In Malta last Friday local casino operators filed a judicial protest against the Gaming Authority and the Ministry of Finance calling for action against the illegal gaming establishments that are affecting their business. Now Finance Minister Tonio Fenech has warned the owners of gaming arcades that their investment may not pay dividends. Promised legislation to tighten gaming regulations was supposed to be in place by the end of 2008 but has been delayed by the October resignation of the Gaming Authority chief and the search for a replacement.

Mr Fenech has said that the Government is fast tracking regulations but has to be mindful of complex legal issues regarding international and local laws. At present there are difficulties in enforcing regulations because some arcades operate with permits from the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and other trading licences. However, the Finance Minister confirmed that when the new regulations are introduced any operations in breach of the conditions would be shut down.

The future gaming law is expected to set boundaries as to where gaming operations can be located and how far they must be from places such as schools. Mr Fenech told the Sunday Times yesterday, "All I can tell the investors, who have put their money in these places, is that just because you have opened does not mean you have any legitimate right to remain there.” He added, "Also, we want people to know that just because they have a Mepa permit, this will not entitle them to being licensed if they are in breach of the regulations we are issuing. Therefore, I am not giving guarantees to anyone in terms of who will be accepted to remain open in the future. If their places fall foul of the regulations we will close them." (E-02.02.09)

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