Mega bookmakers William Hill, together with other casino and poker operators which include Intercasino, Littlewoods, Playboy Casino and Virgin Games are expected to be granted a license by the Lotteries and Gaming Authority to operator from the islands.

The move by William Hill to Malta from the Dutch Antilles in the Caribbean was spurred by new legislation in the United Kingdom which will enter in force on September 1st. These amendments prohibit advertising unless the company is based within the European Economic Area or is otherwise included on a Government White List which currently only comprises Malta, the Isle of Man and Alderney. The application by the Dutch Antilles for inclusion on the United Kingdom’s White List has been declined, whereas the British Government is still considering the inclusion of Kahwanke and Antigua.

A decline by the UK Government for inclusion of Kahwanke and Antigua on the white list may stimulate a further exodus of remote gaming operators to Malta, which Lotteries and Gaming Authority CEO Mario Galea has this week described as “becoming the natural hub of igaming”. Malta’s inclusion on the white list by the UK Government constitutes a further reassurance of the legal and operational status of remote gaming in Malta.

24.8.2007