The Mediterranean is famed for its climate. The hot, dry summers are a big part of why people flock to this part of the world, especially here to Malta. However, that doesn’t mean that we don’t have our very own wet and rainy days in the winter, where locals and tourists alike find themselves looking for ways to shelter from the elements.

Our islands may be some of the sunniest in Europe, but between November and February, it’s not entirely uncommon for there to be rain that can rival some of the wetter parts of the continent. It may not be quite as dreary as countries like the UK or the Netherlands, but these winter months certainly see more than the usual in downpours.

Given that this is a country that isn’t exactly well-versed in those rainy days, and the islands’ tourism and recreation industry is built on the shoulders of the enviable amount of sun, what do locals get up to on a washout day? It might come as a surprise, but the iGaming industry holds a special place in the hearts of the rained-in Maltese.

Malta Online Casinos a Fundamental Part of the Economy

If someone isn’t particularly aware of Malta or the way its economy is built, they might be surprised to learn that online casinos and sportsbooks form something of its backbone. Ever since the iGaming industry became an established part of the internet, the country has been at the forefront of it. When the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) was established in 2001, it began a long-term relationship.

As one of the early movers in the iGaming industry, the country has now become the industry gold standard. According to bestonlinecasinosmalta.com: online casinos in Malta guide, the MGA licence is highly sought after because it reflects that sites adhere to the highest standards of safety and fairness. This means that all the best online casinos in Malta are regulated to some of the strictest levels.

This has led to Malta being recognised as the place to be for online casinos and sportsbooks, which has meant that the industry generates billions of euros for the economy. It also means that there are a lot of people employed within the industry in Malta, which means that the Maltese people and those who call the islands their home quite often have a vested interest in iGaming.

Tourism That Includes iGaming Events on the Calendar

Another reason Malta online casinos are popular with local players when they’re kept indoors is the fact that the industry also generates a not-insignificant amount of tourism for the islands. Every year, the calendar is full of events like SiGMA and the SBC Summit, which are iGaming conferences for members of the industry to come together and discuss its future.

This means that there’s a real passion for online casinos in Malta. If even the tourists arriving on these shores are coming because of iGaming, it becomes ingrained in the culture and gives the locals even more of a reason to enjoy the reputable sites that are based in their homeland. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle in many respects.

According to data from The Malta Independent, tourism in 2024 saw just over €3 billion spent on the islands. SiGMA 2024 alone was reported to have contributed €100 million to the economy. That means that one event was worth more than 3% of the total tourism contribution for the entire year. You can imagine that the influx of people with an interest in the pastime to Malta would result in higher interest.

Variety and Quality the Biggest Drivers of Success

Ultimately, aside from the cultural and economic significance of the industry in Malta, the biggest reason locals are turning to iGaming in those wetter months like January is the variety and quality of games and sites on offer. The MGA licence is the best seal of quality that any operator can achieve in Europe or anywhere in the world, for that matter.

For those who want to enjoy the best online casinos Malta has to offer, knowing that they’re licensed and regulated by one of the best-respected authorities in the world is reassuring. It’s also a stamp of quality as far as the games are concerned. You aren’t likely to be Malta-approved if you’re not offering the very best.

As it is, it doesn’t look like the rainy-day pastimes of the Maltese are going to change anytime soon. The iGaming industry is in rude health, and those on the island are well aware of its quality. As it continues to grow with innovations like live dealer games, it’s only likely to get more popular, in fact.