27 gaming parlours licensed since May

The Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA)said today that it issued licences for 27 gaming parlours since the coming into force of Gaming Devices Regulations in mid-May.

The LGA said that only gaming parlours that are approved and granted a
licence are allowed to operate gaming devices, albeit, under very strict
conditions. Such parlours may open between from 11am to 11pm.

In order to be granted a licence, an operator needs to undergo  a very detailed
licensing process, including the requirement for a MEPA development
permit. However the fact that an operator holds a MEPA development permit does not result in an automatic granting of a gaming licence. A number of applications have been refused on the grounds of non-compliance with the Regulations  or the Location of Gaming Parlours Directive.

In order to be granted an LGA licence (which is valid for 12 months), Gaming Parlours have to be at least 75 meters away from premises listed in the directive, including schools, places of worship (such as Churches, Mosques, etc.) and playgrounds.

Throughout the licensing period, the licensees have to adhere to a
number of requirements such as a minimum payout percentage to players of 85%, maximum bets and low maximum winnings. Operators have to provide their customers detailed reports on the payout percentages of each machine, the money and time spent playing by the requesting player and the odds of the games.

The parlours are also required to adhere to player protection requirements and
social considerations, such as the requirement to offer customers the option to self-exclude themselves for a period of either six or 12 months from all
gaming establishments, including Casinos and Bingo Halls.

"Such high standards of player protection and regulatory supervision make a clear distinction between what is licensed today (in the public interest) as opposed to having illegal gaming devices in any establishment without any form of restrictions or direct supervision," the LGA said.

Licensed gaming parlours display the LGA license certificate at their
reception desk. Players need to formally register to enter the gaming parlour, whilst each gaming device has to be clearly tagged by the LGA.

Players who used unauthorised machines may be prosecuted and if found guilty may be fined for up to €235,000 and imprisoned for up to five years. Fines also apply to unregistered operators.