Slot Machine Bill Passes Senate

The Finance Bill that has gotten so much attention lately has been approved by the Senate. It had passed in the House, and now with the Senate signing off on it as well, all that remains is for President George Maxwell Richards to sign off on it.

The bill is amending the Gambling and Betting Act and is phasing out slot machines. It will eventually eradicate them from all casinos and private members clubs, but will first make the importation of slot machines completely illegal. The bill also clearly defines what a token is and what a slot machine is so that there is no confusion when interpreting and enforcing the new law.

The Union of Members Clubs and Lottery Workers has been fighting against the bill stating that by making slot machines illegal they will literally be putting upwards of 7,000 people out of work. This is probably the only thing that has kept the President from signing off on the bill first thing this morning.

Supposedly the government is not planning on making it a law until the act is proclaimed, and that they are planning on trying to work something out with the gaming industry so that by ridding them of the slot machines they don’t take away that many jobs. However, the law does not state any such thing, and if the President signs it it will become law immediately if they so desire.

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