Gamblers say tax will push them back to illegal games

UPDATE:

SEVERAL Lotto Plus players who yesterday lined up outside booths in Port of Spain with the hope of winning Saturday’s $17.5 million jackpot, say government’s intention to tax winnings will encourage people to return to illegal gambling games.
As of next Monday, the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) will impose a ten per cent tax on cash winnings. A 56-year-old Lotto Plus player, who only gave his name as John, told Newsday as far as he could remember, since the NLCB introduced the game years ago, they intended to tax the winnings.

He said it is his hope and dream to win the Lotto this weekend and he is willing to give some of the money to churches to help those in need. But none to the government.
“With the side bankers it is $34 to one dollar and it is tax free. I have a very big problem with this new tax on the Lotto Jackpot and the rest of the games. It is craziness.
“If I win the Lotto come next week Wednesday and after that, I would now have to give the government a portion of it? Nah man, that ent right,” he said.

Another player who did not want to be identified said government should give the public a better reason why taxes should be paid on NLCB winnings. “The government is trying all how to make money on people who are trying everyday to make money.

“You wait and see, people are fed up with all these taxes and the government needs to hear the calls of the citizens. It is everything they want to put taxes on so? It is getting ridiculous now.” He said the taxation on the games was unfair because the games are a way for low-budget income families to have a chance of winning a lump sum of money to have a better life.

Tracy Smith, a mother of two, said she only plays the game when the jackpot is high and found the tax to be unfair. However, Kyle from Diego Martin said he did not have a problem with the tax. “In this way the country can generate some revenue in the long run.”

ORIGINAL STORY:

THE cry of several Lotto Plus players who lined up outside booths to buy Lotto tickets in Port of Spain today was, "This government will drive people to go back to illegal gambling in TT."

As of July 30, there will be a ten per cent tax on cash winnings from the National Lotteries Control Board.

A 56-year-old gamer who only gave his name as John, told Newsday as far as he could remember, since the government legalised the game years ago they intended to tax the winnings.

He said it is his hope and dream to win the Lotto this weekend, and is willing to give some of the money to churches to help those in need, but not the government.

“With the side bankers it is $34 to one dollar and it is tax free. I have a very big problem with this new tax on the Lotto jackpot and the rest of the games. It is craziness. If I win the Lotto on Saturday night I would now have to give the government more than a million in taxes."