Bar Owners Protest Proposed Gaming Machine Tax Increase

Members of the Barkeepers Owners and Operators Association of Trinidad and Tobago (BOATT) assembled outside the Parliament Building in Port of Spain to express their discontent over a proposed tax hike on gaming machines. The group contends that the increased fees would exert unbearable pressure on already struggling bars. Guniss Seecharan, representing the group, expressed deep disappointment at the proposal, emphasizing the current charges are already overbearing. As it stands, the law mandates $6,000 in taxes for each gaming machine and $120,000 for roulette machines, a burden that strains their finances excessively.