Update 2: Police clampdown on gaming arcades

Joseph Tonna

Aug 8th 2009, 18:12

Kull cittadin Malti ghandu japprezza il-hidma sfiqa tal-pulizija u tas-suldati li specjalment f'dawn ix-xhur tas-sajf haqqa kull tifhir !
Prosit u grazzi lilhom.

A. Borg

Aug 8th 2009, 16:44

Mr. GiovDeMartino int tahseb li ha jinghalaq xi wiehed minnhom? Jien nghidlhek li le. Kull ma ha jigri huwa li is-sidien mhux se jkollhom izjed 100% profit imma se jkollhom jaqsmu mall-Gvern. Kieku l-intenzjoni tal-Gvern kienet li jinghalqu kien jibda mill-outlets tal-Maltco lotteries,mhux hekk? Dawn nifhem li huma hziena daqshom jekk mhux izjed imma ghadhom miftuha. Kien jaqta l-internet ta kullhadd biex ma jkunx hawn Internet betting u gambling.L-imma hija biss ghax dawn mhux licenzjati u l-Gvern mhu qed iddahhal xejn u insa li xi wiehed minnhom se jinghalaq!

GiovDeMartino

Aug 8th 2009, 11:39

Dear GONZIPN you have no chance of getting one right!!!!!!!!!Inhallu l-loghob hazin; naghlqu l-postijiet tal-loghob hazin; innaqqsu l-kacca hazin,, inhallu l-kacca hazin, inzidu l-pagi hazin, ma nziduhomx hazin, kemm kellna bzonn Mintoff jerga' jigi ta' tletin.

C.Busuttil

Aug 7th 2009, 16:33

@kevin vella
ma nafx certu nies kif jahsbu li dan il-pajjiz ghandu jkun modern, ikun modern billi ndahhlu l-postijiet tal-vizju? X'jimpurtani jekk barra minn Malta hemm certu hwienet daqs kemm jghixu hajja kuntenta barra Malta, kulhadd qisu ddispratt. Dik socjeta sabiha, vera moderna FREE FOR ALL. U bilhaqq tibqawx tghidu bl-Olanda, ghax illum f'dan il-pajjiz hemm gvern li beda jerga jipprova ddahhal daqxejn serjeta. Illum l-olandizi stess jghidulek li hemm bzonn jinbidlu l-affarijiet ghax il-pajjix ma lura.
Jien mohhi mhux maghluq u l-anqas jien tal-knisja imma ta' l-inqas ghandi mohh li jghidli li dak li huwa hazin jibqa hazin, anke jekk hawn minn taparsi jipprova ppingieh bhala modern. Mhux ahjar naraw kif insalvaw dan il-pajjiz mhux ahjar naraw kif ser nghinu dawn iz-zghazagh li jigru minn naha ghall-ohra minghajr sens ta' direzzjoni minghajr ma jafu x'jridu spiccaw ma jiehdu pjacir b'xejn ghax tilfu kull sens ta' valuri bazici.
Il-liberta ghanda prezz, il-liberta ma tfissirx taghmel li trid, il-liberta tfisser li tkun responsabli u dawk li ghandhom il-vizijiet tal-loghob, alcohol jew drogi ghandhom bzonn ta' ghajnuna imma jekk hemm bzonn anke ta' dixxiplina iebsa. Dawn in-nies ma jistawx jibqaw jigru mas-saqqajn u jaghmlu l-hsara fostom uliedhom stess.

d bugeja

Aug 7th 2009, 16:28

Il loghob fuq l idejn ghandhom bzonn jiehdu hsieb. dawn qeghdin jsiru sinjuri minghajr ma jhallsu taxxi u bolol.

