SOURCE: www.independent.com

The online gaming industry may be contributing to the Maltese economy but it seems it is also attracting some sharp criticism, which has prompted the Malta Remote Gaming Council to issue a statement on the subject.

It said that a number of people have expressed concerns about the increasing availability of gambling services and the potential dangers that this brings in terms of problem gambling.

“Unfortunately a number of comments raised give the impression that the online gaming industry, including that based in Malta, is unregulated and unscrupulous.”

“The subject is often treated with an alarmist tone, treating complex issues superficially without, it seems, to have undertaken sufficient research into the online gaming industry in Malta, its regulation and its participants.”

The council said the online gaming industry is an important and growing contributor to the economy and Malta has done well to attract a substantial number of remote gaming operators.

Every operator in Malta already adheres to a strict code of practice laid out in the Remote Gaming regulations governing such operators and the guidelines issued by the regulator, the Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA).

The Malta Standards Authority (MSA), with the participation of the Malta Remote Gaming Council (MRGC) “and other respected entities” has also developed a detailed and comprehensive standards document for the remote gaming industry which will be completed early in 2008, the council said.

It added that a common and pervasive theme in the LGA regulations and MSA standards is that of corporate responsibility in terms of problem gambling and gave some examples that address the specific concerns that are often raised.

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