Luck runs out for gaming arcades

Slot machines stopped jingling en masse around the island yesterday as the police swooped down on all the known illegal gambling arcades in Malta.

About 80 outlets were targeted in the massive clampdown and some 23 machines were confiscated from San Ġwann, Floriana and Qormi.

Several outlets were closed by the police but many others were found already shuttered as word spread of the impending operation.

In these cases police officers were stationed outside the shops to make sure they did not re-open.

A government spokesman said none of the arcades had been operating with the necessary Gaming Authority licence.

The authorities are hoping this operation will spell the end of the game for unregulated arcades, which have mushroomed over the past few years by exploiting the absence of a legal framework and operating under the guise of amusement machine outlets.

Last March, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech told this newspaper that it was difficult for the police to take action because of lacunas in the law. Back then he had already warned the arcade owners that their future was not guaranteed.

When asked what had changed to allow yesterday's raid, he said the complications in enforcement had been ironed out but he would not be more specific.

The arcades issue had been raised by the chairman of the Parliamentary Social Affairs Committee, which last March urged the government to shut them down.

Parliament is now expected to approve new regulations governing these parlours after the summer recess.

Asked why they had not been given time to conform with regulations after being allowed to operate without a licence for years, Mr Fenech insisted they had been interpreting the law incorrectly and trying to operate under the pretence that their machines were not gambling but amusement machines, which they evidently were not.

"It is not an issue of coming into line. What I would suggest is for those operating without a licence to close down and apply for a licence when the new regulations are issued," he said, adding: "I am not here to safeguard business which is abusing the vulnerabilities of people."

The authority gathered information about the outlets over a few weeks, passing it on to the police.

Although the police were granted a court warrant to enter outlets around the island and check their equipment, six companies filed requests for a prohibitory injunction to stop their machines from being confiscated. The requests were temporarily upheld and a court hearing is scheduled for August 24.

The police would be keeping tabs on the gaming arcades to make sure they did not reopen, the government said in a statement.

Foundation for Social Welfare Services chief executive Sina Bugeja welcomed the clampdown, expressing concern about gaming arcades, especially ones operating illegally.

"Anything that is legal can be controlled but there are no controls for those operating illegally. We are asking for trouble," she said, adding that there were some in close proximity to schools or other establishments frequented by young people.

Ms Bugeja said she was worried that the arcades could ensnare young people in the gambling habit, which while easy to get into was very hard to shake.

Every year around 50 people seek help from the foundation's gambling services, although it is not clear whether they fall victim to illegal gambling.

"Regulations need to be in place to protect vulnerable people," Ms Bugeja said, adding that the country should be careful not to pay a high social price for these businesses.