Labour equal opportunities officer appointed to gaming board

Mario Galea, the former chief executive of the Lotteries and Gaming Authority, who had introduced Malta's remote gaming rules and established the island as the largest online gaming jurisdiction in the world, has been appointed chairman of the regulator.

Galea is currently the chief executive of his own gaming consultancy firm, Random Consulting. He replaces chairman Nick Xuereb, who chaired the regulator at the same time that he was employed as chief financial officer of national airline Air Malta.

Also appointed to the post of deputy chairperson is Labour candidate Chris Cilia, and lawyer Rachel Tua (pictured) who is equal opportunities officer at the Labour Party as well as a local councillor in Mosta and a Labour candidate. Tua began her career as a junior lawyer in gaming consultancy firms.

The two other members appointed to the board are Ruth Trapani Galea and Caesar Grech.

Mario Galea was the first CEO of the Lotteries and Gaming Authority between 2004 and 2008. "The new government is committed to the strengthen and grow the online gaming industry, both strategically and organically," parliamentary secretary Edward Zammit Lewis said.

Mario Galea has 18 years' experience in gaming and today works as a consultant with his own firm in the United States. "I am delighted to be returning to the LGA and looking forward to work with the staff to keep Malta as a centre of excellence for gaming policy," Galea said.