Trinbagonian Casino and Card Room Gaming

In Trinidad and Tobago, the Gambling and Betting Act of 1963 outlawed casinos and gaming machines. However, through a loophole in the law, casinos were able to operate as private member clubs.

In June 2007, Parliament debated and passed the Finance Bill 2007, which added slot machines to the list of gambling activities banned by the Gambling and Betting Act of 1963, essentially shutting down the gambling industry.

In August 2007, President George Maxwell Richards signed the legislation into law. In September 2007, the Prime Minister stated that the government has no intention of putting 7,000 casino workers out of work. The eventual closure of the casino industry was slated to span a five-year period in a phased shutdown.

Private casino clubs continue to operate. The government is considering legalizing casinos and creating a gaming commission to regulate them.