The proposal by the Maltese government to update its amusement and gaming laws to include a ban on ticket redemption games has come in for some criticism, David Snook reported on Intergameonline.com this week.

Maltese politicians and interested parties will debate the plan for the new legislation in the coming months before the legislation is enacted.

The country closed down its arcades recently, citing transgressions of the gaming laws and pending the release of new regulations.

Banning ticket redemption games, however, is likely to be one of the most contentious. One of the international industry’s main suppliers to that sector, Harry Levy Amusements of the UK, was particularly condemning.

For the company, Colin Mallery said: “What a ridiculous suggestion! The Maltese government is about to make the same mistake as the UK government did in its last attempt to rationalise the gaming industry.

“In the UK we have become a nation of hard gamblers with ever-increasing numbers of people addicted to large stake gaming (fixed odds betting terminals in bookmaker’s shops – Ed.). Redemption, properly controlled, has been a safeguard in preventing many from becoming involved in gaming practices they cannot afford.

“There has to be another outlet for people who want to have a bit of fun while winning something to take home with them. You cannot separate hard gambling from low-stake ticket redemption by banning the operation of ticket redemption. You may just force many down the road to gambling addiction!”