TOMBOLA (BINGO) g S.L.70.05 1
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 70.05
TOMBOLA (BINGO) REGULATIONS 
7th November, 2000
LEGAL NOTICE 229 of 2000.
Preliminary
Title.
Regulations.
(2) In respect of those persons or organisations who are not
classified by the Gaming Board to be non-profit organisations and
who during the six months preceding the publication of these
regulations have been permitted to hold tombola sessions of a
commercial nature, the regulations pertaining to commercial
tombola held at a premises designated as a tombola (bingo) hall
shall be deemed to come into force three months after the
publication of these regulations in the Gazette.
Interpretation.
"automatic markering" means that numbers are marked on
electronic scorecard faces without the need for interaction by the
participant. The only input required by the automatic marking
functionality is by means of the calling system;
Cap. 122.
constituted under the Director of Public Lotto (Constitution of
Office) Act and includes any person authorised in writing by the
Director of Public Lotto to act on his behalf;
Cap. 400.
"Gaming Board" or "Board" means the Gaming Board
established under article 5 of the Gaming Act;
Cap. 400.
"inspector" has the same meaning assigned to it in the Gaming
Act;
"non-profit organisation" means any non-profit organisation
domiciled in Malta approved as such by the Gaming Board and
includes religious societies, band clubs, youth movements, cultural
or literary societies, clubs promoting fine arts, sports clubs and
sports associations, charitable societies, philanthropic societies,
political party clubs and political parties, trades union, police
social club and any other society, institution or private person who
promotes and directs a tombola game and the net proceeds thereof
are intended for a religious purpose approved by the competent
local Ecclesiastical Authorities, or for a charitable purpose, or for
the encouragement of fine arts or any other purpose approved in
writing by the Minister responsible for finance in terms of article
11(2) of the Ordinance;
Cap. 70.
"permit holder" means the person or company registered in Malta
to whom a permit has been granted by the Director of Public Lotto
for the holding of a tombola session. In respect of non-profit
2 g S.L.70.05 TOMBOLA (BINGO)
organisations, the secretary of such an organisation is considered to
be the permit holder for the purpose of these regulations;
"snowball" means an optional prize which is won when a house
or bingo is achieved within a pre-set quantity of drawn numbers in
one tombola game and the accumulative (progressive) portion of
that snowball transferred from the prize fund of a tombola game
does not exceed five  per centum  of the value of the total sales of
scoresheets in respect of that same game. A snowball which is not
won or claimed in a tombola game or session has to be carried
forward to the next tombola game or session until the snowball
prize is won;
"tombola" or "tombola game" means a game of chance also
known as "bingo", in which a right to participate is sold to a player
and prizes are awarded, that is:
( a ) played by drawing numbers from one (1) to ninety
(90), both numbers inclusive, and the winning
combinations of which are:
(i) the "line" which is achieved when, during one
game, for the first time all five numbers on one
horizontal row on one scorecard are drawn;
(ii) the "house" or "bingo" which is achieved when,
during one game, for the first time all the fifteen
numbers on one scorecard are drawn; and, or
(iii) the matching on the player’s scorecard of a
previously designated arrangement of numbers
the matching of which is declared as prize
winners prior to the start of the tombola game;
( b ) played with a scorecard or ticket, scoresheet or an
electronic representation thereof, bearing numbers;
( c ) played with the participant covering, marking or
revealing the numbers, as objects similarly numbered
are drawn from a receptacle and orally called; in the
case of electronic representations, the requisite
covering, marking or revealing may be accomplished
electronically to match objects similarly numbered and
stored in memory in advance as winners, or which are
generated randomly by an electronic process;
( d ) won by the player who first covers, marks or reveals a
previously designated arrangement of numbers; and
( e ) other than those tombola games as authorised by law
and for the purpose of any permit granted in respect of
article 11 of the Ordinance, the term "tombola" does
not include a game which is played via television,
telephone, satellite dish or any other
telecommunications transmission or receiving device
on which games are forbidden;
"tombola (bingo) hall" means a premises in respect of which
permission has been granted to a person or company registered in
Malta to hold commercial tombola sessions therein. Any tombola
game or session in respect of which a permission or licence has not
TOMBOLA (BINGO) g S.L.70.05 3
been granted to a non-profit organisation or under any other law,
shall be deemed to be a commercial tombola game or session:
Provided that the playing of a traditional tombola game in
a locality by some neighbours of the same locality, where the right
of participation thereof must not exceed ten cents for each tombola
ticket and for which the total value of prizes in each game of
tombola does not exceed one lira, is exempt from any permission to
hold a tombola session under article 11 of the Ordinance;
"tombola (bingo) session" means a pre-established period of time
during which a number of tombola games are held;
"tombola scorecard or ticket" means the unit of the game of
tombola on which fifteen different numbers are printed and by
which a player participates in a tombola game. These fifteen
numbers are distributed on three horizontal rows with five numbers
on each row and on nine vertical columns, each column comprising
numbers of the same group of ten. On each vertical column there
may be one, two or three numbers, and there cannot be any column
without any number;
"tombola scoresheet or tombola sheet" means a combination of
six scorecards on which all the ninety numbers participating in a
tombola game are printed;
"tombola supervisor" means the person or alternate person who
is designated by the permit holder to supervise all activities, and be
responsible for the conduct of all games of a particular session of a
tombola game. A tombola supervisor shall be designated for every
session of tombola held by a permit holder and must be familiar
with the relative provisions of the Ordinance and of these
regulations.
