Editorial

When a coordinated police effort closed all illegal gaming halls in August 2009, many were shocked by the extent of this activity that had mushroomed throughout Malta in the absence of a proper legal framework. This situation may now be remedied through the publication of the Amusement Machine Regulations and the Gaming Devices Regulation.

The new regulations aim to control clandestine gaming that often takes place in unlicensed parlours by making it legal to use amusement and gaming devices in controlled and duly authorised premises. The rules also set limits on the maximum bet, the maximum prize and a return of 85 per cent as conditions for those that operate gaming parlours.

They specify that such parlours must be located no nearer than 75 metres from places of worship, schools and playgrounds. Opening hours are limited to between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. and no food or drink can be served in these parlours. There will be many who argue this is a step in the wrong direction as such legal gaming parlours could encourage the dangerous habit of gambling and an addiction to computer and other games. Others will say that by making this kind of gaming illegal one would only be driving the practice underground where controls by the authorities would be even harder. This negative development was experienced in the early 1980s when it was illegal for Maltese citizens to gamble at the Dragonara Casino. Several private and illegal casinos sprung up across the island to satisfy the demand of local punters who were prepared to go to great lengths to satisfy their irresistible desire to gamble.

The risks associated with gambling are well documented. People who frequent gaming parlours may not squander as large amounts of money as those who frequent casinos. But the psychological damage to these gamblers is not insignificant.

The more modern addiction to playing computer games can be no less damaging, especially among some young people who often spend hours locked in their rooms staring at computer monitors and cut off from the rest. This not only destroys their love for other activities usually associated with youth, like socialising, adventure seeking and participation in sports, but can lead to a neurosis that is often difficult to shake off.

It is, therefore, important for the authorities responsible for the enforcement of these regulations to focus always on the protection of those who could be most vulnerable to the allures of gaming. Not only should the rules be strictly enforced but they also need to be revised from time to time to ensure that any negative developments in this dangerous activity are countered by new measures in the best interest of the most vulnerable clients of gaming parlours.

It is equally desirable that an educational campaign should be conducted at all levels of society to highlight the risks of addiction to gaming in all its forms and the benefits of engaging in more rewarding entertainment and pastimes. This is especially important for young people who often have financial resources but struggle to engage in interesting activities that capture their imagination. Display notices on the risks associated with gambling in gaming parlours is desirable but certainly not enough to mitigate the negative aspects of this activity.

Pulling illegal gaming from the sphere of underground entertainment to an open controlled environment is a positive development. It needs to be reinforced by constant vigilance to limit the high risk of addiction to gambling and obsessive gaming.