PN demands answers over granting of casino license

The Nationalist Party has expressed concern following a court’s decision to stop the government from granting two new casino licenses to the Eden Leisure Group and Dragonara Gaming Limited.

The government’s Privatisation Unit identified Eden Leisure Group Limited as the preferred bidder for a casino license following a competitive process that started with a call for proposals on 31 July 2013. Dragonara Gaming Ltd. placed second. However, the government decided to negotiate with both companies with the aim of issuing a concession to both of them.

Economy Minister Chris Cardona last week said that, through this decision, “the government was sending out a clear message that it will continue working to strengthen the fast economic rhythm that Malta has caught”.  

However, Dragonara Gaming Ltd took the issue to court, objecting that Eden was also going to be awarded a casino license, arguing that their own financial offer was €3 million higher than Eden’s. The court, presided over by Justice Joseph Micallef, ordered an injunction over the granting of the casino licenses until the issue is settled in court.  

“We await a clear explanation from the government, particularly when one considers that the tendering process had been going on for a year and a half,” the PN said in a statement. “Everyone knows that the company that had the best offer didn’t get chosen.”

“We expect Chris Cardona to explain what happened and what didn’t happen in the process.”