Tombola operations
Classification of 
tombola 
operations.
3. In granting a permission for the holding of tombola
sessions, the Director shall act on the advice of the Gaming Board
and the Board shall classify the applications into:
( a ) application by a non-profit organisation; and
( b ) application by a company registered in Malta to hold
tombola sessions of a commercial nature in a tombola
(bingo) hall.
Gaming Board
Powers of the 
Gaming Board.
4. (1) It shall be the duty of the Gaming Board to regulate,
control and supervise the operations of tombola sessions organised
by a permit holder whether an operation is organised by a non-
profit organisation or for a commercial purpose in a tombola
(bingo) hall. 
(2) For the purpose of carrying out its duties under these
regulations, the Board may at any time serve a permit holder a
notice requiring him, in such manner and within such reasonable
time as may be specified in the notice, to produce for inspection by
or on behalf of the Board, such books, documents or any other
records, relating to the operations of the tombola gaming, as
specified in the notice, and which the Board may reasonably
4 g S.L.70.05 TOMBOLA (BINGO)
require to carry out its duties. A permit holder or person to whom
such notice is served shall comply with any such notice.
Permission to hold tombola sessions
Non-profit 
organisations.
5. (1) An application by a non-profit organisation for
permission to hold tombola gaming shall include information
regarding the place where, the date and the time during which,
tombola gaming is to be held by the non-profit organisation.
(2) Non-profit organisations granted permission for the
holding of a tombola session shall pay the fifteen liri duty leviable
to the Director, who shall at the end of each financial year refund to
the respective organisation any duty collected in respect of
exempted special instances in accordance with the provisions of
article   11(2) of the Ordinance.
(3) The granting of a permission to a non-profit organisation
shall be subject to the following conditions and any other condition
which the Director, after consultation with the Gaming Board, may
from time to time deem expedient:
( a ) the price for each scoresheet of six scorecards used in
a tombola game held by a non-profit organisation shall
not exceed thirty cents for each tombola scoresheet;
( b ) not less than sixty  per centum  of the amount collected
in sales of scoresheets in respect of each tombola game
is distributed in prizes in respect of that same game
provided that the total value of prize money in respect
of each tombola game or a number of tombola games,
as the case may be, may be reduced to fifty-five  per
centum  and the other five  per centum  is allocated to
the snowball;
( c ) a statement showing the number of scoresheets sold,
the denomination of each sheet, the amount of money
collected in sales in respect of each tombola game held
in a session and the method of distribution of the
amount due as prizes is kept by the permit holder or
tombola supervisor for inspection by the Gaming
Board inspector and, or, any other person authorised
and, or, designated for this purpose by the Board;
( d ) the tombola session, which cannot exceed the period
of six hours, is held within the official premises of the
non-profit organisation permitted to hold the tombola
session or if so authorised at any other place
authorised by the Gaming Board; and
( e ) non-profit organisations permitted to hold tombola
sessions may not hold such tombola sessions in
tombola (bingo) halls in respect of which permission
has been granted to hold commercial tombola gaming.
Commercial 
tombola.
6. Commercial tombola shall be held at a premises designated
as a tombola (bingo) hall and wherein sessions of tombola games
may be held. The duration of a tombola session in a tombola
(bingo) hall is not to exceed six hours, however, more than one
session may be held in each day provided that a break of half an
TOMBOLA (BINGO) g S.L.70.05 5
hour is held between one session and another. The minimum price
to be charged for each scoresheet of six scorecards shall be not less
than thirty cents. The permit holder is to inform the Board of the
price structure of the tickets or any variation thereto at least three
clear days prior to the date on which the proposed price structure or
variation is to be adopted.
