Trinidad and Tobago Clears Remote Gambling Route Ahead of 2027 Licensing

Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo signed the order on September 15. The House of Representatives approved it unanimously on September 30, with 33 votes in favor, and the Senate followed on October 2, according to Parliament’s record of the motion.

The order changes a practical restriction in the 2021 Gambling Act. A holder of a valid remote gambling license issued by the Gambling Control Commission will be allowed to conduct remote gambling subject to the Act, regulations and the conditions attached to that license.

Until now, Section 76 restricted operators in Trinidad and Tobago from using local remote-gambling equipment to offer gambling into overseas markets. The government is therefore creating a route for an export-facing online gambling sector based in the country.

Licensing Has Not Started Yet

The parliamentary votes do not mean operators can apply today. The Gambling Control Commission still says that only Parts I, II and X of the 2021 Act are in force, while the provisions covering licensing, compliance and enforcement have not yet been proclaimed.

Attorney General John Jeremie gave the next date during the Senate debate. The remaining provisions are expected to take effect by January 1, 2027, TTT News reported.

The Commission has not yet published live application guidance or the licensing requirements operators will need to follow. Those details will matter more to operators once the Commission opens the licensing process.

2026 Collections Near Last Year’s Total

Tancoo also pointed to tax receipts from regulated gaming. The sector generated TT$72.66 million for the state in 2025 and another TT$71.3 million during 2026 so far.

That puts this year’s figure at roughly 98% of the entire 2025 total. The offshore change gives the government another segment of gambling activity it can bring under the local licensing and tax system.

Payment oversight will remain split between regulators. The Gambling Control Commission will supervise gambling activity, while the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago will continue to oversee payment systems.

January Is the Next Milestone

For now, the order removes the restriction on serving overseas players from Trinidad and Tobago. It does not yet create a live market.

The next meaningful step is the proclamation of the remaining parts of the Gambling Act and the release of licensing guidance. The government says those provisions should take effect on or before January 1, 2027.