Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/439085
Events 24 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 28 DECEMBER 2014 The Lotteries and Gaming Au- thority (LGA), having recognised certain concerns due to the lack of specific regulation regarding dig- ital games of skill with prize via distance communication that are offered commercially, has issued a consultation document to elicit the industry's view of a regulated market for this sector and any other feedback which the indus- try may have. Other legislation, mainly con- sumer legislation, addresses certain facets of the offering of these games. Nevertheless, the Authority feels that spe- cific regulation of this form of gaming, or guidelines relat- ing thereto, may be required. The LGA currently regulates games of chance with prize, and games of chance and skill with prize. Games that do not provide the possibility for the participants to win a prize are not regulated by the LGA. "The notion that a participant in a game can be lured by the pos- sibility of monetary gain underpins the LGA's interest in this sector from a regulatory point of view," said LGA's Executive Chairman, Joseph Cuschieri. "We feel there is a concern due to the occurring mon- etary transaction which can be susceptible to various forms of crime. It is our intention to ensure that the consumer is ad- equately protected and that the gaming operation itself is fair and secure with respect to the participant." The consultation document can be accessed at http://goo.gl/ Pft9Ho. The LGA has set up a dedicated electronic mailbox for the purposes of this consultation and will receive queries/requests for clarifications that contributors may have in respect of the contents of the paper and proposals. Contri- butions and feedback from interest- ed parties can be sent on the follow- ing email address, skillgames.lga@ lga.org.mt. The consultation period was launched 17 December, 2014 and will end on 4 February, 2015. HSBC Malta embraces disability as part of diversity and inclusion On the occasion of the Internation- al Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3), HSBC Malta cel- ebrated diversity and inclusion at its workplace. While celebrations marking this day at HSBC Group were held worldwide, HSBC Malta welcomed Parliamentary Secretary for Rights of Persons with Disability and Ac- tive Aging, Justyne Caruana at its business centre in Qormi. She was greeted by HSBC's management, and employees, including staff members with disabilities. Hon. Justyne Caruana said: "HS- BC group is striving to include persons with disability in their workforce and I hope that this will continue and increase. The Malta Budget presented for next year pri- oritises employment for persons with disability giving incentives for companies to employ persons with disability, just as HSBC does." HSBC Malta Head of Human Resources Mandy Garner said: "People with disabilities have tal- ents and skills that can enhance our business and operations - we do not see the disability but focus on "ability". HSBC Malta is forever committed to close the gap in the employment of disabled individu- als in our diverse workforce, for we are fully aware of their abili- ties, their needs, their potential and their contribution." Beyond the steps to ensure a wel- coming workplace for disabled in- dividuals, HSBC is committed to bolstering its operations to become more accessible to people with dis- abilities. In October 2014, the bank announced the successful installa- tion and commissioning of its Talk- ing ATMs for visually impaired customers. The facility will be ex- tended to the Bank's entire ATM network in Malta in 2015. During the same month, HSBC Malta partnered with Richmond Foundation to mark the Group- wide "Focus on Ability" with an emphasis on physical and mental health awareness and wellbeing in the workplace. Additionally, the Bank celebrates employee diversity and inclusion with formal and informal pro- grammes as well as special policies and training. The Bank has more than 50 employee resource groups (ERGs), which provide support and guidance to create an inclusive working environment. The Parliamentary Secretary for Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing, Justyne Caruana speaks to a staff member at HSBC Qormi McDonald's Malta raises €28,000 in aid of L-Istrina McDonald's Malta has raised €28,000 in aid of L-Istrina with its 'Share a Smile' campaign throughout Novem- ber. L-Istrina, the Boxing Day fund- raising marathon, is held under the patronage of the President of Malta and the Malta Community Chest Fund. Customers visiting McDonald's restaurants in November were en- couraged to upload photos featuring the customised cut-out smiles, while commemorative keychains were available for sale at €1 from all res- taurants. McDonald's donated €1 for every photo uploaded. More proceeds were raised from the sale of keychains and a number of piggy banks made available throughout all McDonald's restaurants in Malta and Gozo. All of the McDonald's restaurants also carried out various activities, which contributed towards raising further funds for charity. On the 29 November, McDon- ald's joined the global McDonald's McHappy Day celebrations to raise further funds and awareness for chil- dren's causes. Special events were held in the various restaurants throughout the day. "All of us at McDonald's are com- mitted to supporting the communi- ties in which we operate. The 'Share a Smile' initiative is very close to our heart as the proceeds go towards the welfare of children who need care and protection," noted Victor Tedesco, Managing Director at McDonald's Malta. McHappy Day is McDonald's Malta's largest fundraising event, bringing all its restaurants together for a good cause. Over the past 12 years, McHappy Day has raised over €258,000 for charity. Premier Capital plc is the develop- mental licencee for McDonald's in Es- tonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Malta. It operates 59 stores in prime locations, more than half of which are McDrives. Premier Capital plc also runs 14 McCafé operations across its footprint. Its total staff complement exceeds 2,800 people. More information about McDon- ald's Malta and the Share a Smile campaign are available on Facebook via www.facebook.com/McDon- aldsMT The Lotteries and Gaming Authority issues a consultation document for Digital Games of Skill with Prize More GasanMamo employees participate in Corporate Social Responsibility activities This year the GasanMamo Insur- ance Staff Voluntary Scheme has proved to be an attainment following the increased number of participa- tion by the company's employees. The scheme was launched last year with a considerable number of staff members opting to take an extra day of paid leave to partake in voluntary work activities during work hours. Some of the activities taken by Gas- anMamo employees included volun- tary work in local communities and also charitable work abroad. Maria Spiteri opted to use this scheme for a voluntary experience in Spain at Sisters of Madre Therese Convent for two weeks. "Undoubtedly this was a unique experience as we worked with home- less people and children that have various social problems. I used to coordinate events for youngsters and every morning we used to pick up the children from different places and bring them to the convent, serve them food and organise various ac- tivities like crafts and outings," she said. Anthony Zammit and Jose Busut- til spent a day helping the Ursuline Sisters in Valletta this year, painting some of the walls, which were in great need of maintenance. Both of them recall this experience as meaning- ful, which helped them gain confi- dence in their professional work, feel a sense of satisfaction and reward, achievement and fulfilment. T h e other employees that participated in this voluntary scheme were James Borg Cumbo, Lara Barbuto, Elaine Camilleri and Mariella Mangion. The intention of the GasanMamo Volunteering Leave Scheme is to boost employees to contribute more in their communities, which will im- prove the quality of life and opportu- nities for all citizens. The company's Managing Direc- tor, Julian Mamo believes that such scheme helps to develop the com- munication, interpersonal, team working skills and ability to work in- dependently therefore GasanMamo will continue to fund this scheme in order to increase the number of workers taking this voluntary pro- gram in the near future. McHappy Day at McDonald's Victor Tedesco (left) addressing President Marie- Louise Coleiro Preca and her husband