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Focus REPORT: MALTA which put the whole thing on hold.


Then, finally, two years ago in the summer of 2009 the police organised a massive swoop and closed down all the gaming halls. This essentially shifted some 30 per cent of business back into the casinos which at the time complained heavily about the illegal operation of such gaming machines.


However, rather than ban the street gaming machine sector and force it underground, the LGA then took a good look at Malta’s prolific online gaming sector to help them draft new regulations for the gaming industry.


The remote gambling industry has existed since 2004 in Malta and is renowned across Europe as having one of the most regulated industries in Europe which has become the hallmark of the country’s success in this industry.


The gaming authority has since issued two new regulations for the land based sector which came into force over the last few months and will tighten up the gaming hall sector and introduce more control. With all this in place the Maltese industry could now expect to earn a additional €12m in taxes.


The Lotteries and Other Games Act (LOGA) was approved in December 2009 which saw two amendments:


1. The Amusement Machines Regulation 2011 came into force on March 15 2011 and covers only pure amusement machines (non-payout).


• Licenses are valid for one year but automatically renewable. All machines must be CE certified.


• Class 1 license is for the suppliers of amusement machines and applicants shall pay a one off application fee and annual license fee.


• Class 2 is for the operation of amusement machines and applicants shall pay a one off application fee and annual license fee.


opened up all over the island around this time. All that was needed was a ‘change of use’ permit to convert shops into gaming parlours. The shops operated VLTs without paying taxes or indeed obtaining any form of gaming license.


Traditionally amusement machines were operated in bars and clubs on a revenue- share basis. In 2005 the LGA began a public consultation process. But despite


the LGA’s power to issue a license with rigorous conditions the initial applications were never processed.


In 2007 the Lotteries and Gaming Authority began a roll out plan which began with the registration of machines against a €1,000 fee per machine and additional €250 fee per machine per month. But no processing of this actually happened due to elections at the time


The remote


gambling industry has existed since 2004 in Malta and


is renowned across Europe as having one of the most


regulated industries which has become the hallmark of the country’s success.


delivering the Dynamic bonusing at the point-of-play floor-wide experience


• Amusement machines cannot payout any prize, reward or benefits of a monetary value. No soft toys will be allowed and as such crane machines are not permitted.


• They cannot be located in a Class 3 or Class 4 gaming hall.


• Maximum price to play shall not be more than €2. ‘Other’ amusement machines (pool, kiddie rides etc) shall not be more than €1.


Your


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