Victor Borg non-committal, but Ta’ Cenc is ‘safest bet’ for Gozo casino

The Labour government's recently announced casino licence for Gozo may have already been earmarked for the five-star Ta' Cenc hotel, MaltaToday has been informed.

Contacted by MaltaToday, hotel owner Victor Borg welcomed Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's announcement that the government would like to see a casino in Gozo, while remaining noncommittal regarding his own interest in the project.

Asked whether he would be interested in taking up such a project, Borg was cautious, saying that the government's proposal was as yet too sketchy for him to commit himself one way or another.

"I wouldn't know as yet. I don't know the situation," said Borg.

He however welcomed the idea in principle. "I would welcome having a casino in Gozo, given that there is one in Malta. As a Gozitan, I welcome every investment that tales place in Gozo."

Borg did not exclude that he would put his name forward in an expression of interest for the project. "But it is too early to tell," he said.

The market for casinos in Malta already appears saturated, with four licences issued for the operation of the Dragonara Casino to Pinnacle Gaming; the Oracle and Portomaso casinos operated by Tomino Ltd; the Casinò di Venezia operated by Vittoriosa Gaming; and Midi plc's licence, which so far has not materialised in a casino located at Lazaretto wharf, at Manoel Island.

The announcement that the government intends to issue a new casino licence in Malta's sister island was made by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in parliament on Monday.

It came as part of several Gozo-related announcements aimed at rebutting Opposition leader Lawrence Gonzi's accusation that Gozo was to become the Cinderella of the Maltese economy.

Among these announcements was the development of a yacht marina and cruise liner terminal, and a new casino. The proposals are expected to be met with considerable interest from Gozitan tourist operators who have been clamouring for better access to the island and more investment in infrastructure.

The announcement of a fifth casino license in the Maltese islands is expected to leave existing present casino operators unimpressed. While it is true that a new casino operation could tap into a currently untapped Gozitan market, it remains yet to be seen whether such an operation would be financially viable, given that existing casinos are already struggling to remain profitable.