A. Borg

Aug 7th 2009, 15:59

Jien inzertajt qed niehu flixkun birra xi l-11am go lukanda ewlenija gol-Qawra li kienet mimlija bit-turisti u tistghu tahsbu kif jien u turisti bqajna meta rajna pulizija bl-uniformi diehel f'din il-lukanda biex jiehu l-kaxxi tal-loghob! Kien hemm turisti li bdew jigbdu bil-mobile ghal din ix-xena.Imn'Alla li inzertaw li kienu mitfija u ma kien hemm hadd responsabli minnhom ghax il-farsa kienet tkun ikbar! Il-Manager tal-Lukanda qalli li vera ma jafux x'qed jaghmlu,dejjem jaraw kif se jgerrxu il-ftit turisti li baqaw jigu hawn. Jien ma naqbilx ma dawn il-gaming arcades imma go Lukanda u uzati l-izjed mit-turisti hija haga ohra.Ghandi hbieb tieghi taljani li jigu Malta ghalhekk biss.Ahna dik li ghadna f'Malta li jew nejja jew mahruqa!

lorry caruana

Aug 7th 2009, 13:05

ilistra xtahwid qlajtu. unemployed spiccaw hafna naf min al 15 il magna li kellu kin ihaddem 3 haddiema full time bil ktieb. kin juri kollox km dahhal. fdan listess hanut kin imur jilabom employer li bil fls li jirbah kin ihallas il-haadima tijew. jin ma immurx nilabom ax ma jogobnix dak ix xol u hadd ma refani min nrasi bix immur nilabom. kulhadd jamel id-decizjonijit tijew imma le aw malta kulhadd jikmanda u il-gvern pupazz tal knisja u ta min andu il-flus. jek il-gvern mux kapaci iqum fuq tijew u jikkmanda hu minajr indhil iwarab u jati il-poter lil min andu veru idejh sodi ok. mus billi qbiztu fuqi dan kollu rubbish li ma jistewx jinfethu. ok. mela sw jk niftah nursery tat tfal u ikun em nies joqodu magenb in nursey li jirepjaw it tfal nalaqa jw nihu ingal il-iigi tihu hsib dawk in nies???

Ger Mangia

Aug 7th 2009, 11:25

Welldone Gov't , Many Parents, are with you with this One,
Now it's ta fuq L- idejn's turn !! they are a ruin to all the society aswell if not More :)

Ray Gatt

Aug 7th 2009, 10:41

@J Vella,what has the Duluri day got to do with it? @Lorry Caruana-Individuals who do illegalities know they are breaking the law,so when the time comes for the authorities to clamp down on these bloodsuckers,the law breakers deserve evry bit of punishment they get. Nobody made them buy the machines and nobody gave them any go ahead as you imply. As for the unemployment problem you're mentioning,I can assure you that these places are run by single or two persons the most. So you can rest assured it won't affect unemployment at all. The recession is worldwide and not just here,but just in case you have any brights ideas as how to get out of the worldwide recession, I'm sure Dr.Gonzi and all the other world leaders would be more than willing to listen. It's a pity that even when there are positives,people like you try to find the slightest excuse to whip Dr. Gonzi with. @Simon Borg - explain better please.

Please note that only the illegal ones are being targetted. I have no problem critisizing the govt., but only when it's worth critisizing. I applaud positive decisions. Thank you Dr. Gonzi.

David Felici

Aug 6th 2009, 23:48

What a JOKE !! Police found most of these outlets ALREADY CLOSED !!! Is this how serious the local enforcement is in this country? Possibly the police cannot trace who TIPPED the owners about such action ?

