Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1001069
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 4 JULY 2018 5 NEWS KURT SANSONE FOREIGNERS employed with gaming companies continued to increase last year and now make up 72% of the sector's workforce, according to the regulator's annual report. Non-Maltese workers in the remote gaming sector increased by four percent- age points between 2016 and 2017. "This further highlights the need for expatriate workers to sustain the growth of the industry," the Malta Gaming Authority said in its analysis of the data. The MGA's annual report for 2017 shows that the re- mote gaming sector employed 5,861 people, an increase of more than 500 over 2016. This growth in employment came as a result of more gam- ing companies opening shop in Malta. Last year there were 287 gaming companies, an in- crease of 11%. They collec- tively held 625 gaming licenc- es issued by the regulator. The number of licences increased by 22%, primarily as a result of new regulations for fantasy games that were introduced towards the end of 2016. Despite the increase in com- panies and licences, the on- line gaming sector's tax con- tribution dropped by 3% to €26.5 million. The decrease in tax revenue from remote gaming compa- nies was mitigated by other sectors regulated by the MGA such as land-based casinos, gaming parlours and the na- tional lottery. The total tax income for government from the gam- ing sector as a whole stood at €59.1 million. The industry's gross value added to the economy stood at €1.1 billion last year. It em- ployed 6,673 people, of which 5,861 were in remote gaming and 812 in land-based opera- tions. In its forecast, the MGA said the gaming industry in Malta was expected to continue "to grow markedly" in 2018 and 2019, partly underpinned by the industry outlook at a glob- al level, which most sources suggest is a positive one. This optimism was reflected in the findings of surveys un- dertaken by the MGA, which indicate an expected growth in gross gaming revenue and employment, of around 15% and 10% respectively. The MGA said that exist- ing operators expected to in- crease their expenditure in Malta, in a range of around 8% to 13% per annum over the next two years. "Expectations of land-based operators are also positive but somewhat less upbeat than those of remote gaming firms," the authority said. Inspections Five remote gaming licences were suspended and another three cancelled by the regula- tor last year as it stepped up inspections of operators. The MGA also issued 45 ad- ministrative fines, over regu- latory breaches. The authority carried out 14,826 inspections on land- based operators, including 10,417 at casinos, 812 at com- mercial bingo outlets and 2,190 at gaming parlours. There was an increase of 27% in inspections last year when compared to 2016. The MGA said its officials carried out 16 inspections related to illegal gambling in various bars and clubs and areas where illegal bingo was organised. Some of these operations were carried out in conjunc- tion with the police, the au- thority said. ANNOUNCEMENT Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes Open Rolling Calls – Cut-off dates Operational Programme I – Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges The Measures and Support Division within the Ministry for European Affairs and Equality, designated by the Managing Authority for Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 as the Intermediate Body responsible for administering aid schemes for enterprises under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014 – 2020, would like to announce further cut-off dates for 2018 for the submission of applications under the Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes intiative. The cut-off dates are published on the Business Enhance website https://businessenhance.gov.mt and may be accessed from https://businessenhance.gov.mt/en/News/Pages/OPEN-CALLS-.aspx Dates and venues for Information Sessions may be found from the same Business Enhance website. Further information on these calls including the respective Guidance Notes and the Guidelines for Implementation may be obtained from https://businessenhance.gov.mt. 2,190 at gaming parlours. There was an increase of Operational Programme I – European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 "Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges" Advert part-financed by the European Regional and Development Fund Co-financing rate: Public Eligible (80% European Union; 20% National Funds) ANNOUNCEMENT Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes Open Rolling Calls – Cut-off dates Operational Programme I – Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges The Measures and Support Division within the Ministry for European Affairs and Equality, designated by the Managing Authority for Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 as the Intermediate Body responsible for administering aid schemes for enterprises under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014 – 2020, would like to announce further cut-off dates for 2018 for the submission of applications under the Business Enhance ERDF Grant Schemes intiative. The cut-off dates are published on the Business Enhance website https://businessenhance.gov.mt and may be accessed from https://businessenhance.gov.mt/en/News/Pages/OPEN-CALLS-.aspx Dates and venues for Information Sessions may be found from the same Business Enhance website. Further information on these calls including the respective Guidance Notes and the Guidelines for Implementation may be obtained from https://businessenhance.gov.mt. Foreigners make up almost three quarters of online gaming employees Casinos Outlets: 4 Gaming taxes: €17 million (+18%) Employees: 584 (-64 people) Player visits: 910,202 (+0.6%) Gaming parlours Outlets: 52 (+4) Gaming taxes: €2.1 million (+31.2%) Employees: 117 (+10 employees) Player visits: 564,090 (+30.5%) Commercial bingo halls Outlets: 5 (+1) Gaming taxes: €601,945 (-1.1%) Employees: 44 (-2) Player visits: 180,780 (-4.4%) National lottery/Maltco Gaming tax: €12.8 million (+3.5%) Contribution to Good Causes Fund: €685,083 Total sales: €92.6 million Draw-based games accounted for 75.9% of sales, sports games 22.4% and instant games 1.7%. Remote gaming sector Companies: 287 (+11%) Licences (all classes): 625 (+22%) Gaming tax: €26.5 million (-3%) Employees: 5,861 (+534) Key Figures