As with GST, casinos are being forced into our society against the will of many – in the “Anguilla Gaming Act 2023” cited in the Gaming Policy recently shared with the public. They commissioned a 2019 study and have since projected ~$4.4 Million of “Gaming Revenue Tax” in 2024, and the same for 2025. All concerned about gambling have been sold out for yet another tax. This, in spite of exceeding their annual GST target by tens of millions in just 6 months before forcing it on the People last year.1
Gaming Policy: Risking It All to Take All
Here are Policy highlights for anyone otherwise trying to put food on the table, while our government can’t wait to tax “table” and “machine” gaming.2
The Introduction says they are “desirous of creating a luxury gaming environment that limits competition locally via a regulated gaming industry …[to] attract high gaming-budget customers; facilitating maximum tax benefits as gaming operators maximize revenues.”
Would “high gaming-budget customers” be happy to know they’re targets for “maximum tax benefits” while Anguillian “gaming operators maximize revenues”?
Our tax-addicted government is counting on “an annual levy of 15% gaming taxes on Gross Gaming Revenue. Winners of a gaming activity are to pay 15% of the winnings.” Notably, “a supply of game of chance” was exempted from GST. Was 13% not enough for the tax-addicted government?
As for risks, it also says they want to: “provide positive economic impacts without severely affecting the current tourism product.” One supposes treating customers as jokers might only affect tourism a little. Not to mention many loyal visitors who have chosen Anguilla because it is free of “touristy” elements like casinos, unlike other islands.
Letting the Genie Out of the Bottle
“Policy Position 1” says ”…this Policy supports the development of ‘no more than two stand-alone brick-and-mortar casino gaming locations’ equipped with both table games, electronic gaming machines, food and beverage outlets” as well as “additional non-gaming amenities…” Hmm. Like what?
And, “two…casino gaming locations” sounds like a start, soon to be amended and expanded, much like the GST legislation, or as they say, a genie out of the bottle.
Aptly, the expression of “letting the genie out of the bottle” to describe “that which has been done [that] cannot be undone” has its roots in Middle Eastern folklore.3 So. Was the obsession with this obsessive vice driven by dreams of attracting the uber-wealthy from that region to relieve them of their wealth?
The Policy language also suggests many casinos. Examples include, “…gaming environment … industry… clubs … each license… a developer of a casino…” If only two casinos were intended, the Policy would logically describe “the” casinos, licenses, developers – not “an industry” or “environment.”
These will also be operated “on a registration and membership basis only, unequivocally restricting ‘walk in’ customers.” However… “Such registration and approval should not be discriminatory or unreasonably withheld or delayed.” That is, unless discriminating against our own People? While most may not wish to be “walk-ins” – we might wonder why our country should promote what is intended only for some, but not the rest of us.
Avoiding “Proximity” in Anguilla?
More suggestions of many, not just two, lie in reassurances for our island of 35 square miles, whereby: “There will be no gaming developments established within close proximity of the capital*, sensitive buildings such as schools or churches…[with design and locations] to be approved by…Physical Planning…” Sounds like gaming in lots of places in our country about the size of Manhattan, yet seemingly without zoning of any kind! At least one church with such a challenge comes to mind.
Training, Counseling – and Pamphlets!
The Policy also states “a developer of a casino is to ensure that the necessary training and licenses are obtained…[and must] promote responsible gaming and prevent gaming abuse with — guest education …counseling programs for persons affected by problem gaming… [and ensure] the display on the licensed premises of an adequate supply of pamphlets for public reference and use, providing information regarding the phenomenon of compulsive or problem gaming.”
So. If a “high gaming-budget customer” twice the age of most employees is compulsively betting, say, more than the employees earn all year, how can they be “trained” to “educate” and suggest “counseling” when their job depends on ensuring a “luxury” experience? And, if such customers insist they want to keep gambling, would that training course include how to elegantly tuck a pamphlet under their chips, so they can read it when the last one is gone?
Well Regulated: Like Our Banks?
Of course, they want us to believe the “industry” would be well regulated, “Gaming legislation to be referred to as the Anguilla Gaming Act 2023…will prescribe a clear regulatory framework and the introduction of an oversight body…” One can only wonder how that “oversight body” would compare to the benchmark set by the ones responsible for our long-lost banks!
Bosses Can’t Bet
Yet again, the Policy asserts assurances, whereby, “No person who is in any way concerned with the management, supervision, control or administration of the holder of an operator license or any gaming conducted at such business will participate in gaming at such business or at any other gaming business.”
Interesting. It is widely published that the new head of the overseas territories “enjoys gambling” and “won ?53,000 in a televised card game” and has “had a financial stake in the Mayfair-based bookmakers Fitzdares.” 4 It might be embarrassing to have to tell him he can’t play in our “luxury” establishments – or “at any other gaming business” he ultimately “controls” in this British Overseas Territory.
The Tax-addicted Government Needs an Intervention
Reasoned leaders must recognize the signs of addiction and demand a path to financial independence to sustainably grow our economy, instead of our government. And they need to start by repealing GST, so People can put food on their tables, instead of targeting “registered members” for “maximum tax benefits” at casino tables in Anguilla.
Repeal GST – and kill this bill. Now.
This article reflects cultural and economic issues raised on July 5, 2021, at the House Select Committee on GST Public Hearing. 1Government of Anguilla Budget, 2022 and 2023; 2Gaming policy draft Cons. Review; 3https://grammarist.com/idiom/the-genie-is-out-of-the-bottle/; 4https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zac_Goldsmith#Family_and_personal_life. *Tax-addicted Policy authors may not know the difference between the capitol and capital, since one is the place they get the other whenever they want to impose more taxes on the People.