Plan and use of 
premises.
7. (1) An application made to the Director, through the
Gaming Board, of premises for permission to hold commercial
tombola sessions at a tombola (bingo) hall shall be made by a
company registered in Malta and shall be accompanied by -
( a ) a certificate of registration of the company in Malta;
( b ) a copy of the memorandum and articles of association
of the company applying for permission to hold
commercial tombola operations in a tombola (bingo)
hall;
( c ) a plan of the premises in respect of which the
application is made;
( d ) evidence that any authorisation, consent or permission
required under any law in respect of the structure, or
use of any premises, which are the subject of such
application, has been granted or that, in the particular
circumstances of the case, no such authorisation,
consent or permission is necessary; and
( e ) the rules and regulations regarding the procedures for
playing the game, the winning combinations, the
elements of the game, the printing, procurement,
distribution, use and sale of the scoresheets, the
apparatus for the drawing of the numbered balls, the
characteristics and the use of the numbered balls, the
selling price of the scoresheet proposed to be applied,
the prizes and their payment, the rules how the game is
played, reimbursements, the registers where records of
the games played are kept and any other measure
which is necessary for the regular playing of the
tombola game.
(2) A premises in respect of which a permission has been
granted for the holding of commercial tombola (bingo) sessions
may be used for the conduct of other authorised operations
provided that the Gaming Board’s approval of such other
operations is obtained beforehand.
Duty leviable on 
commercial 
tombola 
operations.
8. (1) In respect of each tombola (bingo) hall, wherein
commercial tombola sessions are permitted to be held, an annual
duty of three thousand liri covering a twelve month period is
leviable in addition to a gaming duty of twenty  per centum  on the
value of the gross turnover (i.e. value of sale of tombola
scoresheets without the deduction of any expenses of any kind
whatsoever). A permission to hold commercial tombola sessions at
a particular tombola hall is renewable each year on the payment of
the annual duty:
Provided that a seasonal permission covering a continuous
six month period may be granted and the duty leviable thereon shall
6 g S.L.70.05 TOMBOLA (BINGO)
be one thousand and seven hundred liri in addition to the gaming
duty of twenty  per centum  on the value of the gross turnover. Such
permissions will be renewable on the payment of the duty
applicable to seasonal permissions.
(2) The gaming duty of twenty  per centum  on turnover shall be
paid to the Secretary of the Gaming Board, who shall collect such
duty on behalf of the Director. Such gaming duty shall be paid by
the permit holder in respect of each month by not later than the
seventh day of the next following month.
Prizes. 9. (1) In respect of each tombola game not less than sixty  per
centum  of the value of the gross turnover of each tombola game is
to be allotted to prizes in respect of that same tombola game:
Provided that the total value of prize money in respect of
each tombola game or a number of tombola games, as the case may
be, may be reduced to fifty-five  per centum  and the other five  per
centum  is allocated to the snowball.
(2) A statement showing the number of tickets sold, the
denomination of each scoresheet, the amount of money collected in
sales, the prizes distributed and the duty due to Government in
respect of each tombola game is to be kept during the holding of
each tombola session for inspection by the Gaming Board inspector
and, or, any other person authorised and, or, designated for such
purpose by the Gaming Board.
Tombola gaming 
centralised control 
system.
10. (1) A person granted a permission to hold commercial
tombola sessions at a particular tombola (bingo) hall shall -
( a ) ensure that a tombola gaming centralised control
system is in use at the premises and that all tombola
gaming is effected under the system;
( b ) not change an approved centralised control system
without the prior consent of the Board;
( c ) make a submission in writing, prepared at his own cost
and by or with the approval of his auditors (hereinafter
referred to as a "control system submission") to the
Board for approval of the control system -
(i) before the start of operations after the grant of
the permission; and
(ii) before effecting any change to an existing
approved centralised control system.
(2) A control system submission shall describe and, without
prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, shall include
information about the following items to be used in the operation
and conduct of tombola gaming at a tombola (bingo) hall:
( a ) accounting systems and regulations regarding
procedures including the recording of sales in value
and quantity of scoresheets or scorecards sold in
respect of each game of tombola;
( b ) the administrative system and procedure to be adopted
prior, during and at the end of each tombola game and
session;
TOMBOLA (BINGO) g S.L.70.05 7
( c ) the computer software to be used;
( d ) standard forms and terms;
( e ) method of distribution of prizes and verification
procedure relating to the payment of the whole value
in prizes established by these regulations; and
( f ) calculation of duty due in respect of each tombola
game and session.
