Italians blockade Maltese gambling sites.

Since launching three weeks ago, there has been nothing but Italian blockades on the Maltese regulated sites.
Nonetheless, the Italian regulatory body has not confronted the Maltese regulator Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA).
In fact, over eighty percent of the authorities sites are being unilaterally blocked.
 LGA's website is the only form of access to the games. This was also blocked at one point by Italian ISPs. However, the act was reversed once protests were made to the authorities.
According to Mario Galea, the CEO of LGA, he only hoped that the Italian promises to begin discussions would be kept.
If this does not happen , diplomatic action will be sought. This would bring the issue to government level.
Malta has over eighty sites which have been blocked by Italy. This comes as a result of a new law passed since the 2006 budget blocking online gambling sites not licensed in Italy on the basis that Italians needed to be protected from fraud connected to passwords and credit card details.
Daily fines of up to 180 000 Euros could be received by those ISPs not blocking the websites. The ISPs will be fined each time they allow someone to bet on one of the blacklisted websites.  
However, the Malta Gaming Council finds no reason why their websites should be included in the blockade. The blockade continues simply to protect the Italian Government's monopoly on the local industry, which exceeds almost 2 billion Euros a year.
A formal complaint with the European Commission against Italy will probably take place in the near future.
It will be sent in the name of all the Malta Remote Gaming Council (MRGC).
Pressure is also climbing from the British. The Brits have urged the European Commission to halt the blockade.  This case is under review at the Director General. UK companies are already seeking legal advice on the issue.

Nevertheless, LGA has boosted its publicity campaign on Italian media. They have done this to encourage players to visit their website as a way to get around the issue until it is resolved.

Back to Lastest Gambling News
Back to Gambling News Archive
Back to Gambling News - April 2006 Archive