Trinidad and Tobago Strengthens Crackdown on Illegal Gambling Activities
Government Intensifies Regulation of Gambling Industry
The government of Trinidad and Tobago is introducing stricter regulations aimed at more effectively overseeing the gambling industry. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to reduce financial losses caused by illegal gambling and to enhance economic transparency. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has revealed comprehensive legislative reforms specifically designed to tackle the growing underground betting market that threatens the official gaming sector.
Illegal Gambling Operations Surpass Legal Market
During the budget speech delivered on October 13, Minister Tancoo highlighted that the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) generates nearly TTD 3 billion (approximately $442 million) each year. However, illegal gambling activities are estimated to be nearly three times larger, with an underground market valued at about TTD 9 billion (around $1.33 billion). This shadow sector mainly consists of traditional “whe whe” games and many unlicensed betting locations, presenting a significant challenge to authorities.
The finance minister emphasized that these illicit operations not only divert crucial revenue from the country’s economy but are frequently associated with serious crimes such as money laundering, unregulated funding, and even human trafficking. What might appear as simple street betting is, in reality, part of a wider criminal network.
These illegal ventures deprive the government of essential income from taxes and reduce earnings from official lottery services.
Davendranath Tancoo, Finance Minister of Trinidad and Tobago
Since its establishment in 2022, the Gambling Control Commission (GCC) has been instrumental in steering players away from unlicensed operators and promoting the authorized gambling sector. The upcoming reforms are expected to empower the GCC with enhanced authority to better regulate licensed operators, safeguard vulnerable players, and work closely with law enforcement agencies to combat gambling-related offenses.
Revised Laws Aim to Combat Common Illegal Practices
The government plans to update the Gambling and Betting Act to address growing regulatory challenges. The proposed changes include stricter penalties and strengthened oversight of both physical and online gambling activities. An important focus is closing loopholes exploited by illegal lotteries, which often mimic official lottery results and produce counterfeit tickets disguised as everyday purchase receipts.
These counterfeit ticket operations will now be explicitly outlawed under the National Lotteries Act, with penalties including fines up to TTD 3 million (about $442,000) and possible imprisonment for up to seven years. The law will apply to all individuals and groups involved in placing bets or paying out winnings based on legitimate lottery outcomes.
The reforms will grant the NLCB expanded powers for enforcement and require the agency to make regular quarterly contributions to a Consolidated Fund, increasing financial scrutiny. Through tougher punishment, improved regulation, and modernized legal frameworks, the government aims to eliminate illegal gambling leakages and rebuild trust in the official gaming industry.
