The Government expects to earn $2 billion ($300 million USD) from various taxes on casino-style gambling in Trinidad and Tobago, with the passage of the Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Bill 2021 in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

This is what Minister of Public Administration Senator Allyson West told Newsday hours later. West is a former minister in the Ministry of Finance, an attorney and a tax specialist.

The bill was also passed in the Senate on Monday. The House passed the bill without amendment with 21 votes “for”, none “against” and 15 abstentions by Opposition MPs.

Opposition whip David Lee said he agreed the gaming sector needed regulating but the Opposition would not support “bad law.” He vowed, “It will be tested in court.”