Government reiterates commitment to strengthen gaming industry

The government intends to continue strengthening the gaming industry and Malta's reputation based on a strong regulatory system, the Parliamentary Secretary for economic growth Edward Zammit Lewis said.

This morning Zammit Lewis opened the Malta Remote Gaming Council presentation of the Economic Report for the gaming industry for 2011-2012 during a business breakfast organized by the same council. 

He explained that MGRC has been working and actively contributing to the industry since 2005; in effect it is one of the important pillars which has allowed Malta to become the largest Gaming jurisdiction in the European Union. 

The MRGC has worked with the LGA and stakeholders on a number of serious matters in the past 8 years and has also organized courses for its members on responsible gaming and many other valid contributions towards the Maltese Gaming Industry contributions which have also helped to strengthening our reputation. 

Zammit Lewis explained that the aim of the Government is to give great importance towards innovation so that the Maltese jurisdiction is strengthened in phase with industrial and technological advances by also finding and creating new gaming niche industries. 

The parliamentary secretary hailed MRGC for commissioning a report on the economic contribution of the remote gaming industry. 

"Positive initiatives as these are fully welcomed by the Government, so that together with stakeholders and the LGA we can look into more detail at this industry and its benefits to Malta, also triggering possible actions which we can work on.  The stakeholders are the most important players in the industry and have to be involved in important decisions that affect the industry." Zammit Lewis said.

The Government is working on new regulations to regulate casinos on Cruise Liners, such initiative which unfortunately was halted by the previous administration.  

Work is also being carried out on the final changes in the regulations of Digital Games, such regulations to be launched in the coming months. At the same time a new study on factors such as social casino games and social gaming will initiate this summer to help us determine whether we should develop an international framework for this new market.

Together with all stakeholders, the Government is ready to work on marketing and promotion campaigns to promote the Maltese jurisdiction, allowing Malta to attract more reputable gaming operators to invest in our country. 

"The Maltese Government is committed to continue giving this industry its full backing at National and EU levels.  Initiatives like this breakfast meeting is a true example where by stakeholders use their knowledge and experience for the benefit of the industry in general", Zammit Lewis added.