Objections by opposition

Labour MP Carmelo Abela hoped that the government understood opposition objections to the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill so that an agreement could be reached on a number of amendments that it would be proposing in committee stage.

Had the new Standing Committee on Family Affairs been appointed, the Bill would have been scrutinised by its members because of the negative effects gambling and gaming leave on families.

However, Mr Abela said that no one could ignore the economic impact of gambling and gaming which provided much needed revenue for the state. This sector formed part of the financial services sector which last year contributed to nine per cent of the GDP. This also meant that enforcement agencies had to increase their efforts in curtailing illegal gambling and lotteries.

Mr Abela said that the sector was very volatile and therefore called on the government to seek diversification. In particular he mentioned the need of investing more in the manufacturing sector to create jobs.

From the social aspect, gambling and gaming presented problems because of the negative consequences on families. Government agencies together with Caritas and Oasi provided support to compulsive gamblers and to their relatives.

Surveys conducted in the UK and the US showed that gambling addiction led to crisis in family relationships. Many gamblers risked their money on gaming activities which gave the chance of instant winning.

This was also the tendency also in Malta.

There was also a link between gambling, poverty and usury. He asked whether there was also a link between low income earners and gaming in all its forms.

Mr Abela argued that it was the duty of the state to provide support while embarking on national education campaigns on the consequences of gambling addiction, alcohol abuse and heavy smoking.

These matters had to be included in the school curriculum to make children aware of such problems to give them tools to become responsible adults.

He proposed that companies that made large profits from gambling and gaming make a social contribution to help agencies support vulnerable people and their families.