Opposition spokesman on economic development and financial services Charles Mangion revealed in Parliament yesterday that there were some 60 applications for the opening of gaming parlours.

Continuing his contribution to the debate in second reading of the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment), Dr Mangion said that the opposition had its doubts by the introduction of the definitions of “amusement game with prize” and “amusement machine with prize” in view of the negative social impact. At present amusement games and amusements machines were there for amusement purposes only. Was this change not another form of gambling? he asked, adding that this meant gaming parlours were being turned into gambling centres.

Dr Mangion also voiced concern about the redefinition of “skilled game”. Did this mean that bingo halls could have such skilled games, which are being defined as games for money or money’s worth the results of which depended mainly on the skill of the participant, but did not include a sport event”.

Earlier Dr Mangion referred to the fact that the Bill was also proposing to empower the Gaming Authority to license aircraft and cruise liners registered in Malta to operate casinos in Maltese territorial waters, but there was nothing to say where a ship was prohibited from carrying on such activities while berth in Malta.

Another problem was that the proposal did not specifically mention cruise liners but simply vessels, a word that included large yachts, boats and any other description used in navigation.

He said this was too wide a definition and should be limited to cruise liners operating outside Malta’s territorial waters.

Both sides of the House were in agreement that gaming had to be regulated and, because of the negative social impact, had to be controlled. What was wrong two years ago has not changed.

Dr Mangion said, he was anxious to hear the reaction of the civil society to these amendments and added that he hoped that these additional definitions were not being introduced to accommodate somebody.