Operator News
Malta – Malta spends €125m on gambling in 2015
By Phil - 23 June 2017
The Maltese population is estimated to have spent around €125m in gaming services during 2015 with the National Lottery being the most prevalent form of gaming, closely followed by expenditure on gaming parlours and outlets.
The stats have been released by The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) who has for the first time published a survey into the consumption of gaming services by Maltese residents, including economic and social considerations. The scientific survey which was carried out between 2015 and 2016 provides a fair assessment of the gambling behaviours in Malta. It also gives a clearer picture on the level of problem gambling in Malta.
Around 195,300 persons are estimated to have spent money on some form of gaming activity in 2015, which is close to 56 per cent of the population aged 18 years and over. The average weekly expenditure by these persons stood at €12.30. Around 46 per cent of the population engages in games available for free,
The survey was announced and published during a press conference which was held at the Office of the Prime Minister, which was addressed by Hon Silvio Schembri, Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation and the MGA’s Executive Chairman, Joseph Cuschieri.
Hon Schembri said, that this survey was needed in order to understand fully the effect of gambling behaviour on the social life of the Maltese population, as well as understanding the economic impact this has on their everyday life. Whilst recognizing the positive effects of the Igaming industry on the Maltese economy, Hon Schembri stressed the importance of the government’s role in devising policies to safeguard this activity without impacting our society negatively. The Parliamentary Secretary also mentioned the important work carried out by the Responsible Gaming Foundation which launched a series of initiatives to help people with gambling problems, such as the 1777 helpline and self barring forms. Hon Schembri also thanked the Malta Gaming Authority for this initiative, which will provide a scientific basis for policies aimed at helping people who have gambling problems.
The MGA’s Executive Chairman, Joseph Cuschieri said: “For the first time we are publishing a scientific survey which clearly articulates the gambling behaviours of the Maltese population. This should help all stakeholders to shape policies based on scientific data rather than impressions or myths hence a more informed debate about the economic and social effects of gambling in Malta. The survey also gives size and scale of potential gambling addiction problems in Malta.”
The persons who engage in paid gaming activities are most likely those who are aged 45 and over, having an educational attainment up to Secondary level and not active in the labour market.
