There is speculation in Malta that regulations are soon to be introduced providing for the licensing of professionally managed and equipped gaming arcades, pushing aside the smaller operations that have mushroomed all over the island.
It is rumoured that the regulations will stipulate a minimum size for such premises. This is seen by some in the industry as the government indirectly introducing a form of zoning.
Since the go-ahead was given for video lottery terminals in Malta last year, such devices have become a familiar sight all over the island, sometimes appearing in locations where they would not be expected. This has led to critical comments about them in the media. The new regulations would help to control the situation.
Maltese operator Ivan Camilleri told InterGame: "Following the Lotteries and Gaming Authority’s success in bringing in technology and regulations in the remote gaming industry, the understanding is that the country is close to seeing an industry that has for many years operated in a grey area develop into a state-of-the-art industry."
