Version: 0311002
Editor: Franka Pals
Publisher: Novamedia
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ATTACHMENTS
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The Republic of Malta is an archipelago with three inhabited islands in the central Mediterranean, 93 km south of Sicily and 288 km north of Tunisia. This strategic position has allowed Malta with its capital Valletta to develop as an important trading post. The Malta Freeport is one of the Mediterranean's leading container ports.
Malta which basically consists of three islands Malta, Gozo and Comino, was first colonized by the Phoenicians. Subsequently, Maltese life and culture have been influenced to varying degrees by Arabs, Italians and the British who acquired possession of Malta in 1814.
In 1964 Malta became independent and remained in the Commonwealth. So it is not very strange that Maltese and English are the official two languages.
The name Malta is best known internationally through 'The Cross of Malta', the battle standard for the Knights of St. John and a symbol for the liberation of the oppressed. Now the emblem of The Cross of Malta also symbolizes the character and objectives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. The symbol is also used by an American order of Free Masons.
The Malta Stock Exchange (Borza Ta' Malta), as the regulator of the capital market in Malta, has been a member of IOSCO since 1992. In 1999 the exchange (www.borzamalta.com.mt) became a full member of FIBV and was followed by the Associated Membership of FESE in 2000 which was a precondition for entering the EU.
The budget deficit rose from 4% of GDP in 1995 to over 11% in 1998 due to structural imbalances. The trend has now reversed: 6.7% in 1999 and 6.6% in 2000. The public debt experienced an increase but growth is slowing down and reached 60.6% of GDP in 2000. The share of imports and exports in GDP are increasing significantly. The export base of the economy is concentrated in few sectors, mainly in electronics, machinery and transport equipment (which generated about 75% of total exports in the first half of 2001). Malta is well integrated in terms of trade with the European Union. The latter accounted for around 33% of Malta's exports and 60% of its imports in 2000.
In his annual report the Governor of the Malta Central Bank Michael C. Bonello said that the jurisdiction's economy had proved surprisingly strong during 2001 and predicted faster economic growth and recovery in the second half of 2002.
The Association Agreement between the EU and Malta entered into force in 1971. It constitutes the legal framework for EU-Malta relations and provides for the creation of a customs union in two five-years stages (although this obj ective has not yet been achieved).
The most important indicator in the local scene is the considerable increase in the number of mobile phone subscriptions. In the twelve-month period from December 1999 to December 2000 an increase of 367% was registered. This means that at the end of 2000 29.1% of the total population owned a mobile phone compared to the 6.3% in the same period of 1999.
In October 2000 Short Message Service (SMS) was introduced by Vodafone Malta. From that moment subscribers in Malta already sent more than 100 million SMS messages. Competing mobile operator Go Mobile stated that more than 10 million text messages were sent by its subscribers in December 2001 alone. Their services started in December 2000. Go Mobile has reached a market penetration of 5.3 per cent after investing in a high-level network.
MobIsle Communications Ltd. is Malta's second mobile communications company. As a subsidiary of Maltacom p.l.c. the company started offering its services under the brand name 'go mobile' on 1 December 2000 after it was granted a license by the Telecommunications Regulator on 19 September 2000. Malta's telecoms monopoly Maltacom made a pretax profit of Euro 32 million in 2001, a drop of four per cent over the previous year.
However, profit from direct operations actually rose by 19 per cent. Overall, turnover was up 6.5 per cent to Euro 126.8 million.
| Population: | 394,583 (July 2001) |
|---|---|
| Age Structure | 0-14 years: 19.98% (male 40,791; female 38,062) |
| Currency: | 1 Maltese Lira = 2.53972 Euro |
| Internet: | 22% of the households ( January 1st, 2002) |
| Telecom | Mobile telephone penetration: 29.1% (December 2000) also see 1.2 |
By the end of the 17th and 18th century lotto was introduced in a number of European countries where it gained instant popularity. It was probably at this time that Maltese bettors were also introduced to the game. Still it was only in 1922 that the Lotto Act was enacted for the running of lotto in Malta. Since then the Lotto Game has attracted an ever increasing number of participants. With 70% of the adult population participating in the game (participation is particularly high in the over 40 age segment), lotto is by far the most popular game of chance in Malta.
