bars and kebabs at 3 AM.

Major Tournaments and Festivals

Apart from the actual casinos, Malta hosts world-class events that draw in thousands of players, often playing for €500K+ GTDs. These are mid-stakes havens for value hunters, with side events for every bankroll.

One of the best in my opinion is the Battle of Malta (BoM), a tournament with a huge guarantee and a mix of touring professionals and recreational players. The man who’s instrumental to this tourney is Francesco Legnaro and his team at Italiaplay site. They manage to attract a large number of recreational players from all over Italy and bring them to this beautiful island for some poker and a good time.

And the Online Poker Scene Too

As an MGA hub, Malta is a tax haven for pros, as there’s no tax on foreign winnings for residents. As a result, some of the top sites for Maltese players include:

• PokerStars: MGA-licensed; huge MTTs, €1M+ weekly guarantees. One of the great online sites that started in Canada in September of 2001 and continues to attract thousands of players every day.

• GGPoker: B2B MGA license; 100% up to $600 welcome bonus; soft fields. GGPoker, the world’s largest online poker network by traffic, was founded in 2014 with a focus on innovation and player engagement.
• Others: partypoker, 888poker, all legal and geo-unrestricted.

My Time Playing Poker in Malta

The day that I arrived, I hopped in and out of my hotel and then went straight to Portomaso Casino located in St Julian’s. Once you check in at the casino reception, bring your ID, and you’ll get your player card. The casino floor will guide you to the poker room or to whatever part of the place you’re looking to get to first.

As for me, I went straight to the poker room where there were two cash games going at the time, both of them 1-3 No Limit Hold’em. As I mentioned, the tables here are a mix of one or two local regulars and six visitors from the continent that enjoy the island’s beauty just as much as a great game of poker at night.

As you’d expect, these types of games play loose with lots of multiplayer pots and quite a few all-ins. In one hand, I got dealt the A K of hearts and was going to make a normal bring-in of 5 big blinds, but with two players all in by the time the action was on me, I just pushed and prayed I was not against a big pair like AA or KK. To my relief, I was against an off-suit AQ and a pair of tens. A king on the flop, and I am in great shape for a decent pot and a nice winning first session of poker in Malta.

Malta and Poker: My Verdict

Living here? If you were to ask me, it’s ideal for grinders. There’s a low cost of living, it’s an English-speaking nation with a fast internet connection, and it’s still really close to most of the other countries in Europe. However, before you actually think of uprooting your life, here are a couple of basic things to know:

• Visa/Access: EU citizens have free entry; others need a Schengen visa. Age 18+.
• Getting Around: Taxis or the Bolt app; venues are walkable in St. Julian’s.
• Responsible Gaming: Use MGA tools; set limits. Malta emphasizes harm prevention.

Even if you decide to just come for a visit, there are plenty of things to do and places to explore on this beautiful island. Here are a few of my closing recommendations: wander the beautiful La Valetta baroque streets, visit Mdina, also known as the silent city, relax at the Blue Lagoon on Comino, and please indulge in Maltese cuisine. That’s all for now!

Good luck at the tables, Maltese and all others!