(3) The Board shall consider the control system submission
and either approve or refuse the proposed control system or the
proposed change thereto.
(4) In considering the control system submission, the Board
may require the permit holder and, or, his auditors who had
prepared and, or approved the control system -
( a ) to provide the Board with further information about
the submission, that is necessary and reasonable, to
assist the Board to make a decision about the
submission; and
( b ) to allow the Board, acting through its inspectors or
agents, to submit the proposed control system, or the
approved control system as proposed to be changed, to
tests.
(5) In considering whether to give an approval, the Board shall
have regard to -
( a ) whether the control system submission satisfies the
requirements of these regulations; and
( b ) whether the proposed control system, or approved
control system as proposed to be changed, is capable
of providing satisfactory and effective control over the
management and conduct of the tombola games
permitted to be held.
(6) The Board may refuse to give an approval if the permit
holder fails to comply with a requirement under any subregulation
of this regulation.
(7) If the Board decides to withhold its approval, a notice in
writing stating the reasons for the decision shall be served on the
permit holder within thirty days and, if the Board is of the opinion
that the control system submission can easily be rectified to enable
it to give an approval, the notice must also -
( a ) explain how the submission may be changed; and
( b ) invite the permit holder to resubmit the submission
after making the appropriate changes.
Control and measures
Accounts and 
records.
11. (1) The permit holder permitted to hold commercial
tombola sessions in a tombola (bingo) hall shall cause to be kept, in
respect to the transactions and affairs relating to the operation of
the tombola gaming, proper accounts and records which show a
true and fair view of the financial operations and affairs conducted
by the permit holder in relation to the operation of the tombola
8 g S.L.70.05 TOMBOLA (BINGO)
gaming. These accounts and records are to be stored in a fireproof
safe or cabinet for a period of at least three years.
(2) The permit holder shall within seven days from the end of
each month refer to the Secretary of the Gaming Board, together
with the twenty  per centum  gaming duty leviable on the gross
turnover, an accounting statement of all tombola gaming
transactions in respect of the previous month including the number
of tickets sold by denomination, the number of sessions held, the
number of games in each session, the prizes paid in respect of each
game, and showing the amount of duty due in respect of that
month’s tombola gaming operations. The Gaming Board may, if it
deems necessary, also request a trading statement, which statement
must be produced by the permit holder to the Board within seven
working days of the request.
Cap. 386.
(3) As soon as practicable but not later than ninety days after
the end of each financial year, the permit holder shall lodge with
the Secretary of the Board a full set of financial statements of the
tombola gaming operations made in accordance with international
accounting standards and audited in accordance with international
standards on auditing and which comply with the provisions of the
Companies Act.
Power of 
inspectors.
12. (1) An inspector and, or, any other person authorised and,
or, designated for this purpose by the Gaming Board, may at any
time upon production of his identity card or relative authorisation
enter and remain in a premises where tombola gaming is being held
for the purpose of - 
( a ) observing the operations of the tombola gaming;
( b ) ascertaining whether the operations of the tombola
gaming are being properly conducted and managed;
( c ) ascertaining whether the conditions imposed in the
permission issued by the Director are being complied
with; and
( d ) in any other respect, exercising his powers or
performing his duties.
(2) An inspector and, or, any other person so authorised and,
or, designated by the Gaming Board may for the purpose of
ascertaining that the conditions imposed by the Director in the
permission are being complied with and that the full amount of tax
under the permission is being paid -
( a ) require, in writing or orally, a permit holder, a person
acting on his behalf or the tombola supervisor -
(i) to produce to the inspector and, or, any other
person so authorised and, or, designated by the
Gaming Board, for inspection such book,
document or record in his custody or control
relating to the operation of the tombola gaming
as the inspector and, or, any person so
authorised and, or, designated by the Gaming
Board specifies; or
(ii) to attend before the inspector at a reasonable
TOMBOLA (BINGO) g S.L.70.05 9
time and place specified by the inspector and
there to answer such questions, to supply such
information, or to produce such book, document
or record, relating to the operation of the
tombola gaming as the inspector specifies;
( b ) inspect or test any equipment, including software, or
inspect such book, document or record, and take
copies of, or make notes in relation to such book,
document or record, relating to the operation of the
tombola gaming as the inspector considers necessary;
( c ) direct the permit holder, the tombola supervisor or the
person in charge of the tombola gaming not to use any
equipment, including software material, that the
inspector considers unsatisfactory for use; and
( d ) call to the inspector’s assistance -
(i) another inspector; or
(ii) a permit holder’s employee who, in the belief of
the inspector, is competent to assist the inspector
in the exercise of his powers or performance of
his duties.
