Trinidad and Tobago Targets Illegal Gambling with Harsher Penalties
With the illegal lottery market in Trinidad and Tobago estimated at TTD 9 billion annually – three times larger than the regulated sector – the government is stepping up its fight against offshore gambling. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has announced a series of tougher sanctions aimed at protecting state revenue and reinforcing the authority of the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB).
Government Moves to Curb Illegal Lottery Operations
In a recent budget statement, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo addressed the substantial challenge posed by illegal lotteries, which he estimates generate an astounding TTD9 billion annually. This figure starkly contrasts with the nearly TTD3 billion in annual Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) contributed by the legal National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB).
Tancoo noted that these illegal lotteries, which facilitate bets and payouts on the NLCB’s legal games through third parties, “continue to impair the NLCB’s profit margins.”
Stronger Fines and Prison Sentences Proposed
Under the proposed amendments, Section 19 of the Gambling and Betting Act would be updated to significantly raise existing sanctions. The revised law would impose a fine of TTD 250,000 and a three-year prison sentence for summary offences. For more serious convictions on indictment, penalties would rise to TTD 3 million and imprisonment for up to seven years.
These changes align with the Gambling (Control and Betting) Act 2021, which was passed but not yet fully enacted. Only parts I, II and X of that legislation have been proclaimed, leaving several enforcement provisions pending. The new penalties are designed to give regulators and law enforcement stronger tools once the Act becomes fully operational.
New Offence to Tackle Emerging Illegal Betting Schemes
Minister Tancoo also drew attention to a newer form of underground betting that mimics legitimate NLCB tickets. Some illegal operators issue receipts resembling those from grocery stores, which reference results from official online lottery draws.
To combat this practice, the government plans to introduce a new criminal offence covering the receipt of bets, issuance of tickets, or payment of winnings derived from NLCB’s online draw results. The proposed offence would carry the same penalties outlined in the amended Section 19.
Under the new framework, NLCB’s evidence of draw results and its list of authorized agents would be accepted as prima facie evidence in legal proceedings. This change would allow police to act more quickly on information provided by the regulator. The law would also broaden the definition of a “ticket” to include any form of receipt resembling those used in grocery or retail settings, closing a loophole exploited by illegal vendors.
Improving Financial Accountability and State Revenue
Beyond the crackdown on illegal gambling, Tancoo addressed the issue of unremitted state revenue. He noted that a lack of consistent audits has allowed the NLCB to retain “tens of millions of dollars” that should have been transferred to the government over the years.
To ensure better transparency and timely revenue flow, the minister proposed that the NLCB make quarterly transfers to the Consolidated Fund – the main government account – instead of annual payments. The agency would also be subject to strict financial limits set by the Ministry of Finance, establishing a fixed budget intended to enhance fiscal discipline and improve efficiency in public-sector fund management.