The casino industry in Trinidad and Tobago is bracing itself for next Monday’s Budget. Yesterday, President of the Association of Members’ Clubs (AMC) Brian Phillips, said that he was not optimistic about the upcoming presentation, but called on Government to stick by promises it made to the workers of the casino industry, if it does indeed go ahead with plans to shut the industry down.

Local casino workers are blaming their foreign colleagues for bringing the industry back into the Government’s focus. Brian Phillip, president of the Association of Members Clubs (AMC) of Trinidad and Tobago, said concerns over illegal and immoral activity in local casinos and members clubs have come as a result of an influx of foreigners entering the industry.

In a last ditch effort to save the casino industry, Movie Towne owner, Derek Chin, has submitted a report to the Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Conrad Enill, designed to counter what he calls the knee-jerk “emotional” backlash against the industry on the part of Prime Minister Patrick Manning, detailing ways in which the industry could be made to benefit the economy.

An Application for a members’ club licence for a new gaming facility at MovieTowne, lodged since December 2006, has triggered a slew of objections from an association of local members’ clubs, who are claiming a moral high ground as the casino industry positions itself for survival after repeated threats by Prime Minister Patrick Manning to shut the industry down. The application hearing will come up for hearing once more today in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court with the last witness expected to take the stand.