Operators of gambling arcades were allowed to open after the drafting of new regulations because the Gaming Authority had still not conformed to its own regulations, the former CEO of the Lotteries and Gaming Authority testified this morning.

Mario Galea said that there were several reasons why the LGA kept postponing the implementation of its own regulations and these included the general election.

A roll out plan about video lottery terminals (VLTs)was created and came about after the consultation process started in 2005.

The VLTs are commonly known as the games or street machines.

“Most of the operators had licences to operate machines but had pending premises permits”, he added.

Taking the witness stand, Superintendent Paul Vassallo said that the police investigated after they received a report from the authority to check if operators had a licence.

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