As the Lotto Receivers Union (LRU) awaits an update of the proposed changes to Super 5 and lotto, the union’s president has expressed his concern that the changes could enlarge the web of illegal gambling, which could in turn have a strong negative effect on society.

LRU, together with Union Haddiema Maghqudin (UHM), have written to Parliamentary Secretary in the Finance Ministry, Tonio Fenech, objecting to the proposed changes, which include an increase in the price of Super 5 tickets from 50 cents (EUR1.16) to 65 cents (EUR1.51), even if Maltco are also proposing to increase the minimum jackpot from Lm40,000 (EUR93,174) to Lm50,000 (EUR116,468).

The Malta Independent spoke to LRU president Arthur Rossi, who said that they have not yet received a reply from the parliamentary secretary and that they are concerned over the fact that punters could lose faith in the legal lotteries and participate in the “ever-growing” illegal gambling sector.

“Supposedly, Maltco enjoys a monopoly, but illegal gambling is certainly a competitor and the whole society stands to lose should people’s confidence in Maltco be lost,” said Mr Rossi, adding that the government’s intentions to improve the gaming sector through privatisation are proving unsuccessful.

At the end of the day Maltco is just the licensee, the gaming sector is still government-regulated, so it is in the government’s interest to make sure that illegal gambling does not take over.

Another proposal that LRU is informed forms part of Maltco’s plans is to reduce the ceiling for lotto winnings. This currently stands at Lm500,000 (EUR1.16 million), but Maltco plans to reduce this to 70 per cent of weekly lotto sales.

Although he could not provide exact amounts of average weekly sales, Mr Rossi said that according to LRU’s calculations, the proposed ceiling would amount to less than half the current Lm500,000 (EUR1.16 million) ceiling.

Asked whether there were indications of the current rate of illegal gambling in Malta, Mr Rossi said it was certain that this 20- to 25-year practice is on the increase, particularly since it does not involve any overheads or tax.

He said people are definitely not well-informed about the devastating effect that illegal gambling could have on society.