Last Updated on August 1, 2025, 10:33 PM AST by Anthony Morris
Gaming Control (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was passed in the national assembly on July 31, 2025. The bill sought to support the systematic rollout of the National Lotteries Authority (NLA).
The debate for the passing of the bill was led by the Minister of Finance, Dr Terrance Drew. He highlighted that the amendment of this bill is a “technical but necessary refinement”. The amendment is set to improve the Gaming Control Act.
The Prime Minister argued that the bill will help in removing administrative redundancies within the act. This will help to make sure that NLA’s operations are running smoothly and make sure that the practice of the law abidedness of the government is steady.
The amendment of the Gaming Control Bill will not loosening the government oversight on the National Lotteries Authority, PM Drew noted in the assembly. He added that this is only a refinement which helps recognize the distinct statutory regime under which the NLA is operating.
The amendment makes the change that the National Lotteries Authority and the licensed operators working with the NLA do not have to get their license renewed annually. The gaming commission will instead issue a multi year license which will be valid for a longer time for operators who have been associated with NLA for a long time.
The Prime Minister said that the private entities have to undergo strict checks and due diligence every year in order to ascertain they are following all the rules. However, such scrutiny is not important for the National Lotteries Authority as the organization is already governed by strict laws and financial reporting.
The Ministry of Finance already keeps a strict watch on the working of the organization and annual renewal of permits and licensing is redundant in this case. The privately owned organizations need the annual scrutiny however it is not important in the case of the NLA.
The gaming control amendment bill was accompanied by the passage of the National Lotteries Authority Bill, 2025. Under this bill a well a well managed lottery system is established with the aim to make sure that all lottery revenues, which have been estimated at EC$70 million annually every year, remain within the Federation
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
