“A betting shop has been applied for in a historic palazzo on Senglea’s main road, a location that hundreds of children pass by on their way to school, church or the Legion of Mary premises,” Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar said in a statement today.

“One month ago, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, the Friends of Cottonera Forum and local residents objected to this application at MEPA on the grounds that it contravenes the guidelines as to what commercial outlets are allowed in open conservation areas and due to the fact that it does not enhance the quality of life of residents in this city,” FAA continued.

“Efforts to improve the social fabric of Cottonera are beginning to bear fruit and the future could be a bright one if cultural tourism were to be developed to the benefit of the residents. FAA and the Friends of Cottonera highlight the fact that allowing this application for a gaming room in an old historical building would open the doors to many others and would effectively nullify all the official policies and programmes related to social regeneration and the upgrading of Urban Conservation Areas.”

FAA said, “Gaming rooms are contrary to the promotion of good neighbourliness inherent in the Grand Harbour Local Plan which encourages small-scale retail space in or order to keep our towns and villages alive. The change of use from class 4 shop into a class 9 gambling hall would represent a loss of retail shopping space and thus be contrary to policy GL18 of the area plan for Senglea.”

“Research shows that slot-machine establishments do not target those with disposable incomes but rather those who cannot afford to waste their income.”

“Given that gambling shops cost the Government three times as much in terms of social support structures as the Government earns from the gaming industry and given that many people in the Three Cities depend on income support to survive, this sudden interest in opening so many money-squandering establishments can only suggest that this area is being targeted by this unscrupulous industry to the detriment of the communities as a whole,” FAA said.

“Gambling shops do not create any employment to speak of, and when gambling merely transfers Euros from one pocket to another without creating a tangible product we are made the poorer. The more people gamble to acquire money, the poorer society is and the more social problems are created.”

The NGO concluded that the, “Cospicua mayor has successfully been able to stop 6 applications for gaming rooms in his city. The message is loud and clear that gaming rooms are not welcome in Cospicua. FAA and Friends of Cottoners are disappointed that so far the Senglea Local Council has failed to take an active role in this matter and hope that this Council will be present to protect their community’s interests at MEPA tomorrow.”

Photograph by FAA shows the site of the proposed betting shop in Senglea.

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