Imbert: Casinos vulnerable to criminals

Imbert made this observation as he opened debate on the Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Bill, 2016 in the House of Representatives.

Quoting from a recent report from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), Imbert said, “We are not compliant with FATF (Financial Action Task Force) requirements with respect to regulation and supervision of private members’ clubs which operate as casinos.” The minister said CFATF also noted that in TT there is no adequate anti-money laundering or anti-terrorist financing regime for the supervision of these clubs. He explained this meant, “there is no measure in place which prevents criminals or their associates from holding key positions in a private members club.” Imbert said this point is further reinforced by a report done in July by Gaming Laboratories International which indicates that in this country there is, “no transparency into the operations of casinos.” He told MPs that Government engaged the services of the New Jersey, USA-based company in May.

Indicating the bill is the same one brought by the former People’s Partnership (PP) government which lapsed when Parliament was dissolved last June ahead of last September’s general election, Imbert said amendments to certain pieces of legislation have caused gambling to explode in TT.

He said TT’s gaming industry is considered to be the most unregulated in the Western Hemisphere.

Imbert stated there are at least 200 clubs conducting casino style activities and 20,000 amusement gaming machines operating in 4,000 bars and recreational clubs in TT. He also said the industry employs 7,000 persons directly and has an annual turnover of approximately $12 billion.

Speaking later in the debate, Attorney General Faris Al Rawi caused a stir when he remarked that while Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal was housing minister, “know criminals turned up to perform HDC (Housing Development Corporation) contracts.” When Moonilal objected, Al-Rawi said he was talking from a factual statement.

“There is nothing wrong with that construction.

I did not say the Honourable Member put them there,” the AG replied.

“Was it (Energy Minister) Mr Franklin Khan’s wife? Was it Mr Imbert’s wife?” countered Moonilal. Imbert objected and demanded Moonilal withdraw that statement. Upon the insistence of Deputy Speaker Esmond Forde, Moonilal said, “I withdraw the question.

No problem.” Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has publicly claimed that government ministers’ wives have been recipients of HDC contracts under the Dr Keith Rowley Administration.

Imbert and Bolt (a company in which his wife Suzanne is a director) have initiated legal action against the Trinidad Express on this issue.

The Finance Minister has also said he intends to take legal action against Persad- Bissessar as well.

Al Rawi explained that under the Constitution, House Standing Orders and Mays Parliamentary Practice, parliamentarians take ownership for what they say and do not need to produce evidence.

“I take ownership of those statements,” the AG declared. Referring to an electronic article from 2013 which Imbert directed him to, Al Rawi said the individual he was referring to was “the infamous Spanish” and it was reported that Moonilal met that person while he was acting prime minister. Going back to the Bill, Al Rawi said he hoped the Opposition would join Government in aiming a dagger, “at the heart of criminality.”