The Responsible Gaming Foundation started functioning three days ago with the commissioning of a business plan which will map out the campaigns and initiatives to be undertaken within the next four years.

Parliamentary Secretary for Economic Growth José Herrera said the government was exploring ways of educating people on being responsible.

He was speaking following a tour of the Maltco headquarters where he was presented with €50,000 by Maltco CEO Ioannis Katakis which will be poured into the Responsible Gaming Foundation.

The independent foundation was officially launched in February and will be funded by Maltco’s yearly €50,000 contribution as well as contributions from other gaming companies operating in Malta.

Dr Herrera said the government was endeavouring to see whether it could create an academy within the Lotteries and Gaming Authority in conjunction with the University of Malta which will train people to help gamblers who developed this vice.

The government was also looking to set up a call system to help gamblers and their families.

“It’s about striking a balance between promoting the gaming industry, which provides a large percentage of the GDP, and our corporate social responsibility.”