The Solomon Islands, east of Papua New Guinea, may be small but they were at the heart of some of the fiercest WWII fighting – the capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal. Now tourism, particularly diving, is an important service industry for the 992 Solomon Islands. The country’s first casino was established in the ´90s and currently there are two casinos operating, the Honiara Casino and the Club Supreme Casino at the Pacific Casino Hotel, but one of the main political parties wants to reform the Gaming and Lotteries Act.

The Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) has outlined its plans, which include a moratorium on casino licences outside hotels, licensing of indigenous islanders wanting to access casinos and stricter regulation of gambling to reduce social harm, before this year’s National General Elections, The SIDP takes exception to the fact that the Honiara Casino does not operate within a hotel, as required under the Act, and there are no restrictions on entry. There is some concern in the community over underage gambling and drinking, as well as over family breakdown through the casinos being a financial drain on earnings.

SIDP’s General Secretary, John Keniapisia, says that the SIDP would ensure a major overhaul of the system governing gaming and lotteries and believes that improved regulation would reduce social problems associated with gambling. Also he has called for an independent Gaming Committee to be established rather than the Minister of Home Affairs being the sole arbiter of licence approval. (E-06.23.10)

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