(3) No person employed by a permit holder shall, without
reasonable excuse, hinder or fail to assist an inspector and, or, any
other person so authorised and, or, designated by the Gaming Board
in the discharge of his duties.
(4) Inspectors may, in carrying out their functions under these
regulations, be assisted by or accompanied with such experts as the
Secretary of the Board may direct.
(5) An inspector and, or, any other person so authorised and,
or, designated under these regulations shall make a report on the
exercise of his functions under these regulations to the Secretary of
the Board.
Restrictions, 
suspension or 
withdrawal of 
permission.
13.  It shall be the duty of the Board to advise the Director to
restrict, suspend or withdraw a permission granted under article 11
of the Ordinance if it considers that a permit holder granted
permission to hold tombola sessions -
( a ) has acted in breach of any condition imposed in the
permission or of any provision of these regulations; or
( b ) ceased operations for a continuous period of one
month without the written authority of the Board; or
( c ) if, upon giving sufficient reason, the Board deems it
necessary in the national interest to suspend or
withdraw the permission.
Permission 
rendered null and 
void.
14. A permission to hold tombola games, whether such
permission is granted to a non-profit organisation or to a company
for commercial purposes, shall be considered null and void if -
( a ) the permit holder assigns or transfers the permission to
another person or body corporate, without the prior
approval of the Gaming Board;
10 g S.L.70.05 TOMBOLA (BINGO)
( b ) the transfer of the controlling interests of a company
granted permission to hold tombola sessions in a
tombola (bingo) hall are effected prior to the approval
by the Gaming Board of such transfer of controlling
interests.
Operating hours. 15. (1)  The permit holder of a tombola (bingo) hall shall
submit to the Gaming Board prior to the commencement of tombola
operations, a declaration of the date of commencement of
operations together with the operating times applicable in respect
of each day of the week. Any variation to the operating times of the
tombola (bingo) hall is to be communicated to the Gaming Board at
least three clear working days prior to the day or days in respect of
which a variation in operating times is to be requested.
(2) Non-profit organisations shall inform the Board, in the
application for a permission to hold a tombola session, of the date
and operating times of the tombola session applied for.
Exclusion of 
certain persons.
16. A person shall not be allowed to participate in a tombola
game held in a tombola (bingo) hall if -
( a ) that person is under the age of eighteen years; and
Cap. 400.
( b ) the premises of the tombola (bingo) hall forms part of
a casino complex, where casino gaming is allowed to
be operated in terms of the casino licence, and in
which tombola (bingo) hall such casino gaming is
allowed to take place, the applicable age limit and
prohibitions shall be those laid down in article 26 of
the Gaming Act.
Bank guarantee. 17. (1) Upon the grant of a permission to hold commercial
tombola sessions at a tombola (bingo) hall, and prior to the
commencement of operations, the permit holder shall take out a
bank guarantee, issued by a bank or by a credit or financial
institution licensed in Malta, in favour of the Secretary of the
Gaming Board on behalf of the Director and the Government of
Malta. Such bank guarantee shall be to the amount of ten thousand
liri. It shall become payable to the Secretary of the Gaming Board
on his first demand and it shall not be incumbent upon the relative
bank, credit or financial institution on which the bank guarantee is
drawn to verify whether such demand is justified. The bank
guarantee is to expire on the first anniversary of the expiration of
the validity of the permission to hold tombola sessions in a tombola
(bingo) hall or when the Gaming Board considers that such bank
guarantee is no longer required. 
(2) The permit holder may forfeit such bank guarantee in
favour of the Secretary in any of the following cases:
( a ) upon withdrawal of the permission by the Director
under regulation 13; and
( b ) in settlement of any liability of the permit holder with
respect to the duty leviable on the tombola gaming
operations held by him.
Other permits and, 
or, licences.
18. The grant of a permission to hold tombola sessions does
not exonerate the permit holder from obtaining any other permit or
TOMBOLA (BINGO) g S.L.70.05 11
licence which may be required under any other law or regulation.
