No more gambling

THE EDITOR: Dear Honourable Prime Minister, Grace and peace be unto you. In your last term you introduced Lotto and legalised Whe Whe, which is now Play Whe.

These games, deliberately placed in supermarkets and pharmacies have ruined many family lives, even many God fearing ones. We have seen the result in the rising crime statistics over the eight year period since the introduction. The biggest beneficiary has been the foreign company who was granted the online gaming licence. Their assistance in the destruction of our Christian values is very foreign. They have been allowed to make hundreds of millions of dollars in this small country.

Now in your second term we understand you are about to allow this same company to widen their net and pull our children into their clutches by being allowed to bring online slot machines which will be placed in every community. The bright lights of these machines will attract our children and cause them to lose their futures. We urge you to follow true Christian values that you deliver no new gambling. We know you share our moral values. We pray that you really care. Yours in true love of God.

BISHOP DR CLAUDE ARTHUR
President Christian Council Against New Gambling (CCANG)
123 Henry Street
Port-of-Spain