Malta introduces the Amusement Machine Regulations, 2011

The Amusement Machine Regulations came into force on 15th March 2011 (Legal Notice 74 of 2011). The aim behind these Regulations is to empower the LGA to licence and regulate amusement machines.

A Class 1 License shall cover the following activities:
(a) the manufacture or assembling of an amusement machine;
(b) the placing on the market, distribution, supply, sale, granting on lease or transfer of an amusement machine; and
(c) the operation of an amusement machine.

AClass 2 Licence shall cover the hosting by any person, in any premises accessible to the public which is managed, run or otherwise controlled by him, of amusement machines.

These Class 1 & Class 2 licenses shall be granted for a year and are automatically renewable for further periods of one year each.

The Legal Notice tackles the mode of application for such licenses,the information and documentation to be submitted,the fees payable and renewals thereof.

Worthy of note to any operator are the Transitory Provisions in section 22 which provide that:

Any person who, on the date of the coming into force of these regulations, already carries out any of the activities
listed in regulation 3(1), hereinafter also called an "incumbent", shall, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, regulation or authorisation, within a peremptory period of two months from the date of entry into force of these regulations:

(a) apply with the Authority for the relevant licence in terms of the regulations;
(b) where applicable, apply with the Authority for the authorisation referred to in regulation 13; and S.L. 10.36.
(c) pay the registration fees prescribed in these regulations.

The term of two months started running from 15 March 2011 and is worthy of note.