A rehabilitation centre for pathological gamblers could be set up by the Responsible Gaming Foundation, according to its chairman, Silvio Schembri.

“The World Health Organisation has listed gambling as one of the top diseases in the world. In Malta, however, gambling tends to be treated through programmes which are also directed at alcoholism,” he said.

The foundation started functioning a mere three days ago with the commissioning of a business plan, which will map out the campaigns and initiatives to be undertaken within the next four years.

The education campaign would be two-pronged, Mr Schembri explained. It will target children at a young age and educate players and their families.

Economic Growth Parliamentary Secretary José Herrera said the foundation would educate customers to use the services of regulated service providers while aiming to kill illicit activity.

Going underground was dangerous because people ended up borrowing lots of money, which bred usury and criminality, Dr Herrera said. He was speaking following a tour of the Maltco headquarters when CEO Ioannis Katakis made another €50,000 contribution to the foundation. The independent foundation receives a yearly €50,000 contribution from Malta, additional funding coming from other gaming companies operating in Malta.

Dr Herrera said the government was endeavouring to see whether it could create an academy within the Lotteries and Gaming Authority in conjunction with the University of Malta to train people to help gamblers who were overcome by the vice.

The government was also looking to set up a call system to help gamblers and their families.

“It’s about striking a balance between promoting the gaming industry, which provides a large percentage of the GDP, and our corporate social responsibility.”

Lotteries and Gaming Authority chairman Joseph Cuschieri said all licensees had to follow guidelines and responsible gaming policies. Serious licence holders took the initiative of barring those who were gambling excessively.

“The authority is also one of very few European regulators that have a player support function, meaning players can complain directly to us rather than being referred to a consumer entity,” Mr Cuschieri said.