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TRINIDAD TAKES THE LOW ROAD TO PROHIBITION
(614) (6-October-2006)
Moves to ban online gambling announced by prime minister
Reporting from Port-of-Spain on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, Associated
Press said this week that the government intended to follow its recent
executive order ban on land casino slot machines with measures to outlaw
online gambling for island residents.
The socially conservative prime minister Patrick Manning announced the
changes in his budget proposal speech to Parliament on Wednesday, less
than a week after the U.S. Congress passed legislation cracking down on
the financial channels used for Internet gambling by US players.
"Gaming activities are of great concern to the government," he said.
Displaying at least some consistency, Manning also revealed that Trinidad would
discontinue its national lottery. Observers noted that the prime minister commands
majority support in Parliament, assuring passage of the online gambling prohibition.
No timetable was given to eliminate online gaming and the national lottery in
the twin-island country.
Oil-rich Trinidad and Tobago relies less on gambling and tourism than other Caribbean islands.
But land casinos have started to proliferate, with dozens opening on the
islands over the past five years.
Manning also announced a 15 percent tax increase on all tobacco products. Alcohol
produced inside the 15-nation bloc Caribbean Community also will see a 15 percent
tax increase, with taxes rising 30 percent on liquor and beer from outside the
region, he said.
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