Maltese spent €125 million on gambling in 2015

Over half Malta’s adult population engaged in some form of gambling in 2015, spending a staggering total of €125 million in the process.

The statistic emerges from the Malta Gaming Authority’s first ever survey into the consumption of gaming services by Maltese people.

It found that 56% of people gambled in some form or other three years ago, with the average weekly expenditure of €12.30, and that the national lottery is the most popular form of gambling, closely followed by expenditure on gaming parlours and outlets.

The cohorts most likely to engage in gambling are those aged 45 and over, having an education up to secondary level and not active in the labour market.

The study also found that between 2,000 and 4,000 Maltese gamblers report that the practice has had some type of adverse effect on their lifestyle. Yet the findings indicate that the problems associated with regular gambling are relatively contained, indicating that the more extensive and serious problems associated with gambling would be emanating primarily from illegal activities.

Parliamentary secretary for the digital economy Silvio Schembri said that the survey was necessary to understand the effect of gambling on the everyday lives of Maltese people.

MGA executive chairman Joseph Cuschieri said that the survey will help shareholders shape policies based on scientific data rather than on impressions or myths, and prompt a more informed debate about the economic and social effects of gambling in Malta.