A contentious debate has emerged in Trinidad and Tobago regarding bar owners’ resistance to gaming tax enforcement, sparking strong public criticism. Keith Roland, in a recent editorial submission, challenges the prevailing narrative that portrays bar operators as victims of government overreach.
The controversy centers on unregistered gaming machines that have operated extensively throughout TT establishments for years. Roland contends that bar owners have significantly profited from these illegal operations while now demanding public sympathy amid increased regulatory scrutiny. The situation reached a visible point when Guniss Seecharan and members of the Barkeepers and Operators Association (BOATT) gathered at Woodford Square in Port of Spain on December 9 to protest the gaming tax measures.
Roland’s commentary sharply criticizes bar owners for requesting that authorities ‘look away’ from their unlawful activities. He traces the current enforcement climate to previous administrations that allegedly turned a blind eye to certain violations for political reasons, creating an environment where illegality became normalized.
The editorial emphasizes that current enforcement actions represent necessary compliance measures rather than political targeting. Roland maintains that proper governance requires upholding legal standards regardless of protest volumes from affected businesses. He concludes that legitimate bar operations must occur within established legal frameworks, noting that consistent law enforcement is long overdue despite industry objections.