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, but in practice many casino-style members’ clubs continued to operate.

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. In 2021, Parliament passed the Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Bill to create the Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Commission and a modern licensing regime; the Act is in force but its full proclamation and transition to the new system are still being phased in.