Trinidad and Tobago Senate Approves Gambling Age Rise from 18 to 25
Trinidad and Tobago Senate approved raising the gambling age from 18 to 25, with cannabis also to 25 and alcohol/tobacco to 21. The bill passed 15-12 despite opposition warnings on offshore migration and enforcement strain. Changes align with online gaming licence rollout targeted for January 1, 2027.
SCCG Take — Higher age limits may complicate compliance for new licensees while the Section 76 reform opens international operations. Enforcement consistency will determine whether the policy achieves intended protections or cedes ground to unregulated sites.
Trinidad and Tobago will raise its minimum legal age for gambling from 18 to 25. The Senate passed the legislation, which also increases the age for cannabis use to 25 and sets alcohol and tobacco purchase and consumption at 21.
The measure secured the backing of all 15 government senators. Twelve senators voted no, including all six opposition People’s National Movement senators and six independents, while three independents abstained.
Opposition Senator Vishnu Dhanpaul warned the higher thresholds could drive young people toward offshore gambling sites and place further strain on law enforcement resources. He stated: “This bill treats adults as children and children as criminals. It sets fines no young person can pay.”
The legislation takes effect in early 2027 after President Christine Kangaloo signs it into law.
Alignment with Online Gambling Framework
The age-limit bill follows passage of a new online gambling legal framework earlier this month, as reported by Focus Gaming News. That framework removes certain provisions under Section 76 of the Gambling, Gaming and Betting Control Act that had criminalized operators offering remote gambling services internationally from within the country.
Attorney General John Jeremie said the remaining administrative steps, including rollout of online gaming licences for local and foreign operators, are scheduled for full implementation on or before January 1, 2027. The Gambling Control Commission of Trinidad and Tobago will coordinate with the Central Bank on digital payment integration and electronic money issuer licensing during the interim.
Enforcement Tension in Dual Policy
Dhanpaul’s objections spotlight the risk that stricter age rules will simply shift activity offshore at the same moment the jurisdiction seeks to formalize remote operations and capture related economic activity. Regulators will need clear verification mechanisms and cross-border cooperation if the twin tracks are to avoid undercutting one another once licences go live.
Reporting: Focus Gaming News
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