The government’s Privatisation Unit has selected the Eden Leisure Group s the preferred bidder for the granting of a casino licence.

Dragonara Gaming Ltd is the second preferred bidder.

The selection process had started with a call for expressions of interest on July 31 last year.

The governemnt said it intends to immediately hold talks with both companies with a view of awarding them a concession each.

Economic Services Minister Chris Cardona said the governemnt as confident that this and other decisions which are set to be announced would further improve Malta’s economic prospects.

Times of Malta reported last year that four operators have signalled an interest for a casino licence in Gozo and another six for a casino in Malta.

The government had announced it wanted to award  two 10-year concessions for a casino in Malta and another in Gozo. However interest in the Gozo bid later fell through. 

The casino industry has been operating in Malta since 1964 and its tax contribution grew to €13.5 million last year from €10 million in 2008.

The Casino' di Venezia at Vittoriosa seafront closed down last year and has remained closed since.

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