Trinidad and Tobago’s Senate has approved legislation that will raise the legal gambling age from 18 to 25. The bill also increases the minimum age for alcohol and tobacco to 21 and applies the new gambling age threshold to online betting activities.
The measure passed with the backing of all government senators, despite opposition from the People’s National Movement and several independent senators. The legislation is now awaiting presidential assent and is expected to come into force in early 2027.
The proposal led to heavy debate in the Senate, with some lawmakers questioning its practical impact.
Opposition Senator Vishnu Dhanpaul argued that the restrictions could push younger people towards offshore gambling sites and place additional strain on enforcement efforts. “This bill treats adults as children and children as criminals. It sets fines no young person can pay,” according to Focus Gaming News.
New online gambling framework on the way
The age limit changes come as Trinidad and Tobago moves towards a regulated online gambling market.
Earlier this year, the House of Representatives approved legislation that would allow remote gambling operators to be licensed and supervised, marking a major shift from the country’s previous approach.
Before the reform, operators were prohibited from offering remote gambling services internationally and faced heavy penalties for doing so. The new framework aims to bring those activities into the regulated economy instead of leaving them outside government oversight.
Speaking during the parliamentary debate, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo said, “Licensing remote gambling will bring both existing and new operators into the formal economy, ensuring that they contribute taxes.”
The planned system will also place gambling payments under closer supervision. The Central Bank has already started licensing e-money providers and is working on broader payment system reforms, which are expected to cover transactions linked to remote gambling services.
“The Government’s approach to licensing and digital payment issues is that these matters will continue to be regulated by the relevant regulators in Trinidad and Tobago. In this case, the Gambling Gaming and Betting Control Commission and the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago,” Tancoo said at the time.
