Maltco Lotteries Limited was yesterday accused of failing to obey a court order stopping it from switching off terminal computers at lotto booths after a number of operators refused to sign a new contract.

The lotto receivers’ union took the matter to court, claiming the receivers had been given a contract that offered “radically changed conditions” that they found unreasonable.

The union secretary, Benny Agius, said between 180 and 200 lotto receivers did not sign the contract.

He said they were only given a few days to review the new contract before being asked to sign it and they felt it was imposed upon them with a “take it or leave it” attitude.

The union had secured the court order at the 11th hour on Wednesday when the old contract was due to expire at midnight.

Mr Justice Mark Chetcuti yesterday temporarily upheld the warrant, stopping Maltco Lotteries Limited from turning off the terminal computers until the case is heard next Thursday.

In a statement, Mr Agius claimed that, despite this order, the company was still refusing to resume the service before the receivers signed the new contract.

Just last month, Maltco won a 10-year concession agreement for the rights of the national lottery which was signed last week.

Among the conditions the receivers find unreasonable are the requirements to work exclusively for Maltco and to achieve sales targets of €15,000 per month, something that was impossible for some of the receivers, they said. Furthermore, commissions were being “frozen” for 10 years.

Maltco later issued a statement saying it was “business as usual” with those lotto receivers who had signed the contract, numbering about 40. Their localities are available on its website.

The Lotto draw of Saturday would be taking place in the normal manner, it added.