Dragonara Gaming Ltd was this afternoon granted a licence to operate the Dragonara Casino after a call for tenders during which it submitted the highest bid.

The company forms part of a consortium led by the giant Austrian gaming company Novomatic, the Pinnacle Gaming Group and Bianchi Group.

Novomatic is a global gaming company and producer of high tech gaming equipment. Its main market is the European Union but it is expanding fast in Asia and Latin America.

The Finance Ministry said Dragonara Gaming is to modernise the casino through better services and more modern equipment. It will retain the current workers.

A government call for tenders for the 10-year concession was issued last year and three companies submitted bids - Tomino Ltd, Novomatic Peninsula Consortium (Dragonara Gaming Ltd) and Dragonara Casino.

Dragonara Gaming submitted a €12.7 million bid, Tomino Ltd €11 million and Dragonara Casino €10.1 million.

Dragonara Gaming is to invest €4.6 million in new equipment immediately and a further €4.6 million over the next 10 years It will also refurbish , upgrade and modernise the premises for €4.5 million.

Employees of Dragonara Casino and Casma Ltd will be retained with their existing terms and conditions.

Mr Fenech said Dragonara Gaming was bringing a wealth of experience in casino management and was expected to enhance the Dragonara Casino's competitiveness and attractions.

He thanked the previous concessionaire, Dragonara Casino Ltd, for its contribution.

The minister underlined the importance of responsible gaming and praised the Lotteries and Gaming Authority for its monitoring operations.

He said that casinos were important for tourism and it was important for Malta to present the best facilities in this area too. That Malta was able to attract tourists of high economic value also benefited other sectors of the economy, the minister said.