Malta has always been a popular destination for players, keen on taking part in various tournaments or just willing to try their luck in the games, available at the land based casinos.
Although Maltese authorities were well aware of the fact that the gambling sector has the potential to turn into a source of a stable annual revenue, they tended to postpone implementing the changes necessary. However, it seems like they have realized that the sooner they make the amendments needed, the better the results for the economy will be.
A day ago Manuel Camilleri announced that Chris Cardona, the Minister of Economy, has made attempts towards solving the issue, concerning the bids, related to the concession of a new casino. According to the information released, the license will most probably be given to Eden Leisure Group.
Manuel Camilleri informed the court that Cardona has taken the matters wholeheartedly and made efforts towards ordering the dissolution of the committee, responsible for bids, concerning the deal about the new casino.
Camilleri also added that the previous Parliamentary Secretary was really worried about the outcome of the dissolution proposed as he predicted that it may result in disagreements between the members of the committee.
Although the members officially declared that there is no conflict of interest, their proposal was not taken into consideration and Cardona suspended the committee anyway.
Camilleri gave further information to the media and said that while reviewing the proposals, regulators settled down around the decision that the proposal, made by Eden Leisure Group, is indisputably the most sensible one that would bring plenty of benefits to the country and immensely boost its economy.
However, like any other attempt for making a change, the proposal had its opponents. Henri Mizzi, Dragonara’s attorney, said that the idea for building a casino and hoping for an improvement, is not quite well thought out. The fact itself that a new casino license will be issued because of predictions that it would be beneficial to country’s well-being was considered by Mizzi to be somehow ridiculous and reckless decision.
According to the Maltese regulators, an establishment of another casino, managed by a trustworthy company, would increase the annual revenue.
Mizzi did not miss to put an emphasis on a letter, sent by the privatization unit with the aim of supporting his standpoint. Understandably, he raised the question about the criteria, which need to be met by the company that will be given a license.
He went even further and said that the requirements were not 13 but 14 as the privatization unit obviously takes the business plans projections into account as well.
However, his most powerful argument was that the establishment of a new casino would not be beneficial to the local communities and questioned the integrity of the procedures for sorting out the suitable companies from the unsuitable ones. He also asked if it would be appropriate to require a suspension of the process.
Peter Grech, an Attorney General, said that a suspension of the approval procedure is not an easy thing to do as it needs to be supported by reliable arguments. He disagreed with Mizzi’s claims and said that his pretensions were inconsistent.
Greech also added that the license will be issued by the government authorities and they will, respectively, be responsible for the actions of the company awarded. Plus, he said that the Parliament members were absolutely aware of all advantages and disadvantages their decision may cause.
Judge Joseph Micallef will have the final say and his decision will determine the further development of the licensing procedures.
