Gambling should never be encouraged because "it is always a loser" but it has to be distinguished from bingo, Caritas said in reaction to concerns of gaming infiltrating into parish band clubs and other corners of society.

"Shame on us for allowing the creation of the gambling culture in our islands," the Church's arm on the issue said.

Caritas was reacting to concerns expressed by Oasi Foundation founder Fr Emmanuel Cordina who raised the issue of the spread of gaming "on to our doorsteps" and even into parish band clubs, under the guise of bingo centres.

He claimed that various forms of gaming were seeping into every corner, hurting even more when they entered parish halls, convents, sports centres and other venues connected to the Church, even taking place on the parvis, which were frequented by children and youths.

Caritas said it had often drawn the attention of the relevant authorities to the uncontrolled promotion of gambling in the media and to the mushrooming of gaming venues, without serious surveillance and effective regulations to reduce abuse.

Having offered services for those who were addicted to gambling and victims of usury for many years, it was well aware of its "ugly" consequences on individuals and their families.

"Youths are in serious danger of getting caught up in the vice of gambling," it said.

However, it did not refer directly to the issue of what could be described as gaming in Church-related venues and activities.

Fr Cordina, who works among addicts, has written to Gozo Bishop Mario Grech asking him to take action, spurred by news of the planned investment in a 24-hour bingo centre at a band club in Gozo.

He saw this as a cause for concern not just for the country but also for the Catholic community, saying it was time for the Church to speak its mind on these moral issues.

Band clubs had a cultural mission to offer music to support the parish and the village feast; they were tied to parishes and should be offering a decent environment and a form of entertainment, Fr Cordina said, adding that they could disassociate themselves if necessary but should not convey a double and immoral meaning.