LAW BODY QUESTIONS WHETHER CASINOS BREAKING THE LAW

In its recent report, the LRC gives its suggestions as how to regulate certain controversial aspects of human conduct.

On sexuality, the LRC said that in light of increasing complaints of stalking and harassment, it has produced a Working Paper on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace.

Saying it was a very sensitive topic, the report said, "The paper favours mediation rather than legislation and suggests that guidelines be issued to both employers and employees which would assists in modifying behavioural patterns."

On gambling, the LRC questioned whether casino gambling was properly regulated in this country.

The report said that private members’ clubs were exceeding the level of gambling they were allowed to run under the Registration of Clubs Act and the Gambling and Betting Act. "The practice has developed whereby the operation of these clubs goes beyond what is contemplated in the statutes, and allows casino gambling in clear violation of the law."

The LRC said our existing laws do not cater for the growth and the technological advances that have occurred locally in gambling. "We have concluded that a strong regulatory framework will be required to keep gambling crime-free and prevent those negative aspects which can taint the industry."

The LRC said a specialist committee should be appointed to assess the future of gambling locally, and should consider several key issues.

The first issue is the introduction to Trinidad and Tobago of "large scale resort casinos," for which the LRC has already compiled a draft report and draft legislation.

The second issue is whether members’ clubs should operate under the two existing laws which govern gambling locally or whether these laws should be amended to allow casino-style gambling.

The third issue is the suggestion by the National Lotteries Control Board for "the conversion of all existing slot machines to video-lottery terminals which will be connected to a central processing system controlled by the NLCB." The NLCB also wants members’ clubs and casinos to be taxed as a percentage of the net machine income.

The fourth issue is whether or not to allow in this country Internet gambling.

The fifth issue is whether to expand the regulatory role of the NLCB, including regulating Internet gambling.

The sixth issue is "mechanisms which can be put in place to deal with the negative effect of gambling."

On prison reform, the Law Reform Commission has considered the 2002 Report of a Task Force on Prison Reform. As a result the LRC has updated the 1838 Prison Rules.

"The amendments are aimed at eliminating obsolete provisions which are no longer in keeping with the reality of prison management in the 21st century, and generally modernising the rules." The LRC added that its draft rules would be finalised after comment from the Commissioner of Prisons.

On human rights, the LRC has done a working paper and gave its conclusions.

"Consideration should be given to the drafting of a Human Rights Act to give effect to human rights provisions as they exist in the Constitution."

Equal opportunity should be available to all, said the LRC, without any discrimination on the basis of "race, nationality, ethnicity, colour, religion, age, sex, marital status, family status, or disability." The LRC was established by the Law Reform Act 1969 to review the laws of Trinidad and Tobago, including simplifying, modifying or repealing existing laws, and to draft new legislation.