The Lotto Regulations were published on October 31, 1922. As the Maltese were already accustomed to the Italian lotto, this form of wagering was used as a yardstick. In his book "Il guoco del Loto: Profilo Storice dalle Origine ai Nostro Giorni," P. Torre traced the origins of lotto to Genoa in circa 1576. In those days it was the custom to elect from the one hundred and twenty "most pious and meritorious citizens", five members who would sit on the Councils responsible for the economic and political affairs of the Republic. The five members or 'padri' (fathers) were selected by lots – so as to avoid any claims of nepotism. It became a custom in Genoa to wager on the outcome of the draw. Bets were accepted on the first name drawn (the 'primo estratto'), two names drawn ('ambo') and on the three names drawn ('terno'). With the passage of time the 120 were reduced to 90. Thus the format of the Italian lotto was brought about. This format was absorbed by the Maltese and included in the Lotto Regulations of 1922.
The first Lotto Draw took place at the Granaries in Floriana on February 10, 1923. The numbers drawn that day were 86–53– 72–41–6. Since then lotto draws have been held uninterruptedly every week. Not even enemy action during the last world war stopped the lotto game from keeping its weekly appointment. Transport was organized for lotto receivers to enable them to return their ticket books to the Lotto Department on the day of the draw. Ironically, the decrease in the supply of goods and services during the war meant more disposable income, which was left to be spent on lotto. No wonder that the war years were characterized by a significant increase in lotto sales.
Soon after the war the Lotto Department was set up. The first director was John Mifsud, an entrepreneur of great drive and initiative. In 1948 he introduced the Malta National Lottery. The popularity of the National Lottery soon spread to overseas markets. So popular was the game and so heavy the outflow of funds to Malta that countries like Nigeria and Ghana started to organize their own lotteries. Maltese help was sought and officials were sent in 1957 to Nigeria and in 1960 to Ghana. William Brennan who was also Director of Lotto in Malta headed the Ghanian lottery organization during its initial years.
Apart from the National Lottery and Saturday Lotto, the Department of Public Lotto also organizes a Bingo game and a 5 out of 39 numbers game known as the Super Five. A percentage of sales from the Super Five is used to sponsor sport associations. The 'Presto' Instant Lottery has recently been introduced and has proved to be very popular.
However, Lotto remains the major activity of the Lotto Department. The computerization project completely revamped the lotto system. All 190 lotto offices in Malta and Gozo are now equipped with computer terminals and on-line transmission from Gozo has proved successful.
Since it was set up, the Department of Public Lotto has sought to improve the products, which it offers. It was achieved while maintaining a balance between the two primary objectives: protecting the public and generating revenue for government. With the changes currently underway in Europe the Department should examine the possibilities offered by the pan-European lotto and lottery projects organized by European Lotteries. Without doubt the experience and reputation gained during seventy years of operation places the local organization on strong ground for such initiatives in the future.
The Authorities have approved the following policy towards internet betting companies operating from Malta:
(a) betting companies establishing a processing operation (back office) can only do so under an International Trading Company (ITC) which would be subject to tax at a rate of 35% on its chargeable income. However, on distribution of dividends non-resident shareholders would be able to claim certain refunds amounting to 30.83% out of the 35% tax paid by the company. This means that only an effective rate of tax of 4.17% is applicable. Companies carrying out a processing operation would not require a license to operate unless the contract for the bet is carried out in Malta;
(b) betting companies not requiring a license will be asked to make a voluntary contribution to the arts or charity of their choice;
(c) betting companies establishing a call center to receive bets together with a processing operation (back office) can only do so under an ITC (see above) but would also require a license. Betting against computer generated games such as cyber casinos on the internet will not be allowed but the internet may be used as a communication medium (email) to the call center. Maltese residents are prohibited from placing bets with licensed companies;
(d) a license will be issued under Section 11 of the Public Lotto Ordinance. However, it will be ascertained in the future whether a license will be issued through an amendment to the Gaming Act or through a new Act;
(h) companies intending to establish a betting company to operate from Malta are requested to forward to the Malta Financial Services Center (MFSC):
After carrying out an appropriate due diligence on the company the MFSC will forward the information to the appropriate authority for deliberations on the issue of the license.
