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Minister promises Malta would not become one big casino30 September 2009MALTA -- As reported by The Times of Malta: "Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said yesterday the government did not want to see Malta being turned into one big casino. It would be amending various gaming laws to avoid "being caught in a grey area" during court proceedings and would introduce tougher enforcement measures. "Speaking during the first parliamentary sitting after the summer recess, Mr Fenech outlined various actions under the Lotteries and Other Games (Amendment) Bill. Licences would be issued for periods of 12 months, renewable only if there were no pending court proceedings against the owner at the time of renewal. "He said there were diverse opinions on what sort of gaming was to be tolerated in Malta. Gaming had always been present and tolerated in Maltese society, even though many, like him, continued to be against gaming. It was better to regulate than prohibit gaming activity. "Malta was the only EU country that had introduced regulations to remote gaming, a sector that provided 2,500 jobs. The government would be legislating so that everyone would act responsibly. This meant that gaming was open to adults who were conscious of what they were doing. The Bill aimed at protecting minors and other vulnerable people against compulsive gambling..." |