Registered guests will be able to gamble in Crystal Serenity's casino when she berths in Malta this June
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Crystal Cruises has become the first cruise line to gain approval from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) to operate the casino onboard one of its ships while it is berthed in Malta.
The licence has been granted by the MGA under its new Cruise Casino Regulations, which were published in April 2015 to allow cruise companies to open their onboard casinos for registered passengers while berthing overnight in Malta, Gozo or its territorial waters.
According to the approval, Crystal Serenity’s casino can be open between 6.00pm and 6.00am while she is berthed in Malta from 5-6 June. This will enable guests to play games of Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, 3 Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em and Mini-Baccarat, and use the slot and video poker machines.
“Valletta Cruise Port welcomes this first application, following our instigation to introduce this legislation,” said Stephen Xuereb, CEO of Valetta Port. “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.”
Malta hopes that the new regulations will encourage more cruise operators to berth overnight in Malta, Gozo and its territorial waters.
“The authority is committed to safeguard both the interests of passengers onboard cruise ships, as well as those of the Maltese gaming industry,” said Joseph Cuschieri, MGA’s executive chairman. “The regulations issued by the MGA mean that cruise ships will be able to operate their casinos in-line with the stipulated conditions while berthed within Maltese territorial waters.”