d scicluna

Aug 6th 2009, 23:10

Xi hadd qal li qedin tajjeb f'dal pajjiz, imma vera! Mela ghax go wiehed min dawn il kummenti espremew l-opinjoni taghhom, iehor akkuzah li ghandu hanut tal loghob! @ jmicallef : jiena ghandi zewgt it tfal zghar u ma nohlomx li nohodom go hwienet bhal dawn imma jigi mil genituri li jaghlmu lil uliedom ma nahsibx li dik lomm tatu ezempju tajjeb. U dak il missier fl-opinjoni tieghi ma jixraqlux ikun missier,xtort ghandu sid il hanut li nesa it tifel warajh ?Il hajja mimlija ghazliet. Ghandek ghazla tpejjipx sa fejn naf jien baqghu ibbihuwom is sigaretti. Ghandek ghazla tidholx go xi stripties clubs dawn baqghu miftuhin ukoll, ghandek ghazla fuq il vizzjijiet kolla ta din id dinja u trid tkun taf taghzel! Hadd ma jaqbdek min xaghrek u jdahlek go hanut tal loghob tidhol ghax trid. Hawn min jonfoq eluf ta euros fuq lottu u super5 dawn mux qed jirrovinaw familji? Jekk ha jalqu, jalqu kollox ha nigu fi zminijiet ta dinosawri! sa fratant ha jitilfu xogholom hafna nies li ghal kuntlarju li qal xi hadd bil ktieb tax xoghol qedin muma jiehdu lebda taxxa min fuq darna.

Joseph Micallef

Aug 6th 2009, 22:35

Obviously we still insist to call ourselves "bloggers" here - no matter the letter i sent to explain and the comments of support i received here - you keep calling yourselves "bloggers". People commenting here have changed the real meaning of blogs and blogging and its only people who write here who do that. Just for the record for the nth time I repeat - people who write here are just commentators not bloggers. Let's not give a word the wrong meaning and be the only one's in the world who do so please!

Emmanuel Scicluna

Aug 6th 2009, 19:21

About time to take action for this illegal activity though, it is better late then never.The police has to make a deep search for these illegal gambling machines. These guys has already hidden most of them in other places.

c.t. busuttil

Aug 6th 2009, 19:09

You can never win with us Maltese! If there is action, we criticise; if there isn't, we call our Government sleepy. We blame it all on our governments no matter what. What I fail to understand is why we wait till August, as had happened with the street furniture (which seems to be on pause).

D Agius

Aug 6th 2009, 19:05

To All Bloggers putting the blame on the Police Force for not acting before: Every law has it's Loop holes and whilst these people were opening these establishments one of these Loop Holes was discovered! There was no Police law with regards the control of such establishments and Licences were obtained from other entities such as the Trading Licence Unit and the MTA. Now, a new law has been adopted and the Police Force has the Tools necessary to work with. All Police Officers have a "bible" namely 'The Laws of the Republic of Malta' and thus on this they can act on enforcing every single law written within.

j micallef

Aug 6th 2009, 18:46

@ Kevin Vella
Kun realistiku! Tini l-indirizz tieghek u niftah xi hanut bhal ma semejt int taht id-dar tieghek u naraw tiehux gost bija!!! specjalemt jekk ghadek qed trabbi!!
Tghidx kemm titghallem minnhom. Ghandi wiehed fl-akwata tieghi meta nghaddi min quddiemu bit-tfal ikolli indur id-dawra ghax l-indanazjoni ta dagha fahxi li tinstema u thedid ma jistemax ibelhek.
Fil-maghluq ta darek ghamel li trid!! imma mhux ghad-deterent ta uliedi. U hares l-eta biex tidhol f'dawn il-hwient kemm hi?? Ghax jien tarbija ta 3 snin fuq banketta ticassa tara l-omma tilghab rajta, biex ma nghidlikx biss sigaret go wicc bintha.
Ezempju iehor: Taf li darba bl-indanzjoni u daghdia tal-biza li kellu wiehed nesa tifel ta 6 snin warajh go hanut, u wara siegha ftakar u gie ghalih!!
Ezempju iehor: Ragel gurnata jilghab, bintu talbitu fliexkun ilma u qalla mghandix flus!!
U iehor: Purcissjoni ghadejja u dagha u loghob jibqa ghadej.

Eh dik socjeta sodda.

Dan aparti racket shih ta black market, u alla jbierek nghoddom fuq id wahda in nies li tressqu bl-uzura!!

Barra min hekk supost kellhom jigu fiskalment kontrolati, allura x'ghamlu: regghu bdew irewmu il-loghob tal-karti ghax dak mhux ikontrollat!!

