A senior Magistrate at a court in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago has granted an operating licence to the Golden Entertainment Private Member’s Club ‘MovieTown’ in Mucurapo. Renewal applications for three other licences, which had been on hold because of the legal dispute, were also granted. Prime Minister Patrick Manning has proposed stopping the operation of slot machines, which presently function at Private Members’ Clubs although casinos are illegal.

In summing up, Judge Lianne Lee Kim said that in spite of the words of Mr Manning in his budget speech and the objections from the Association of Members’ Clubs and others, she could only work within the law. As chairman of the Licensing Committee she made the decision to grant the licence because the present legislative requirements had been met. The fact that the government will bring in legislation against such licences was not pertinent to the present application. Mr Manning and the Finance Minister have declared that under present rules gambling brings addiction, a lack of responsible gambling, proliferation of gambling and money laundering.

In a protest involving club owners and casino workers the Prime Minister was told that if he had any information about money laundering then he should give it to the police. In October last year the Prime Minister said the government will stand firm against casinos and casino-type establishments, and that the local gaming industry would be restructured. A ban on the importation and use of slot machines is likely to be introduced. (E-06.15.07)

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