The government is taking legal action to repossess the site housing the former Casino Di Venezia as well as other areas of Vittoriosa in relation to unpaid ground rent.

More than two ground rent payments were due for the 2,500 square metre Casino Di Venezia site and for a place known as the Residence of the Palace of the Captain of the Galleys’ Squadron.

No payments have been made despite requests from the Commissioner of Land.

The Commissioner of Land asked the court to order Port Cottonera Hotel Development Co. Limited, Galleys Development Co. Ltd and Vittoriosa Gaming Limited to pay overdue ground rent and return the sites, hich had been granted to Port Cottonera Ltd on 99-year emphyteusis in June 1999.

The company had been bound to pay an annual ground rent of €582,343 after a four-year rebate.

The government said it had a right to dissolve the contract if the company was in arrears for two years.

In a statement, Parliamentary Secretary José Herrera said the government wanted the properties back as part of its efforts to regenerate the area.

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