The second item discussed at the very first meeting of the Borg Olivier Cabinet on Monday, 27 August 1962, regarded the establishment of the Kursaal (later known as the Dragonara Casino)

From the Cabinet minutes:

Mr S Mizzi, Director of Industrial Development and Mr J. Pollacco, chairman of the Government Tourist Board, were in attendance.

The secretary to the Cabinet read a latter which the Prime Minister had received from Sir Victor Raikes wherein a government decision was solicited on certain matters relating to the Kursaal project.

It was agreed that Sir Victor Raikes should be informed that:

-                A. The Dragonara is to be the place for the casino.

-                B. The maximum ‘Petits Jeux’ stakes are to be raised to 10/-.

-                C. An adequate daily car ferry service from Sicily and the Italian mainland is to start by the end of April 1964. In this regard, the Malta Government will use its good offices with the Italian Government to obtain economic rates without prejudice, however, to the right of the government to insist on the operation of the car ferry service within the stipulated period. Should however the car ferry service not be operating by the end of April 1964, through ‘force majeure’, the company shall be liable to pay the government the higher rates of 17½% and 50% in respect of ‘petits jeux’ and ‘grands jeux’ respectively with effect from the opening of this Kursaal or the date of the suspension of the service through ‘force majeure’.

-                D. That a hotel with 200 two-bedded rooms is to be built by 1966 of which 50 two-bedded rooms are to be completed during the first year.

-                E. The ‘Grands Jeux’ will be introduced at the request of either party and 40% of gross takes in respect thereof are to be paid to the government. Such percentage will be raised to 50% of gross takes after 15 years from the opening of the Kursaal.

-                F. No gambling will be allowed at Ghajn Tuffieha and the Syndicate will have twelve months to consider the use of the land there. The Syndicate is however to submit an area utilisation plan for consideration by the government within three months of the signing of the new contract.

-                G. Documentary evidence is to be produced that Dragonara has been conveyed to the company, and

-                H. Detailed statements are to be produced by the company showing that the sum of £700,000 mentioned in Sir Victor Raikes’ letter will be expended on the project.

Sir Henry Victor Alpin MacKinnon Raikes, KBE (19 January 1901-18 April 1986) was a British Conservative politician.

He was the son of Henry St John Digby Raikes, eldest son of Henry Cecil Raikes. His mother was Annie Lucinda (née Mackinnon).[1]Educated at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge, he unsuccessfully contested Ilkeston in 1924 and 1929 before being elected for South East Essex in 1931. During World War II, he served as a flight lieutenant in the Royal Air Force.

In 1945, Raikes was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Liverpool Wavertree. In 1950, 1951, and 1955 he was elected for Liverpool Garston.

He left office in 1957 and was replaced by Richard Martin Bingham in a by-election.

(From Wikipedia)