While many were pinning their hopes on a recent non-binding European Parliament report relating to unifying the online gambling market, it seems that there was a letdown.

According to the Malta Today, the recent EP vote yielded 566 members voting in favor of keeping online gambling in control of member states, 36 against with 66 members abstaining from voting; including a number of MEPs from Malta, which has members of the local online gambling industry angry.

"In principle, the resolution means member states will also retain the right to control as they wish the exposure of consumers to online gambling, and protect them against addiction, fraud, money-laundering and fixed games," reported the Malta Today.

"The Maltese Remote Gaming Council (MRGC) said that the four MEPs did not bother to sign an alternative report that was in the interest of the island's industry while two of them did not attend the session when the crucial vote was taken," said the Times of Malta.

While a majority of the Maltese MEPs were criticized, nationalist member of European parliament Simon Busuttil was spared as "he was the only one who followed the dossier with interest and made sure to lend his support," the TOM went on to say.

Drawn up British MEP Malcolm Harbour, it suggests that online gambling is another part of the economy and as such should be subject to European Union market rules.

"We just cannot understand how only three of the five Maltese MEPs voted for the alternate resolution submitted," the MRGC's general secretary Alan Alden told the Times of Malta.

"Furthermore, we noted that only Simon Busuttil actually endorsed the alternate resolution."

"Malta is always trying to attract investment and needs to do all in its power to protect the remote gaming industry, which accounts for six per cent of GDP, directly employs 2,000 people and indirectly about another 2,000," Alden said.