(i) companies issued with a license will be expected to operate within the regulations in force at the time. Regulations for betting operations are currently being drawn up.
Policy and legal guidelines were laid out in LN 34/2000 issue in virtue of the Public Lotto Ordinance and regulating the operation of betting offices. Malta's Finance Minister John Dalli addressed on April 3rd, 2002, a conference during which he outlines Malta's position in the e-commerce and eleisure industries and the infrastructure set up to cater for the growing sector: " The objectives of our regulatory regime for online betting were simple. We wanted a simple non-bureaucratic process which however still provided us with the comfort of serious screening of applicants and an effective regulation."
"We have so far only allowed particular types of online betting, concentrating on attracting sport book operations and not allowing types of activities such as spread betting."
"It is now time to take this development further. We shall imminently set up a new Lotteries and Gaming Authority which will, for the first time in our country, be a onestop regulatory centre for this sector, both for land-based and for online operations. We have enacted a new all-encompassing law and which provides for the regulation of land-based and online activities some of which now take place in Malta without a proper legal and regulatory framework."
"The new Authority has tough tasks facing it. And these are not only regulatory. They are also economic. Like all regulators it should not simply have a policing function but also the function of an economic regulator, fostering activity in the sector, and facilitating the general thrust of entrepreneurship, gradually opening up new sectors of activity."
So, new legislation is on its way. However hereunder information on the still acting legislation.
The Gaming Act (Chapter 400), dates from Act X of 1998 has been amended by Act XXIV of 2001, came in power on December 7th, 2001.
This Gaming Act is on granting licenses by the Authority, which means the Lotteries and Gaming Authority established under article 9 of the Lotteries and Other Games Act.
The functions of the Authority shall be:
The casino licensee shall pay to the Authority on behalf of the Government the following rates of taxation:
Table Games:
Gaming Machines:
The Lotteries and other Gaming Act regulates lotteries and other games and gaming operations in Malta, and for the setting up of a Lotteries and Gaming Authority, and for any other purposes connected therewith including the amendment and consolidation of existing laws relating thereto.
Act XXIV of 2001:
Any game which is not an authorised game, or which is not authorised to be operated under any law in Malta other than this Act and regulations made thereunder, is prohibited from being played by any person in Malta.
Without prejudice to the provisions of article 78(2)(g), no authorised game may be organised on the results of games operated by the holder of a casino licence issued under the Gaming Act in terms of such licence or by a licensee under this Act in terms of his licence, or on the results of any game which is lawfully organized outside Malta, without the prior approval in writing of the Authority.
Any game which is not an authorised game, or which is not authorised to be operated under any law in Malta other than this Act and regulations made thereunder, or which is not a game which is operated by the holder of a permit granted under regulations made under article 78(3) in terms of such permit, is prohibited from being operated, promoted or sold by any person in Malta.
It shall be an offence against this Act for any person to operate, promote, sell, or participate in, or in any way to aid or abet the operation, promotion or sale of a game in contravention of articles 3 or 4; or operate, promote or sell or in any way to aid or abet the operation, promotion or sale of a game.
No person shall import, manufacture, maintain or supply any relevant gaming device unless such person is in possession of a valid licence to this effect issued by the Authority or unless such person is exempted from such licensing requirement in respect of such relevant gaming device in terms of regulations made under this Act.
An application for a licence to import, manufacture maintain or supply a relevant gaming device shall be made in such form and manner required by the Authority or as prescribed by regulations, and in granting such licence the Authority may subject it to such conditions as it may deem appropriate or as may be prescribed by regulations.
There shall be a body, to be known as the Lotteries and Gaming Authority, which shall consist of a Chairman and four other members.
The Chairman and the other members of the Authority shall be appointed by the Minister for a term, being not more than three years.
An international trading company (ITC) is defined in section 2 of the Income Tax Act, as a company registered in Malta which is engaged solely in carrying on trading activities, from Malta but not in Malta, with persons who are not resident in Malta and which has its objects expressly limited to such trading activities as well as to such acts and activities as are necessary for the conduct of its operations from Malta. This type of company may also engage in:
An ITC is therefore a normal onshore Maltese company having its status recognised only for tax purposes.
