Gov’t fulfils pledge to tackle spread of gambling; new law presented in National Assembly

The government on Monday moved to fulfil a pledge to religious and community groups to tackle the growing problem of gambling in communities across the country, tabling a Gaming Bill in Parliament that seeks to tighten regulation of the rapidly expanding industry. The proposed law comes after months of warnings from the government that the spread of betting shops and mobile gambling applications has fuelled addiction, financial hardship and family breakdown. The bill delivers on a commitment made by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in October last year, when he announced sweeping reforms after saying gambling had evolved from a tightly controlled activity linked to the hotel sector into “gambling on demand” through hundreds of outlets and smartphone applications. Jagdeo said the widespread availability of gambling had become a major social problem, particularly affecting vulnerable families, and promised tougher regulation and higher taxation to discourage excessive gambling. Religious organisations had also raised concerns with the government, urging action. The bill was presented in the National Assembly by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall. It will return to Parliament at a later sitting and is expected to be sent to a Special Select Committee for refinement.