Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE MCT3001

 
TITLE Gaming Law

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Media, Communications & Technology Law

 
DESCRIPTION This unit deals with the regulation of games which can be played in Malta. It studies the functions, powers and duties of the regulator in this field, the Lotteries and Gaming Authority, the role of officers and employees of the Authority, the history of gaming and some basic facts about the rules of the most popular games, an introduction to the legislation in force in Malta (an overview of the three main Acts and the underlying Regulations), the regulation of casinos in Malta, the regulation of the national lottery and other games licensed by the Authority, non-profit games, commercial tombola games in bingo halls, commercial communication games, broadcasting media games, gaming devices, amusement machines, remote gaming, the approval of racecourses and racing clubs as well as the appointment of Racecourse Control Boards, provision of money for gaming, racecourse bets and sweepstakes as well as the provisions of other laws ancillary to the above such as the Racecourse Betting Ordinance, Chapter 78 of the Laws of Malta, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Chapter 373 of the Laws of Malta, and the Prevention of Corruption (Players) Act, Chapter 263 of the Laws of Malta. Where possible, this subject will be studied from a comparative angle especially in relation to the regulation of gaming by other European Union Member States.

Study-unit Aims

This study-unit aims to acquaint the student with the laws which regulate gaming in Malta. It will also inform the student of the case law which has emerged in this field as well as the discussion which has emerged at EU level with regard to the regulation of gaming. The pertinent regulatory structures and their powers are duties are also explained to the student following this study-unit.

Learning Outcomes

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

(a) name and list all Maltese gaming laws;
(b) restate the main provisions of Maltese gaming laws;
(c) discuss the case law related to gaming law.

2. Skills:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

(a) evaluate the provisions of Maltese gaming law;
(b) differentiate between Maltese gaming law and foreign gaming law;
(c) write upon how Maltese gaming law has been interpreted by case law.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings

Government Lotteries Act, Chapter 292 of the Laws of Malta
Gaming Act, Chapter 400 of the Laws of Malta
Lotteries and Other Games Act, Chapter 438 of the Laws of Malta
Public Lotto Ordinance, Chapter 70 of the Laws of Malta
Gaming Act Regulations, LN 193 of 1998
Remote Gaming Regulations, LN 176 of 2004
Commercial Tombola (Bingo) Regulations, LN 20 of 2006

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Students taking this study-unit need to have a background in law.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM1 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Joseph F Borg (Co-ord.)
Olga Caruana Finkel
Robert Zammit

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit