“Gambling industry should be part of tourism thrust”

He said the casino business has contributed to a great part of St Maarten’s economy. “They have not made an entire economy. But a great part out of it. We have our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean like Antigua, Barbuda, Bahamas (Atlantis), Puerto Rico, Dominica, St Croix, St Lucia, Curacao, Bonaire and Martinique who have a gaming industry.”

All of the islands understand that it is part and parcel of the tourism industry. It is more than sea and sand.” Cadiz said, “They are major tourist attractions and should form part of the major tourist plan if controlled properly. Casino gambling industry helps Trinidad.”

He made reference to Finance Minister Larry Howai’s intention to have the casinos properly regulated to avoid practices like money laundering, by May 2013. There were plans to introduce a brand new gambling act in two years.

Port-of-Spain South MP Marlene McDonald reminded the House that casinos were “operating and masquerading under the guise of Private Members' Club.” Casinos were registered under the Members Club Act Chapter 31: 01. McDonald made reference to MovieTowne proprietor Derek Chin’s view about $150 million per year being lost due to lack of ineffective monitoring systems.

Opposition leader Dr Keith Rowley said unregulated casino gambling would cause other businesses to feel disadvantaged. He called upon government to accept casinos as an integral part of T&T life and to place greater focus on regulation than taxation.