Dear Editor,
St. Maarten has always had a complicated relationship with gambling. For years, concerned voices in Parliament have spoken about the dangers of unregulated lottery booths, the pervasiveness of casinos, and the gambling addiction that plagues many of our people. Among the loudest critics? None other than MP Sarah Wescot-Williams and MP Raeyhon Peterson are now coalition partners in the very government that just gave the green light to yet another casino.
That’s right. Another casino in the Sunset building has officially been granted a permit, thanks to the decision of Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten. And now, she’s scrambling to justify it, saying the previous government issued a promissory letter and her hands were tied. But let’s be honest, since when does a promissory letter from a former administration mean a done deal? If she truly opposed it, she could have reversed it just as she has reversed many other decisions since taking office. So, quite frankly, this sad attempt of an excuse is unacceptable.
So, the real question is: Does she agree with opening the casino, or is she just playing both sides?
A Government Out of Sync. Who’s Fooling Who?
This move exposes the deep hypocrisy within the current coalition government. Sarah Wescot-Williams, the leader of the Democratic Party (DP) and a senior member of the coalition, has spent years railing against the spread of gambling institutions. In 2022, she grilled the government over casino revenues, demanding transparency on agreements between casinos and the government. In earlier years, she questioned the issuance of new casino licenses, emphasizing the need for strict regulations. Now, her own coalition partner and party member, the Minister of TEATT, has handed out a new casino permit on a silver platter.
And what about Raeyhon Peterson of the Party for Progress (PFP)? He has been vocal against lottery booths, even pushing for policies to restrict their numbers. Most recently, during the budget debate, he even called for casinos to be shut down. His stance has been clear: gambling should be regulated more strictly, not expanded. Yet, his government just signed off on a brand-new gambling establishment. Will he speak up against his own coalition, or is he conveniently silent now that the political winds have shifted?
This administration claims to stand for “the people,” but which people, exactly? The hardworking St. Maarteners who struggle to make ends meet, or the well-connected business elite who continue to rake in profits while the rest of the island drowns in economic disparity?
The Classic St. Maarten Double Standard
This government is proving, once again, that it operates on two sets of rules: one for the haves and another for the have-nots. If you’re struggling, you’ll be met with endless red tape, excuses, and delays. They’ll tell you to be patient, that the budget is tight, and that solutions take time. But if you’re a casino owner or a well-connected businessman, suddenly, doors open, permits are issued, and excuses are made.
The House Always Wins
The approval of this new Casino isn’t just about one more casino. It’s about who this government really serves. And from what we’re seeing, it’s not the struggling families, not the working-class citizens, and certainly not the people who have been warning about gambling addiction for years.
This isn’t just hypocrisy; it’s a blatant slap in the face to everyone who believed this coalition was different. So the question is, will MPs like Wescot-Williams and Peterson stand up and call out their coalition’s double standards, or will they let this government continue to cater to the few at the expense of the many?
Because in this game, the casino always wins, and it seems like the people of St. Maarten will be the ones left paying the price.
Concerned Citizen.