International Holding Companies
The Maltese tax system does not have a specific "international holding company" regime. However, a Maltese holding company may qualify to hold a "participating holding" in an overseas company. A "participating holding" can take various forms. Primarily, a "participating holding" means a holding of at least 10% of the equity shares of a company not resident in Malta. If the shareholding percentage is less than 10%, its shareholding still qualifies as a participating holding, provided that:
Website: www.sunderlands.co.uk
Sunderlands Credit & Rail Bookmakers is a credit betting service offering a range of betting opportunities on Horse Racing, Football, Golf, Cricket, American Football and various other sports. Sunderlands was established in 1946 by Pat Densham after he had served with the R.A.F. Coastal Command during the war flying Sunderlands planes. Therefore the company was named after this plane which is also the Sunderlands logo.
Business commenced May 1st, 1946, as Starting Price Bookmakers in a small office with a small number of staff. Things have prospered since then, with the acquisition of smaller businesses along the way, larger premises were required and in January 1988, after more than 40 years in the West End, the company moved to larger offices in Croydon. Expansion has continued, in 1992 Sunderlands acquired the business of Guntrips, London's oldest established Bookmaker, and in 1998 the Laurie Wallis Organisation. These mergers made Sunderlands one of the largest independent Bookmakers in the UK.
Pat Densham is now the senior Bookmaker on the Racecourse Members Rails where he still represents the Sunderlands. His son, Martin, is Managing Director and controls the credit office.
Website: www.stanleybet.com
Stanley Leisure plc's is a global tax-free Internet betting service and is quoted on the London Stock Exchange. Stanley Leisure plc are the owners of Stanley Racing Ltd, one of the leading bookmaking chains in the UK and Ireland. Stanley Leisure plc also owns the world-renowned Crockford's Club as well as Stanley Casinos Ltd, who operate one of the largest casino chains in the UK.
Stanley Leisure plc was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1986, with a value of £12 million. In June, 2002, the groups market valuation stands at over £200 million with a turnover of over £550 million and employs more than 5,800 people worldwide.
Betting products are a range of UK, European and International football betting together with an array of other sports betting opportunities.
Stanley Leisure has revealed plans to build the UK's biggest casino at Star City, Birmingham with 40 gaming tables. The new casino will be opened in the summer of 2003 and will employ more than 200 staff.
Website: www.willhill.com
William Hill, named after Mr. William Hill, is one of the world's famous online (sports)betting companies providing betting services world wide. Founded in England in 1934, William Hill has over 65 years' experience of offering betting services via the phone and, more recently, via the Internet, WAP-enabled mobile phones, Digital TV and PDA's.
William Hill betting headquarters are located in London's West End and currently they operate over 1,500 licensed betting offices in the UK and employ 10,000 people. In addition, William Hill has over 300,000 telephone clients worldwide.
William Hill offers all major sports odds, including NFL, College Football, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Golf, Cricket, Horse Racing, Ice Hockey, Motor Racing, Soccer (English and European Leagues), Rugby Union, etc. Playing for a Single, or an Accumulator, a Parlay or an Exotic bet. William Hill runs also an online casino www.williamhillcasino.com, which is well known by its strong Casino Affiliate Programme. Affiliates earn affiliate fees of 20% of the net revenue.
Website: www.ladbrokes.gi
Ladbrokes and www.ladbrokescasino.com. License: Bookmaking/Casino. Ladbrokes.com is part of Ladbrokes Limited, the betting and gaming division of Hilton Group plc, the international hotel brand (New York Stock Exchange, Stock Quote (HLT).
Conrad Hilton purchased his first hotel in Cisco, Texas back in 1919. The first hotel to carry the Hilton name was built in Dallas in 1925. In 1943, Hilton became the first "coast-to-coast" hotel chain in the United States; and in 1949, opened its first hotel outside the U.S. in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Hilton went on the New York Stock Exchange in 1946, and Conrad Hilton purchased the Waldorf Astoria in 1949.
Hilton Group plc is a major international Company with two operating divisions. Hilton International, which carries the hotel brand, and Ladbrokes, 'the world's number one name in bookmaking'.
