Trinidad and Tobago situated in the southern part of the Caribbean Sea close to the coast of Venezuela became an independent state in 1962. Recently, the trend of sports betting has became more popular. Starting from cricket to football, basketball to racing, the sporting culture is quite active and so is the betting industry. In this blog post, we will look at sports betting platform in Trinidad and Tobago, what the law says, the bodies that regulate it, and the best betting sites in Trinidad and Tobago to use in the country.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
The History of Gambling Laws in Trinidad and Tobago
The history of gambling laws in Trinidad and Tobago is important to know to be able to understand today’s situation.
- 1963: This was done by the provisions of the Gambling and Betting Act of that clipped the liberty to operate casinos and gaming machines.
- 2007: The Finance Bill continued the ban to slot machines which affected the private casino clubs.
- 2013: The Finance Minister Larry Howai proposed legalisation to control social ills and boost revenues.
- 2021: The Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Act also established what is known as the Gambling Control Commission, which act as the government body tasked to supervise gambling.
Regulatory of Betting Sites in Trinidad and Tobago
In Trinidad and Tobago, there are several authorities that regulate the processes of gambling and its compliance with the law.
Gambling Control Commission (GCC):
- Operationalized under the Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Act NO. 8 of 2021.
- Regulates the activities of the gambling business, which is associated with the prevention of fraud and corruption.
- Prevents and investigates cases of corruption and money laundering activities.
Prohibited and Permitted Bets
The laws of Trinidad and Tobago have well described the types of the bets that are legal and the ones that are outlawed.
- Prohibited Bets:
- Unlicensed online gambling activities.
- Slot machines (since 2007).
- Permitted Bets:
- Sports betting through legal channels, that is, through licensed bookmakers.
- The other is the introduction of casino games in private member clubs which could only be done so, after further legal changes.
Gambling Licenses and Fees of in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago has rules and regulation that must be followed to acquire a gambling license and the amount of money that is required to be paid.
License Types:
- Gambling and Betting activities Licence.
- Gaming Machine Manufacture Licence.
Fees and Taxes:
- Black Jack table fee: $120,000 was the amount stated.
- Caribbean Stud Poker table fee: The other amount was one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
- Slot machine fee: $24,000.
- Criminal penalty for unlicensed operations: It is $5 million and five years in prison.
Best Betting Sites in Trinidad and Tobago
Below are some of the best betting sites in Trinidad and Tobago that are good and have easy to use interfaces.
Dafabet:
Up To £130 + £5 Free Bets
1xBet:
Up To £100
Betwinner:
Up To £100
Milestone Events in Trinidad and Tobago Sports
Trinidad and Tobago have always been a great place for major sports events.
- 2007 Cricket World Cup: Together with other nations of the Caribbean.
- 2006 FIFA World Cup: National team of Trinidad and Tobago qualified, this was historic as they are the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup.
- 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Well organised by the country.
Sports Star Glory
Some of the famous athletes of Trinidad and Tobago include:
- Brian Lara: A cricketing great and hall of famer.
- Ato Boldon: Track & field swimmer and Olympic gold medalist, four times.
- Keshorn Walcott: Able bodied; he is an Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw.
Neighboring Countries’ Gambling Laws
It is also important to know the measures taken by other countries that are neighboring to the country in question in regulating gambling.
Barbados:
- Gambling is allowed with the provision of well set rules and regulations in place
- National Lottery Authority has the responsibility of supervising the operations
Jamaica:
- Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) as the supervising body.
- Stringent anti-money laundering measures
Guyana:
- The Gaming Authority controls the gambling business
- Recent changes that have been made to incorporate the online betting regulations
Conclusion
Sport betting is a popular form of gambling as well as an exciting way to make a quick buck especially in Trinidad and Tobago. Given the fact that there is a long history of sports in the country and more and more popular and reliable web-sites for betting appear, everyone can try this exciting activity. Nevertheless, it is recommended to follow the legal requirements to avoid any negative consequences and have a good time.
FAQ of Betting Sites in Trinidad and Tobago
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