By Robert Hart, Staff ReporterTHE HOUSE of Representatives yesterday approved massive increases to the fines faced by illegal vendors of games of chance.
The increases, which were facilitated by an amendment to the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act, come on the heels of a recent drop-off in support for the legitimate gaming industry.
But, approval came only after stinging revelations, from Audley Shaw, Opposition Spokesman on Finance, about the inability of Government to maintain adequate injections into state funds benefiting from the beleaguered industry.
Fitz Jackson, State Minister in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, led the debate on The Betting Gaming and Lotteries Amendment Act. The Bill, among other objectives, will introduce increases in fines for offences such as illegal use of premises and failure of a bookmaker to produce a licence.
"This will enable the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) to fulfil its mandate which is to regulate betting activities in the country and to provide for penalties that will cause persons to comply with the provisions of the Act," Mr. Jackson said.
Among the increases noted by the Junior Minister was a shift from $10,000 to $500,000 for persons who obtain a licence by "willful misrepresentation or wrecklessly giving misleading information" on a licence application. Among other penalties outlined were the $200,000 (up from $20,000) fine for the illegal use of premises and the $500,000 (up from $25,000) fine for the bookmaker failing to produce his licence on the order of the BGLC or a police constable.
"I know we all will appreciate the fact that gaming is a significant source of revenue to the public coffers and therefore it is incumbent upon us to ensure that we can realise all the possible revenues from that industry while at the same time providing a gaming industry that the betting public can have some amount of confidence in," said Jackson.