The group was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1967 with an initial market value of just under GBP 1 million. Today, Hilton Group is one of the largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange and a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. It has a market value of approximately GBP 4 billion, a turnover of around GBP 4 billion and employs more than 55,000 people worldwide.
Hilton Group's Betting and Gaming Division is one of the world's largest gaming providers with operations in the UK, Ireland, Belgium, the Middle East, South Africa, USA and Latin America.
The origins of the Ladbrokes names are to be found in the village of Ladbroke in the county of Warwickshire, England. It was here over 100 years ago that a local trainer of race horses and his friend set up in partnership as commission agents, initially to place, and subsequently to take bets on horse races. Today they operate more than 2,000 betting shops in the UK and Ireland and are market leaders in the UK. They are also a market leader in Belgium with 474 betting outlets operated under the Ladbroke Sportworld and Tiercé Ladbroke banners.
Ladbrokes International operates tax-free telephone and internet (www.ladbrokes.com) betting services in Gibraltar, following its establishment there in 1993.
Ladbrokes, the betting and gaming arm of Hilton Group plc, is the world's leading bookmaker, employing over 12,000 people in its international retail, telephone and eGaming operations and it is at the forefront of a fast-growth GBP 7 billion UK industry that is making strong progress in the burgeoning global market. The company is ideally placed to take advantage of the recent introduction of tax-free betting in the UK on October 6th, 2001.
Ladbrokes' estate of over 2,500 high street and on-course outlets in the UK, Ireland and Belgium, together with betting facilities at 46 of the UK's top football stadia is the biggest retail presence of any bookmaker in the world.
Ladbrokes announced a two year GBP 40 million investment programme to ensure that its stores continue to set the pace in instore design and technology. Designhouse is responsible for the new concept store. The store, which cost GBP 500,000 to design and build, includes terminals enabling customer s to check the latest sports news or bet over the Internet, as well gambling on virtual horse races. The new stores will incorporate wood flooring and modern stainless steel and glass designs, as well as the latest plasma screens and interactive touch-screen betting terminals. Ladbrokes is also trialling in-store coffee shops – utilising Hilton's Café Cino brand. The stores will employ a fully trained barrista serving a wide range of coffee blends and Italian style snacks.
The only bookmaker to have advanced electronic point of sale (EPOS) systems throughout its retail estate, Ladbrokes is able to employ unique 'Easybet' lottery style betting slips on major events and to offer market leading levels of service and speed of payout. State of the art multi-lingual telebetting call-centres in London and Liverpool serve customers with instant betting on all the latest sporting action, as well as a comprehensive range of events from presidential elections to the Eurovision song contest and Miss World.
Since launching its internet service www.ladbrokes.com in February 2000, Ladbrokes has secured over 200,000 registrations. The site passed the million pound a week turnover barrier within a year of launch and is already achieving operating profit, well ahead of schedule. Offering multi-currency betting in English, Spanish, Italian, Thai and Cantonese the site attracts over one-third of its turnover from abroad with key markets including the Far East, Italy, Spain and Scandinavia. The majority of online turnover is derived from football with English Premiership, Champions League and Italian Serie A the most popular leagues for betting.
Ladbrokes.com offers a wide range of betting and gaming opportunities including an exclusive numbers game 'balls' – the world's first 'every minute' numbers draw. It also offers the highest payout of any scheduled numbers type game – up to a 95.8% theoretical payout. Irish lottery, pools betting and a range of pay to play Fantasy Leagues are also available.
Ladbrokes is the only leading bookmaker to offer an integrated online casino. Ladbrokescasino.com offers instant access to 38 games including nine varieties of Poker, Keno and 19 different slot machines includ ing progressive slots offering large prizes. A more extensive 51 game downloadable version of the Casino is also available which includes blackjack, multi-hand blackjack, power poker, roulette, baccarat and craps.
In interactive television Ladbrokes was the first company to launch a betting via inter active TV during 2000 and has established interactive betting services on ITV Digital, Telewest and NTL- all of which are experiencing rapid growth.
