The MGA publishes Malta’s gaming consumption report for 2017

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has released the 2017 report on the consumption of gambling and gaming services of Maltese residents. It found that National Lottery games is the most popular form of gambling activity. Just 1–2 per cent of suggested adverse effect on their lifestyle after acquiring gambling services against payment.

Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation Hon. Silvio Schembri pointed out that the survey offers a clear picture on how all those involves can work better together to be more effective on the help provide to victims and their families.

Schembri said that despite the fact that there’s the tendency to talk about economic growth, however, at the core of the Government’s work there’s the social aspect. He said: “The survey looks into different aspects, from how much money an individual spends every week, the average time spent by individual players in gaming activities, and the increase in the use of gaming related services.”

The new gaming Act that was put into effect as from this year which strengthened the regulator’s work whilst putting consumer’s protection at the heart of our work. The 1–2 per cent of the population that admitted to having a gambling problem is very similar to the trend in Europe. “To address this issue a holistic approach is necessary hence in the coming months, the Responsible Gaming Foundation will upscale its work through the Take Action programme funded by the European Social Fund aimed at training social workers and through research amongst the victims of gambling. In this way we will have a clear picture of what is the best way forward to address effectively such issues,” he added.

The MGA’s Chief Executive Officer, Heathcliff Farrugia, said. “Players are always at the core of all our policies, hence it is extremely important to gather as much information as possible on the gambling behaviour of punters coming from different socio-economic backgrounds, in order to be able to better achieve the cardinal regulatory objective of protecting them. This survey shows that over the last two years, there was no increase in the percentage of persons who are considered problem gamblers. Having said this, behind the statistics there are persons and families who are adversely affected and as such, it is our duty together with all those who are offering gambling services, to ensure the necessary safeguards are in place to protect and provide guidance to those in need.”

A full copy of the Gambling Survey Report can be accessed here.