Interest calls for casinos in Malta, Gozo issued

The government has issued two calls for expressions of interest for 10-year concessions of a casino in Malta and another in Gozo. Parliamentary Secretary for the Economic Growth Edward Zammit Lewis said the international call was issued today. The government wanted to hear ideas from potential investors on how the casinos could be incorporated into larger projects, such as hotels or shopping malls. Dr Zammit Lewis said the casino industry has been in Malta since 1964. In 2008, it contributed €10 million in taxes going up to €13.5 in 2012. The call closes on July 1. There will no appeal stage. Professional people from the Lotteries and Gaming Authority will be answering queries and clarifications between June 10 and 21. Dr Zammit Lewis said he was confident interest would be shown in the calls and he had already spoken to public sector. Asked about the Casino di Venezia, he said the licence was still suspended and the government was evaluating the situation.