Mur obsor eh, kemm int modern!!

msammut

Aug 6th 2009, 18:44

yes we made even a poem for it wow,no one considered that the operators of these shops employ so many poeple and all of them are going to be unemployed soon billi awn xol bir rimmi fil pajjiz.
plus that if a gambler wants to play and he goes in this shop to spend 20 euros now his habit is still going to be there and he goes to spend 1000 in casino.
Ok i forget maltese are very ethical and religious and very good at pointing and saying ohhh miskin he has a gambling problem or the wife cries cause her husband gamble too much money but the wife never cries cause her husband went to STRIPTESE CLUBS which are becoming even more and more but i guess its ok for the ethical and religous issues to look and wish for other women, or these they dont ruen families and these we dont need to put them police behind their doors!!!!!!! gosh how Hippocrite we are!!!!!!!!!!!

Martin Spiteri

Aug 6th 2009, 17:26

prosit Kevin Vella u min ghandu il mentalita bhal tieghu. jien minix xi dejjaq, drogi ma niehux ghax ma joghgbunix. Min irid id drogi jaqleb id dinja ghalijhom. li ikun hawn regolamenti . Gaming halls are not my cup of tea either. If anyone wants to burn himself out he will do it whatever the case. I just let the Government be realistic and move on. There are very serious issues in this country. I am for example disgusted at the way the Valletta project and the way it was undertook. That was a huge gamble for me , and I know that it is a gamble lost. 80 million down the drain for a project which has no character no sense without a roof and without a future. Dresden was bombed and it is being rebuilt as it was. Why are the Germans more sensible than us? xi dwejjaq ta nies ahna!!!!

martin saliba57@maltanet.net

Aug 6th 2009, 17:26

Dose the goverment , be it blue , red , pink , or yellow , allow these illegal machines to operate because they are the major source of income for their respective clubs ?

MARIO CAMILLERI

Aug 6th 2009, 17:13

WHO TOLD YOU THAT THESE PEOPLE PAID NI? THE MAJORITY WERE REGISTERING AS UNEMPLOYED. WE LAW ABIDING CITIZENS ARE PAYING FOR THEIR WEEKLY ALLOWANCE. AS AN ADDED BONUS THEY ARE GETTING THOUSANDS OF EUROS FROM PEOPLE WHO PREFER TO GAMBLE THAN HELPING THEIR FAMILIES.SHAME ON PEOPLE WHO MAKE MONEY OUT OF OTHER PEOPLES MISHAPS.YES AGAIN,GOOD RIDDANCE TO BAD RUBBISH.

philip pace

Aug 6th 2009, 17:10

I stopped calling Malta a Banana Republic some months ago but on reading this, I am happy to announce that all you people of Malta and Gozo (including myself) are citizens of a top class Banana Republic where things get quite amazing. First of all, the Government knows that the law has been flouted, bent as the gambling machine were classified as amusement machines since 1987. In the 1970s/80s when gloom ruled and the people voted for freedom, freedom came to the people at a very expensive and deadly price. Lies were turned into truths and facts were ridiculed. In the 1970s the gambling machines that existed in Football clubs, band clubs and bars plus amusements places like the Track (Alhambra) and the Golden 7 were declared illegally and were banned. Since then when freedom came at a very high price indeed, these machines and other third grade ones came back again regardless of the fact that these were and are still illegal. The hurting bit is that the Government closed it's eye and together with the machine operators they swindled the people as the machines were probably fixed and the Government cashed in from the so called amusement 'permits'.

Galea. L

Aug 6th 2009, 17:06

D Farrugia, simon borg, lorry caruana, Then the law should be changed not to allow them to operate because they are destroying Maltese families. Those employees are helping to destroy MAltese families. JOHN MAHONEY You are right. Lotto has been given to foreigners and they are allowed to do anything while when it was in Government hands and all profits went into Malta's coffer to be used for the citizens there was a lot of controls. How about nationalizing everything again for the people's profits? Kevin Vella Ghalhekk qeghdin tajjeb in-nies f'dawk il-pajjizi Kevin. Jaqaw ghandek xi hanut minnhom inti?

