| TCI Groups Oppose Casino Gambling |
By BBC Caribbean
July 17, 2007
........................................................................................................................................ |
| Groups in the Turks and Caicos Islands have criticised a proposed change to the law which would pave the way for locals to gamble in casinos. |
Opposition and church leaders say they are worried about the effect the change will have on local life.
Premier Michael Misick said his government intends to remove gambling restrictions on islanders, by allowing residents earning at least $50,000 per year, to become members of casinos. |
 |
| Turks and Caicos Islanders are allowed to gamble slot machines in bars and restaurants, but are barred from playing the same machines in casinos. |
| There are two casinos in the British territory -- Players club, opened almost a year ago, and Casablanca, which began operating last month. |
| They are both located on the main resort island of Providenciales and nestled in tourist areas. |
| Church leaders have spoken about the proposal, arguing that its passage could have negative repercussions on family life and lead to an increase in crime on the relatively peaceful chain of islands. |
| Last week religious activists, armed with placards bearing anti-gambling slogans, marched on the Premier's Providenciales office. |
| On both occasions, Mr Misick was said to be out of the territory. |
| "Gambling is addictive, and when someone who has a house to take care of, go to those gambling house to play those machines, they could end up losing everything, " said the president of the Providenciales Ministers Fellowship, Pedro Williams. |
The president of the Turks and Caicos Islands Baptist Union, Derek Hamilton, said relaxation of the law could foster increased crime.
He said: "Just like drugs, gambling is dangerous. When one loses all his money and needs to get by, the strong possibility is that, he could resort to |
 |
| stealing, and so, we could start to see robberies increase, as well as other dangerous crimes." |
| The opposition People's Democratic Movement, is also opposed to the move. |
| Leader Floyd Seymour told BBC Caribbean: "We've see the effect that wholesale casino gambling has had on areas like Atlantic city, New Jersey and Las Vegas.". |
| The bill is expected to be debated 1 Aug in the House of Assembly, where it is likely to have an easy passage as the government controls 15 of the 18 seats. |
|
 |
| latest news |
|
|
| |
|
