The Lotto Receivers Union and the Union Haddiema Maghqudin have written to the finance parliamentary secretary to express disappointment at changes being proposed by Maltco Lotteries to the Super 5 and Lotto games.

The unions did not say what changes were being proposed but a possible price increase seems on the cards – lotto receivers are not, for instance, issuing Super 5 tickets for weeks in advance.

The unions said that from the experience they had gained lotto receivers believed punters would be negatively affected by what was being proposed.

The proposed changes could lead to a loss of confidence by punters in the game, which could lead to a rise in clandestine gambling.

Organised gaming helped voluntary associations and musical societies through financial assistance, the unions said. A loss of income by the industry would mean this assistance ending a loser as well.