Prime Minister Patrick Manning is again sacrificing the well-being of people in the country to appease his religious beliefs, said local casino workers. Kenroy Phillip, chairman of the Union of Members Clubs and Lottery Workers, said yesterday at a news conference held at Henry St, Port of Spain: "The prime minister is set in his religious beliefs and will not see the gaming industry as an aid to the economy of Trinidad and Tobago."

Concerned casino workers are seeking a meeting with Prime Minister Patrick Manning to once and for all resolve issues relating to the regularisation or proposed elimination of the local gaming and gambling industry. The union representing the workers, Union of Members Clubs and Lottery Workers, said this request comes on the heels of several meetings with Minister in the Ministry of Finance Conrad Enill which they saw as inconclusive.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning has insisted that the gambling industry in the country will be shut down and has assured that the thousands of workers who will be affected, will be given alternative employment. "I guarantee them we are not putting anyone out on the streets, we will close the industry in such a way, there will be training and to ensure that every workers in the industry is given an alternative job," said Manning at a meeting...

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.