Hilton Group also owns the Vernons football pools business which is one of the two major participants in this market and is the market leader in standing entry football coupons. 'Footballpools12x' is the essential guide to playing the British and Australian Football Pools all on one site. Playing The Pools Online, one can play Vernons Pools via the Ladbrokes website and Littlewoods Pools through their Bet247 site. One can also play Zetters Pools online.
The Malta authorities have informed the Novamedia European Gaming and Lottery Files that Firststake sportsbetting hold still a Maltese sportsbetting license. However due to financial difficulties the Firststake.com website is no longer active. Sportingbet.com (UK) plc took over the responsibilities and honoured the Firststake funds and bets. Sportingbet.com acquired therefore Firststake players base. The Novamedia European Gaming and Lottery Files could not get confirmed that Sportingbet.com also took over Firststake's sportsbetting license in Malta.
Sportingbet.com is a tax-free, publicly traded company on AIM, part of the London Stock Exchange with its British gaming licence in Alderney, Channel Islands. They have over 60,000 customers from over 100 countries and have been trading since 1998.
Website: www.luv.bet.com
O'Halloran Bookmakers is an established bookmaking firm originally based in Youghal, Co. Cork, Ireland and now based in Sliema, Malta. luvbet.com is its virtual betting shop.
Betting products:
Website: www.paddypower.com
Paddy Power is Ireland's largest bookmaker. Paddy Power plc., is listed on both the London and Irish Stock Exchanges. In 2000, Paddy Power Plc, before known as Power Leisure Plc., reported turnover in excess of £360 million.
Paddy Power has five distribution channels:
4.9 Wembley Plc
Website: www.wembley.co.uk
Wembley Plc is a leading track-based gaming company operating in the UK and USA. Activities in the UK include the operation of the Wembley Arena, Wembley Conference Centre Exhibition Halls.
The company's objective is to generate enhanced returns for it's shareholders by grow ing businesses organically and where appropriate, through acquisition. Wembley Plc delivered record profits in 2001 and a 37% rise in earnings per share (March 4th, 2002).
Wesbite: www.unibet.com
Unibet is part of an international group whose parent company is Unibet Group Plc in the UK. One objective of the Group is to be a listed a company on the London Stock Exchange, in due course. The Group is controlled by more than 80 shareholders resident in mainly the UK, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands; Deloitte & Touche are the appointed auditors of the Group. The subsidiary Unibet (London) Ltd was granted a licence in the UK in 1998 to run a betting operation. This was followed in the year of 2000 by the subsidiary Unibet (International) Ltd, which was granted a licence to run a betting operation in Malta.
For the Financial Year of 2001 the Group had a turnover exceeding 50 million GBP. For the Financial year of 2002 the forecast for the Group indicates a turnover exceeding 100 million GBP.
The services of the Group are offered in 12 different languages, to more than 100.000 clients residing in more than 70 countries throughout the world. To manage swift and secure payments to and from those clients, the Group is affiliated to a payment solution system, where one of the major banks in the UK, NatWest, is the key partner. In addition to this, the payment solutions system includes a large number of local domestic, well recognised banks, in more than 25 countries.
Website: www.gcsports.com
Grand Central Sports (GCS) offers Online Sports Betting, Casino Gambling, Online Poker and Horse Racing. One can bet on a football game, play a hand of blackjack, play poker, throw dice in their crap game, bet the ponies, etc. Site languages:10.
GCS has an exclusive operating agreement with JAZZ (Casino and Sportsbook).
Websites: www.betthe.net
International Allsports was established in July 1995 by Australia's well known bookmaker, Mark Read, bringing to the Company over 30 years of know how in the Australian thoroughbred racing industry and an extensive thoroughbred racing database and performance rating system continuously updated over the last 20 years.
The Company located in the Northern Territory which at the time offered the most favorable political and tax environment for the establishment of an international corporate bookmaker. The Company traded as Darwin All Sports Pty. Ltd. until July 1999 when the Company was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange as International All Sports Limited. The initial float (IPO) was extensively oversubscribed.
Since that time IASbet International Limited (the new name of International All Sports) has established itself in the international gaming and wagering market as a well known provider of high quality and competitive gaming and wagering products and technologies. The Company continues to grow its business through expansion in both the Australian and international market place, focusing primarily on racing and sports betting. The Company has a staff of almost 100 with major offices located in Darwin and Melbourne.
