A Bill proposing sweeping social reforms is set to be presented to Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament, as new Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar delivers on key campaign pledges targeting youth welfare and broader public health objectives.

“As promised by Kamla” the UNC Party is committed to raising the legal drinking age to 21, while gambling and cannabis use would be restricted to those aged 25. The reforms mark a major policy shift, to position Trinidad and Tobago as the strictest Caribbean state on adult activities.

Persad-Bissessar unveiled the measures during her first official address since her general election victory on 28 April, reaffirming the UNC Party’s ambitions and promising “tough decisions” to bring long-term stability and fairness.

The reforms are being bundled into a wider legislative manifest that also includes a review of pension tax laws. The Prime Minister pledged to exempt retirement benefits from taxation for individuals over 60, arguing that taxing pensions after decades of contribution amounts to double taxation and imposes undue strain on seniors with fixed incomes.

“These changes are about fairness, safety, and building a healthier future. You don’t want the next five years to be as terrible as the last ten,” she told supporters during a UNC meeting in Penal.

Cautious Support from Business Community

The proposal has received early backing from three major business chambers, including the Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce (GSFCC), whose president Kiran Singh praised the government’s focus on addiction prevention and urged it to go further by restricting vaping among minors.

Singh downplayed concerns about potential losses to nightlife and gaming industries, stating that the societal benefits would outweigh economic costs, and noted that most youth spending in these sectors is marginal or reliant on borrowed money.

However, Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCIC) president Baldath Maharaj urged greater consultation, warning that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in tourism, hospitality, and entertainment could face setbacks during an already fragile post-pandemic recovery. He recommended a phased implementation strategy, backed by education campaigns and support measures for affected businesses.

The Fyzabad Chamber of Commerce also welcomed the intent but called for a balanced approach, citing concerns that the age increase may inadvertently hurt local businesses that cater to younger demographics. Its president, Anjie Jairam, emphasised the need for evidence-based policymaking and engagement with both the private sector and youth groups.

In Parliament Opposition to Kamla plans, have cautioned that stringent age restrictions—particularly if applied to nightlife, casinos, and recreational venues—could deter western visitors, opting for neighbouring Caribbean destinations perceived as more permissive

Unfinished Oversight of Gambling

While the government seeks to raise the legal gambling age, Trinidad and Tobago has yet to fully implement its 2021 Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Act. Though passed and partially proclaimed, the Act’s full regulatory framework including licensing, inspections, and enforcement remains inactive, in need of a final proclamation.

The law would establish a dedicated Gambling Control Commission to oversee five casino venues and 80 gambling/betting establishments (public and private) operating in Trinidad and Tobago

In parallel, the Financial Intelligence Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (FIUTT) has stepped up enforcement in the gambling sector to combat money laundering and financial crime. In 2024, it held multiple stakeholder engagement sessions and public consultations, and collaborated with the EU Global Facility on AML/CFT to align the sector with international standards.

The FIUTT has become a key actor in bridging the regulatory vacuum while the 2021 Act awaits full implementation, with increased scrutiny on unregulated gambling environments and risk-based supervision.

The proposed social reform Bill is expected to be introduced in Parliament in the upcoming session, yet the new government has made no statement on the proclamation of the Gambling Control Act.

Celton Manx, the parent company of SBOTOP, has been hit with a £3,937,500 penalty from the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC) for anti-money laundering (AML) failures.

The GSC found that the company lacked evidence of proper risk assessments, ongoing customer monitoring, enhanced due diligence and sufficient identity verification procedures, as well as falling short when it comes to handling suspicious activity.

The regulator noted that the original penalty was £5,625.000, however, it was discounted by 30% after the company undertook “comprehensive remediation” to address the identified issues.

A GSC statement read: “The Commission is satisfied that the imposition of the Civil Penalty on Celton Manx reflects the serious nature of the identified non-compliance and the issues and risks identified.

“It was further noted that Celton Manx acknowledged the serious shortcomings in its operational and governance arrangements at an early stage of the Commission’s investigation and thereupon had entered into settlement discussions with the Commission and sought to resolve matters expeditiously.”

TGP Europe exits the UK

Celton Manx held an Isle of Man licence from August 2008 until surrendering it on 9 May 2025, a decision that was part of a wider exit of the UK by the Isle of Man-based TGP Europe.

Prior to its departure, TGP Europe operated SBOTOP in the UK via a white label agreement with Celton Manx, as well as operated the UK domain names of several Asia-focused brands, such as DEBET.

However, the platforms associated with TGP Europe ceased their UK operations after the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) uncovered significant AML failures by TGP. The company was handed a £3m penalty by the UKGC following its investigation.

John Pierce, UKGC Head of Enforcement, commented at the time of TGP’s exit: “This case involves a gambling company that was unwilling or unable to meet the regulatory standards we expect from our licensees. It is right that they have now exited the British market.

“Following TGP’s exit, several online gambling operators can no longer lawfully offer gambling facilities to consumers located in Great Britain. These sites, previously operating under TGP’s licence, may not provide adequate protection against criminal activity or gambling-related harm and should not be available to GB consumers with immediate effect.”

Criminal infiltration

Financial crime is an ongoing concern for the Isle of Man given its established financial sector and links to the UK, and it is often the destination for operators seeking regulatory approval.

However, media reports claim that the crown dependency has been subject to attacks by criminals to bypass its controls against financial crime and immigration.

As a result, the Isle of Man’s government has warned that there is “limited appetite” for iGaming businesses with links to East or Southeast Asia.

This sentiment was revealed upon the publication of Digital Isle of Man’s National Risk Appetite Statement (NRAS), a document that seeks to outline the attitude towards new and current iGaming business relationships on the island and identify risk factors.

Although entities are not expressly prohibited from engaging with what are considered higher-risk jurisdictions, they must implement enhanced measures to manage the risks effectively.

In addition, if there is an accumulation of identifiable risk factors, regulators “will not authorise new business, and will review the terms of any existing licences, on the basis of this being outside of the national risk appetite for the Isle of Man”.

According to the report, iGaming contributes 16% of the Isle of Man’s GDP and provides over 1,000 jobs.