The economy of the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory, is based on tourism, offshore financial services and fishing. With local currency the US dollar, it is hardly surprising that the majority of tourists are from the United States. Today the Turks and Caicos legislature in the House of Assembly is due to debate a proposal that would allow residents to gamble at the Islands’ casinos.

At present islanders are barred entry to the two casinos, Casablanca Casino and The Players Club, both in Providenciales. The government is backing the move in order to increase tax revenue, but with the stipulation that only those islanders earning US$50,000 or more be allowed to gamble. A similar measure proposed in Panama caused uproar on discriminatory grounds and is still being debated in parliament. The average annual income on Turks and Caicos is US10,000.

Opposition to removing the ban has already been voiced by religious groups who last week staged a street protest against ‘promoting vice’. Several other Caribbean countries maintain their casinos only for foreigners. Premier Michael Misick, although in favour of allowing wealthy residents to gamble at the casinos, is quoted as saying that to allow everyone to gamble would threaten the country’s social fabric. (E-07.23.07)

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