A.GRECH

Aug 6th 2009, 16:48

Dari l-qassisin twajba ta' l-irhula kienu jtambru u jippridkaw kontra l-VIZZJU MISHUT TAL-LOGHB. Veru li kienu nies ta' ftit skola u minghajr universita' u certifikati, izda kellhom hafna Valuri. u il-lum???????

Chris Cutajar

Aug 6th 2009, 16:48

Whoever worries about the loss of jobs in this case is truly unaware of what some families are going through as a result of succumbing to gambling. The presence of these non-regulated gaming centres all over Malta and Gozo is the equivalent of opening a bar next door to an alcoholic's home, and expecting him to recover successfully from his addiction. Gamblers who take the first step and decide not to set foot inside casinos (after signing a special statement) are bombarded by temptation at every corner by these gaming centres. Youngsters who are too young to be allowed inside casinos are quickly turning into seriously-addicted gamblers after being lured by easy money. People are getting entangled in the web of usury, theft and petty crimes to try and pay off their debts. Families are being broken. Anyone who actually knows the real situation knows that all this is not worth the jobs gained via these gaming centres!!!!!!!!!

J Saliba

Aug 6th 2009, 16:45

@Ilona Dougall

who said they are not paying NI ?? you should know facts before drawing conclusions

D Farrugia

Aug 6th 2009, 16:38

No it is not good riddance to bad rubbish. Everybody in entitled to his own opinion but not to impose his or her opinion upon others. This is not North Korea but a democratic country and if these outlets operate within the confines of local law and are controlled and regulated like casinos are, then they should be allowed to operate.

I reserve my own opinion about gambling however i cannot go imposing what i think upon others.

JOHN MAHONEY

Aug 6th 2009, 16:32

THIS WAS A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.. WHEN WILL THE AUTHORITIES WAKE UP TO REALIZE THE THOUSANDS OF EURO BEING SPENT BY YOUNGSTERS, HOUSEWIVES WORKMEN ON THIS CURSED SUPER FIVE LOTTERY. A LAW SHOULD BE PASSED THAT ONCE THE FIVE NUMBERS DON'T COME UP THEN THE TICKET WITH FOUR NUMBERS WINS. OR IS THIS NOT GOOD NEWS FOR THE REVENUE? IMISSKHOM TISTHU...........

Claude Mizzi

Aug 6th 2009, 16:31

as a response to lorry caruana's comment. Mr. Caruana i think you misread the article... what there is written is that shops operating ILLEGALLY are being shut down.. those open legally are allowed to continue in their operation.

Mr. Vella, since you brought up the topic on drugs.... in Holland, a founding member of the EU drugs are allowed, and so are strip clubs... they arent anywhere else unless i'm mistaken. does this mean we should all allow drugs and pornography shops? Just because one joined the EU, assuming all of the EU members allowed these things, is the country obliged to conform? And finally, drugs and illegal immigration are being taken care of... not to the desired extent, but we can't rly do much more... all in all i think it was quite an ill-thought comment on your part

simon borg

Aug 6th 2009, 16:30

i think the goverment is going to far now u no ther are about 250 employers what this dr gonzi pls step down we need new faces.

Ilona Dougall

Aug 6th 2009, 16:27

@J Saliba
If these people are working without a permit (ie not paying NI ect) they deserve to be unemployed, more so if they are getting their monthly allowance from your own taxes but registering themselves as unemployed!

Ilona Dougall

Aug 6th 2009, 16:24

@Kevin Vella,
@lorry caruana
Just in case you missed the point - "Policemen are going round gaming halls all across Malta, checking permits and confiscating any gaming machines not covered by such permits."
As they say, better late then never!
Now let's hope everything doesn't get back to normal after a few days........
If i need to have a permit to work, and pay all my taxes, i do not think it is fair that others generating a greater income then me try to evade doing so.
Long live justice!

