Members of the Barkeepers Owners and Operators Association of Trinidad and Tobago (BOATT) staged a demonstration outside the Parliament Building in Port of Spain yesterday, protesting a proposed increase in gaming machine taxes that they say will further strain an already struggling sector.
Guniss Seecharan of Reform Village, Gasparillo, speaking on behalf of the association, said bar owners feel they are being unfairly targeted by the new measures. He stressed that existing gaming machine fees are already difficult for small and medium-sized bar operators to absorb.
“We are very disappointed with the proposed gaming machine taxes,” Seecharan said. “Presently, the law exists where we have to pay $6,000 for one gaming machine and $120,000 for roulette machines. That is already strenuous on our pockets.”
BOATT members argued that the proposed increases would worsen financial pressures on bars still recovering from slow economic activity and pandemic-related losses. They warned that higher operating costs could lead to job cuts, reduced business hours, or the closure of community bars that rely heavily on gaming revenue to stay afloat.
The association is calling on the Government to reconsider the proposed tax measures and engage in further dialogue with stakeholders before finalising any changes.
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