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The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) released its first ever Gambling Consumption Survey about gambling trends and activity in Malta. During the course of 2015, the total value of gambling activity in Malta amounted to $139.6 million, or €125 million. This accounts for 2.8% of Malta’s household consumption expenditure. During the year, 195,300 people in Malta wagered on one form of gambling or another. This amounts to more than half of the adult population in Malta. The extensive survey took place between 2015 and 2016 and offers an in-depth perspective of the Maltese gambling market.
Problem Gambling Needs to Be Tackled
The demographic most likely to dabble in real-money gambling activity includes people 45 years of age and older with an education up to secondary level who are no longer active in the workforce. Between 1% and 2% of gamblers reported the ill effects of gambling, although the MGA Gambling Consumption Survey indicates that the majority of problem gambling activity took place in illicit gambling markets. The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) indicated that more government intervention is needed to combat problem gaming in Malta. Responsible gaming remains a priority for the MGA, and further action is required to address these issues.
Setting the Record Straight
The chairman of the MGA, Joseph Cuschieri was pleased with the first-ever scientific survey of gambling in Malta. It debunks many of the myths that currently exist about gambling, as well as the social effects thereof. The extensive survey revealed some interesting facts, notably that 55% of people in Malta have not read a single book in the past 12 months. Of the readers, romance novels are most popular (19.1% of the population), followed by thriller, mystery and horror genres. The survey was conducted by multiple government and NGO agencies, and focused on a sampling of 1500 people. The survey also revealed that 91% of Maltese adults attended a cultural activity within the past 12 months.