J Saliba

Aug 6th 2009, 16:19

Min ihobb jilghab mhux xorta ha jkompli jilghab..jekk mhux fil-hwienet jilghabu fuq l-internet jew fuq l-idejn jew fuq is-super 5. Intant aktar nies bla xoghol.

mario camilleri

Aug 6th 2009, 16:16

GOOD RIDDANCE TO BAD RUBBISH

Kevin Vella

Aug 6th 2009, 15:28

Come on people!! Go to ANY European Union Country and you'll see gambling outlets, XXX arcades and sex shops all over the place! Malta... kemm ahna dojoq! F'pajjizna dawn l'affarijiet ma jezistux u meta inkunu hawn nighxu bhal ma tighdilna il knisja, imbghad meta insiefru l'ewwel ma immorru huwa f'dawn it tip ta hwienet! GROW UP and start tackling SERIOUS problems like ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION and DRUG CARTELS!! Sewwa tighd John... PAJJIZ TAL MICKEY MOUSE! (WELL I THINK MICKEY MOUSE HAS DONE WELL AFTERALL!)

Tonna J.

Aug 6th 2009, 15:28

ABOUT TIME!!

BUT BETTER LATE THAN NEVER.

lorry caruana

Aug 6th 2009, 15:05

aint this stupid to make such an action now why first let them buy the machines and now stop them and confiscate them. is it fair for them if they were given the go on first? and now how many people are goin to get unempliyed? dont worry mr prime minister continue enlarging the recession and unemployment. and when we entered the eu it was supposed that we were going a ree contry not still living in the 18th century.

Rocco Cauchi

Aug 6th 2009, 14:47

I really regret subsequent different administrations which have made income from gambling, call them lotto, lotteries and what you will, and from taxes on them.
It is a shame for Christian-Democrat inspired governments especially to base much of their economy on them as if money rules the world, come they from whatever source they come.
I remember Archbishop Gonzi not wanting to bless the Casino` in the mid-sixties, having foreseen the woes gambling would have brought to countless families falling for the lure of easy money.
I wonder when administrations, be they of whatever colour, will come to their right senses on this issue, and when will a party come around and promise the removal of the hallmark our island has of a gambling mecca.
I really wonder whether all this has anything to do, psychologically at least, with our pirate past condoned by officials in high up positions in the 17-18th centuries. The force of history cannot be withheld and it can manifest itself in various forms in the course of time.

Joe Bugeja

Aug 6th 2009, 14:35

It is always good news that illegalities are being clamped down. Unfortunately it is not very common to hear of such operations although it is there for every one to see. Is it because our police force uses different roads to travel from one place to the other and maybe they live most of the time out of the country? I would like to see similar operations related to beach encroachment. We were very quick to tell Joe citizen not to do BBQs on certain beaches but it seem a ‘mission impossible’ task control Kiosks or Lidos not to occupy the whole or a very good portion of our beaches with their deckchairs and umbrellas from the very early hours of the day, awaiting to be rented. The space being left (if there is any at all) for the rest of the people are inconveniently too far behind even tough they arrive early at the beach. In certain beaches, a person cannot even hope to find a place close to the edge and if so, he/she will be asked to move back by some Kiosk or Lido owner.

Anthony Slater

Aug 6th 2009, 14:24

This is great news...however, there seems to be some grey areas which need clarification

"The new regulations will ban gaming arcades close to churches, schools and youth centres."

