Cruise liners visiting Malta can now open their onboard casinos after 6pm under new gaming regulations unveiled yesterday.

The move is intended to boost the cruising industry by encouraging ships to spend the night in Malta and possibly make a brief stop in Gozo, too.

The ship casinos will only be accessible to passengers onboard the liners and this to safeguard the local gaming outlets.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness and Economic Growth, Josè Herrera, told a news conference at Valletta Waterfront yesterday such a concession only existed in a few countries and could therefore give Malta an edge over neighbouring Mediterranean competitors.

According to the new regulations, cruise liners with a maximum capacity of 1,500 passengers would pay a €500 fee for a permission to open their casinos after 6pm while in Malta. The fee doubles to €1,000 for larger vessels.

I do not see it in any way enticing cruise ships to stay in Malta overnight

However cruise liners spending the night pay no such fee if they also visit Gozo, even for as little as six hours – a bid to boost the industry on the sister island.

Only passengers aged 18 years and over will be allowed into the casino while the ships are in Malta, and the opening times will be between 6pm and 6am.

Permit holders will be subject to random onboard inspections by Malta Gaming Authority personnel.

The regulations, which have been in the offing for a number of years, were hailed by Valletta Cruise Port CEO Stephen Xuereb, who said feedback from the industry was positive.

“This change makes Malta a more attractive proposition to cruise lines, particularly those who opt to call at Malta for an overnight stay.

“This is undoubtedly an incentive to encourage cruise lines to include both Malta and Gozo in their Mediterranean itinerary.”

Simon Mifsud, from SMS Group, is not so sure: “In all honesty, I do not see that such issues will in any way entice cruise ships to stay in Malta overnight.”