Since its listing, the business of the Company has grown substantially from $197 million turnover in the year ended 30 June 2001 to approximately $325 million to 30 June 2002. The Company has established a Business Plan to continue its growth, both in Australia and overseas. The Plan outlines the mechanisms to be used for the growth of the company's business, in particular, through the internet.
A wagering areas are:
Group of Companies:
Website: ebets.eurofootball.bg
Eurofootball is a book-making house and holds a 10-year license for organizing sportsbetting. The license was awarded, according to the Information of Eurofootball, in July 1999 by the State gambling Committee. The first drawing of Eurofootball started on 21st August 1993. At present the company organizes draws on seven games, and in each game everyone can participate only with the specified form for the game issued by the company. For eight years since its establishment the bookmaking shops offering the games have increased from 30 to up to almost 400 distributed in 15 regions. Together with the traditional championships of England, Germany, Italy, Spain the programs include also matches from the championships of France, Holland, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, Turkey, Belgium, Denmark, etc. The Jackpot and Super Jackpot funds of multi-thousands of Lev (1 Bulgarian Lev = 0.51178 US Dollar) are an additional attraction for the participants. Eurofootball issues the weekly specialized newspaper "Eurofootball" and the books "Your Success Systems" and "Football Programs" for the information service of the games and the programs. "Eurofootball" newspaper is issued on Mondays with and average edition of 70 000 copies and is presented at the entire book-making network. Over 500 systems for abbreviated inscription at the Eurofootball games are included in the book "Your Success Systems".
Eurofootball has a Malta operating license, however there website is still under construction.
The Government of Malta, through the Privatization Unit, an enabling organization which falls under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance, intended from mid May, 2001 to proceed with the privatization of the management of their Public Lotto and lotteries in Malta. By virtue of a Request for Proposals, the Privatization Unit seeked for applications from consortia, companies and other corporate bodies for a license to operate on their own account all lotto, lotteries and other games of chance forming part of the National Lottery for a term of seven years.
The Privatization Unit aimed to select through a competitive bidding process an operator of experience and repute who will undertake to develop and improve the portfolio of games presently forming part of the National Lottery. Besides building up on existing games and introducing new game types and concepts, the selected operator would be expected to upgrade the existing lottery infrastructure and also provide players with new and innovative forms of access to games, based on the application of modern technology. The Request for Proposals for the National Lottery license was issued on May 15, 2001 and the closing date for submissions was planned for August 13, 2001. The selection of the successful applicant was anticipated to be finalized by October 2001.
Final offers came from First Lottery Consortium, comprising the Alpine Group and Scandinavian company EssNet; Maltco Consortium, comprising Mizzi Organisation and Greek company Intralot and Wignalot Consortium comprising the Tumas and Gasan Groups along with US company GTech. Until now no selection of the three consortia has been taken place. And the planned timing of the privatised re-start of the Maltese National Lotto, January 1st, 2001, has not been met.
Now a tentative new date for the privatisation of the Lotto Department has been set for the beginning of January 2003, Finance Minister John Dalli told parliament in July, 2002.
In the meantime the old style National Lottery is still operating, however its website www.maltalotteries.com is 'off the air'. The lottery products are:
On the Islands there are only 2 racetracks. The Marsa Race Track is situated at Marsa in Malta and is the most popular. The other one, not so popular, is at Xewkija in Gozo.
Before 1981 the Marsa Racetrack was one of the longest tracks in Europe measuring an impressive 2600 metres. In 1981 the track was rebuilt as a 1000 meter track after severe floods destroyed most of it. In 1996 the track was renewed and is now up to a very good standard. Special events were held at this Racetrack twice: the European Apprentice Drivers Championships and in 1998 The European Professional Drivers Championship. Race distances vary from 1640 meters and 3200 meters.
The racing season starts in October and ends in June. Approximately 700 trotters take part in about 500 races held in between 50 and 60 meetings.
Sicilians visiting Malta are mainly coming to gamble. On the Italian Sicilian island with its 5 million inhabitants there are no casinos. The nearest casino is in the north of Italy in Venezia or in San Remo.