After closing its amusement centres through fears of gambling, Malta's government has now published proposed regulations which it has submitted to the EC.
The regulations are amendments and additions to the Lotteries and Other Games Act and provide for two classes of licences. One will cover the manufacture of amusement machines, their sale and distribution and their operation. The second class will cover the locations where the machines will operate.
The regulation, which has been published only in limited form, also insists that each machine should carry its name, the cost of credit, rules of play, a warning against excessive play and the maximum price of play (not to exceed €2).
Bill acceptors or card acceptors are banned although tokens approved by the authorities may be permitted. Controversially, it is proposed to ban ticket redemption. The regulation states: “Amusement machines shall not give out, print or otherwise produce any real or fictitious currency or any bills, tokens, vouchers or any other ticket whatsoever.”
Elsewhere in the document, the authorities state that it is proposing regulations which will create a ‘clear, distinct, transparent, comprehensive and coherent regulatory approach to all forms of gaming services.’
It justifies the regulation as a necessary review of the existing laws on amusement machines because technological advancements have occasionally changed them into ‘forms of gambling’ and therefore puts at risk vulnerable people. The government said that ‘it is necessary to ensure that the distinction between amusement machines and gaming devices does not become increasingly blurred.’
The regulation concerning amusement machines - of which the most contentious part is the proposal to ban ticket redemption - is the first of two measures to be introduced by Malta. The other will cover machines which pay out, as VLTs or AWPs, and is expected shortly. Those provisions will be separated from the island\‘s four casinos, which are not going to be affected by the regulations.
