IN his freshman budget speech, Minister of Finance Dave Tancoo made a strong statement about the Government's commitment to tackling underground gambling and crack down on illegal lottery operations in particular -- a move that is undoubtedly commendable and necessary to curb a growing issue in our society.
However, while the focus on underground gambling is important, there is another equally concerning issue that is flourishing in plain sight -- the unregulated gaming machines springing up across the nation and targeting our youth by encouraging a gambling addiction in their formative years.
Over the past three years, claw machines and other arcade-style chance machines have become particularly pervasive in malls and shopping centres across the nation, as they have quietly evolved into sophisticated gambling gateways.
These machines have been growing across the country at an alarming rate, often drawing in young people with their brightly coloured prizes and flashy designs. The allure of winning a toy or other trinket may seem harmless at first, but in reality, these machines are subtly teaching children and teenagers the principles of gambling.
The mechanics of claw machines are simple, but they are engineered to be highly addictive as children attempt to win a prize; but the odds are intentionally stacked against them, often making the machine difficult to win. This repeated sense of loss and failure can trigger frustration, leading individuals to try again and again in hopes of finally hitting the jackpot, and any small win, which is rare, only serves to further reinforce the addictive nature of the game.
But claw machines are not the only issue, as there has also been a growing number of gaming machines that pay out cash rewards, functioning much like slot machines, but with somehow even worse odds.
These machines allow people to wager small amounts of money for a reward of a cash jackpot, while completely bypassing the rules that govern other forms of gambling, like those in casinos or bars; and, as such, these machines pose a significant risk, both financially and socially, as they lack the safeguards and regulations that are typically in place to protect consumers in regulated gaming establishments.
If the Government is truly serious about cracking down on illegal gambling, therefore, the time has come for these machines to be regulated in the same way as gaming systems found in bars and casinos. There is no reason why claw machines, cash payout machines, and similar devices should be treated any differently from the games that already fall under the purview of the gaming commission.
Not only are these machines taking in large sums of money, but they are also having a serious impact on young people's attitudes toward gambling, and if they are left unchecked, they will continue to feed into a cycle of addiction that could affect future generations.
Regulating these machines is not just about controlling the flow of money. It is also about protecting the mental and emotional well-being of young people in Trinidad and Tobago. Gambling addiction is a serious issue that can have long-lasting effects on individuals, families, and society as a whole, and this is why there are laws preventing minors from entering into casinos and gaming houses.
By extending regulatory oversight to these machines, the Government can take proactive steps to curb the rise of gambling addiction among youth and ensure gaming remains a safe and regulated activity.
In doing so, we can protect the next generation from the harmful effects of addiction and ensure that our society is not seduced by the false promises of easy money and instant gratification that often lead to financial hardship and ruin in the long run.
Ravi Balgobin Maharaj