The republic of Malta is a southern European island that is located in the Mediterranean sea and has a population of around 400,000 people. More than 1.3 million tourists from all over the world travel to Malta each year to enjoy its spectacular beaches, visit its casinos and enjoy the Mediterranean climate. A large number of these tourists visit Malta on cruise ships and spend their vacation holidaying on luxury cruise liners.

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has been petitioned in the past by cruise liners for a gaming license that would allow these cruise ships to offer customers an opportunity of playing aboard a floating casino. The MGA has taken its time to study these requests and analyze the potential market that exists onboard these casino cruise liners.

Crystal Cruises became the first cruise liner to have its casino license approved by the MGA and its award-winning Crystal Serenity cruise liner will now have the option of providing customers the opportunity to gamble onboard. Crystal Serenity is expected to arrive and remain in Malta on the 5th & 6th of June.

The Gollcher Group owns Crystal Cruises and are delighted to be the first cruise liner in Malta to be granted a casino cruise license. Crystal Serenity casinos provide a number of popular casino games such as a roulette, blackjack, mini-baccarat, craps, 3 card poker and ultimate Texas Hold’em. The cruise liner also has a number of video poker and slot machines available for its patrons.

In a statement, Stephen Xuereb, Valletta Cruise Port’s Chief Executive Officer, said “Valletta Cruise Port welcomes this first application, following our instigation to introduce this legislation. This legislation makes Malta a more attractive proposition to cruise liners particularly those cruise liners that opt to call at Malta or Gozo for an overnight stay. This is undoubtedly an incentive to encourage cruise liners to overnight in Malta or Gozo, and include both islands in their Mediterranean itinerary. Valletta Cruise Port has been promoting these regulations, and feedback from other cruise lines has been positive.”

The MGA has put in place a number of regulations to ensure that the Maltese gaming industry and passengers on board these casino cruise ships are protected at all times and there are no loopholes for illegal activity. The MGA along with governmental officials worked out new regulations that would help the Maltese gaming industry to expand and remain within the boundaries of all Maltese law.