What is the definition of 'close'? 10m, 50m, 100m, 500m ?
What is the definition of "schools'? Kinder, Primary, Secondary, colleges, language schools?
What is the definition of 'Youth Centres'? Band clubs, scouts, girl guides etc ?

r ferriggi

Aug 6th 2009, 14:21

pajjiz tal mickey mouse (( mickey mouse land))

if you step over by 1 foot ove the yellow line - you get fine.
if you throw a paper on the floor - you get fine.
if you smoke in place - you get fine.
if you dont wear seat belt or helmet - you get fine.
if you speed slightly - you get fine.

but if you become rich by abusing the vulnerabilty of youngsters. youths and gaming addicts,,,,, free for all.

how long will this go on?? do these gambling halls have insider contacts and information??

authorities wake up.

M Zammit

Aug 6th 2009, 14:09

The initiative is good but a lot more needs to done. Some outlets have been operating for years without as permit!!!!! NOW things seem to be changing but please keep these operators away from villages completely, there are enough casinos and bingo halls with gaming machines. If need be increase casinos, at least these are fairly regulated. This way the current 'illegal'operators could apply to have a casino in designated areas.

Keeping gaming machines, ALCOHOL and TABACCO away from 'churches, schools and youth centres' is a step in the right direction but these shouldn't have been there in the first place.

The problem we have in this country is that it takes the authorities far too long to take action on such obvious issues.

Galea. L

Aug 6th 2009, 14:00

Do not allow any of them to open, confiscate all machines and destroy them publicly.
Stop Maltese families from falling victims to gambling.

Charles Sammut

Aug 6th 2009, 13:46

Well at least it did not take 30 years as in the case of the City Lights Cinema. I wonder why.

J Farrugia

Aug 6th 2009, 13:44

My suggestion is for the police to attack those shops in front of the Junior College. Illegalities have been going on over there for years now. How about some enforcement? Always the same reply: we cannot do anything about them. Who is protecting them? Selling alcohol on Id-Duluri day and everyday to students has been illegal since time immemorial. But these shops are still thriving.

savio bella

Aug 6th 2009, 13:40

my neighbour just said...

Take 'em out, take 'em down
One by one, no falter
Time has come, the secret's out
Take 'em down
Desperate times you cut your teeth on everyone's lies
Another baby born, another baby dies
In these desperate times
Still we hold our heads up high
Like we could never fall
But everytime we try
The black mantra calls

S. Bugeja

Aug 6th 2009, 13:37

@ Vincent Galea - Well said!

Everyone I know including myself has friends or family affected by the consequences of gambling. How the authorities have allowed these outlets to operate illegally for all these years just doesn't make sense. Maybe our MEP's need to hear a few real-life stories from effected families to make them realise what these gaming arcades are leading to.

Andrea Portelli

Aug 6th 2009, 13:29

Job well done to the boys in blue.

I cant stand the sight of those outlets!

G. Cachia

Aug 6th 2009, 13:10

It's about time!! Legal or illegal, these gaming arcades have been mushrooming all over towns and villages, and taking advantage of our gambling-brainwashed society. God only knows what negative effects they're having on families and youngsters. At this point I was beginning to wonder whether the owners of such arcades have been granted 'special protection'.

James Grech

Aug 6th 2009, 13:08

This is an important initiative, well done!! How about also looking for bars etc also close to schools, such as Junior College for example, and clamp down on the illegal serving of alcohol to students.

Vincent Galea

Aug 6th 2009, 13:01

A carnival of human emotion in a ' palace' of dreams made and shattered.

Victor Mercieca

Aug 6th 2009, 13:00

Well done.most arcades are operating illegally,

anton cassar

Aug 6th 2009, 12:58

Some of them did not open their doors today.Police are waiting outside their pemises,probably the owners of these gaming halls had some tip off last night.

M. Farrugia

Aug 6th 2009, 12:50

Good to see enforcement finally! But did it really have to take so long for the police to take action? How is it possible that the police are never aware of illegal or suspicious activities which is often common knowledge to Joe Citizen? Whatever it may be, the public surely appreciates such swift police action. No one should be above the law.

Mark Camilleri

Aug 6th 2009, 12:42

Good news.

Robert Dimech

Aug 6th 2009, 12:39

Mela stembahna?!
Most outlets have been (illegally) open for business for months.............