Digital Economy Minister, Manuel Mallia to discuss draft law with Executive Chairman of the Malta Gaming Authority, Joseph Cuschieri to be tabled in Parliament in the near future. This will be the first update in Malta's remote gaming laws since 2004.
The debate in Parliament, which was originally meant to be about a Bill regarding risk exposure in the issuance of electronic ID cards turned into one focused almost exclusively on the remote gaming sector due to PN MP Kristy Debono pointing out the sector's rough state nowadays.
Debono spoke about the EU's principle freedom of movement becoming weaker urging the government to focus on remote gaming in terms of simplifying the licensing process in order to avoid the "hemorrhaging of companies" which could trigger a recession.
She warned that the legislation introduced in 2004 is practically obsolete taking into consideration the growth which the industry has seen over the years. MP Debono called for the law to once again be ahead of its time as it was when it was first introduced with the aim of reducing bureaucracy and studying the possibility of branching into skill game licensing.
The PN MP also took the opportunity to point out the need for updated infrastructure regarding the transport sector. She specifically mentioned the zone of San Gwann, Swieqi, Ibragg, St Andrews, St Julian's, Sliema, Gzira, Msida and Ta' Xbiex as area where the digital gaming sector thrives.
As such, the influx of workers further stresses the need for better transport infrastructure to avoid inconvenience both for the potential thousands of foreign workers in the sector, as well as the Maltese who live and work in the areas as well.
The final point regarding transport infrastructure harkens back to a number of Parliamentary Questions and Supplementary Questions posed by the Opposition MP regarding changes in roads and traffic flow due to the Kappara Junction Project.
Debono pointed out that a number of PQs which she posed to the Transport Minister, Joe Mizzi, always ended up with a "copy and paste" answer which doesn't address the fact that there was no consultation with the concerned Local Councils, but rather a notification that there will be changes.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2990CBQ
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