Trinidad and Tobago Senate approves gambling age rise to 25

Senators in Trinidad and Tobago have backed a bill that lifts the minimum age for gambling to 25. Under the same measure, alcohol and tobacco purchases and consumption move up to 21, while cannabis use and gambling participation both rise to 25. Every one of the 15 government senators supported it. On the other side, 12 senators opposed the bill and three independents abstained. The law is scheduled to come into force in early 2027, once President Christine Kangaloo has signed it.

Six independent senators joined all six senators from the opposition People's National Movement in forming the dozen votes against the bill. Debate also touched on whether the new restrictions would cover hookah use. Vishnu Dhanpaul, an opposition senator, cautioned that the change might drive young people toward offshore gambling sites and put further strain on law enforcement resources that are already stretched. "This bill treats adults as children and children as criminals. It sets fines no young person can pay," he said.

Earlier this month, Trinidad and Tobago passed a new legal framework for online gambling, and the age-limit approval came after that step. Provisions under Section 76 of the Gambling, Gaming and Betting Control Act that made it a crime for operators to offer remote gambling services internationally from inside the country are removed by the order. Attorney General John Jeremie said the remaining administrative provisions, among them online gaming licences for local and foreign operators, should be fully in place on or before 1 January 2027. In the meantime, the Gambling Control Commission of Trinidad and Tobago (GCC) and the Central Bank will work together to finalise operational frameworks, such as digital payment integration and electronic money issuer licensing.