An island gambling den

A strong measure of control of unauthorised gambling outlets took an inordinately long time in coming. Still, look forward now - the authorities finally moved on Thursday and over the weekend. What the Finance authorities could not do for months, even years, suddenly became feasible as if overnight.

The police raided no less than around 80 gambling arcades outlets, and also confiscated a number of slot machines. There are several hundred such machines in use all over the island, which operators cynically attempt to pass off as "amusement" toys. Gamblers young and old do not seem deterred by the well-known fact that the machines are one-armed bandits. As with most gambling, the odds are well stacked in favour of the house. Ultimately, and on average nobody wins against it.

The action by the police was taken in the absence of a clear-cut declaration by the finance ministry and the gaming authority about what had changed to make the belated attack on unauthorised - if not illegal - gambling possible. A major factor must have been the knowledge that legislation to regulate gambling outside licensed casinos will be presented to the House of Representatives when it reconvenes after the summer break.

There can be no doubt that the draft legislation will be unanimously approved in principle on the second reading, although the government can expect opposition stick over the time it took it to act decisively. The draft might even be strengthened in the committee stage of its consideration.

Once enacted into law the authority will be in a far better position to regulate gambling than it has been so far. That, however, should not be the end of the story. The fact that the area for illegal gambling will be reduced effectively means that space for legal gambling will be expanded. That is where deeper considerations will come in.

They start from the legislating stage - the law needs to be tough in its conditions about who can gamble, and where. Implementation of the provisions of the law need to be strict as can be. Once in operation the law should be monitored to determine what loopholes are found in it by those determined to promote gambling for their own profit as far as they can, so that amendments can be enacted as soon as possible.

Moving beyond the legislative and enforcement process, there is the social context. Gambling, like smoking, may be legal and become more so. That notwithstanding, it is very harmful. It quickly develops from a habit to have a light fling to a vice that mercilessly grips many individuals, young and old and of whatever gender.

That is seen in the extensive legalised gambling that takes place in the form of lotto bets, and in the pathetic dependence of various citizens on our casinos, which are intended mostly to attract the passing tourist. Social awareness of the implications of Malta being and becoming more of a gambling den is required. Parents have to set a good example even as they try to drum into their offspring the desirability of staying away from any form of gambling.

The clampdown by the police on Thursday elicited many favourable comments. None were more apt than those made by Sina Bugeja, chief executive of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services. She reiterated concern about gaming arcades, especially ones operating illegally. She 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 off.

Ms Bugeja added that the country should be careful not to pay a high social price for these businesses.

Will we all be careful enough?