The remote gaming industry contributed an additional 11.8 per cent to the economy last year than it did in 2011 with €22 million paid in gaming taxes and €45 million in income tax and other contributions and taxes by remote gaming employees, a survey commissioned by the Malta Remote Gaming Council and carried out by Deloitte has shown.

The survey was presented to the industry this morning.

Economic Growth Parliamentary Secretary Edward Zammit Lewis said that the government intended to continue strengthening the Maltese gaming industry and the regulatory framework that protected it and its players.

The government was working on new regulations to regulate casinos on cruise liners and a study on social casino games was being carried out.

He said that, if found to be feasible, the government would regulate this niche market to attract more gaming companies

The survey found that there was a significant increase in operators’ expenditure, especially on taxes and wages. There was an 11 per cent increase in expenditure over 2011 and when compared to 2008, expenditure doubled from €112 million to €227 million.

Between 2011 and 2012 there was a 24.8 per cent increase in employment in the industry but the average salary dropped by 7.5 per cent.

There were increases in expenditure on telecommunications, IT, travel, entertainment and utilities and in rent. Out of €145 million spent on wages, €100 million were directly injected into the economy.

There was also a three per cent increase in employment of Maltese nationals.

VAT paid by remote gaming companies increased from €2.8 million in 2011 to €6 million in 2012.