The Communist Party of Malta condemns the position taken by the present administration to renew the contract of Maltco Lotteries on the eve of a general election. The decision to extend this contract should have been left for the new administration.

Public lotto should have never been privatised. Today, the majority of the profits are going in the hands of a foreign private company. When it was state-run, the profits went directly to the government which in return used them to subsidise social services. In real terms, this was a social concept.

The recent reform in lotto prices and the winnings show that the company is after maximum profits. The ‘good causes’ fund is only an excuse for the government to hide behind it, and is using this fund to alienate civil society. We appeal to civil society to have a social conscience and not participate in such schemes.

Parliament should follow the example of Cyprus where the government is against the policy of privatisation of public lottery. The Cypriot government believes that a growing gambling culture is harmful to society.

■ Victor Degiovanni

Secretary

Communist Party of Malta