~ No one, even this present coalition could change my stance on casinos on St. Maarten~
PHILIPSBURG: ---Member of Parliament Rayehon Peterson made clear that no one or any government, including the coalition government he supports, will change his stance on casinos in St. Maarten.
Peterson said he said it before, and he will say it again that the government should close down all standalone casinos on St. Maarten, the member of parliament said that it is his opinion that the parliament should bulldoze the government with a law, because these casinos does not benefit any local person.
The Member of Parliament said he could live with casinos attached to hotels due to the country’s dependency on tourism as its main source of income. However, the Member of Parliament said he knows someone who has been working in the casino industry for over 18 years, yet this person is unable to secure a loan because these workers are not permanent workers.
National Alliance leader MP Egbert Jurendy Doran also asked about the budget for 2025 and the coalition governing program.
Regarding the licenses for casinos and lotteries, the Member of Parliament asked the Minister of TEATT, Grisha Heyliger Marten, to provide an overview of the current licensing process for establishing a casino in Sint Maarten, detailing each step and the criteria used to evaluate applications.
He asked for clarity on Licensing and Operational Status and asked that the minister confirm whether the new casino in Simpson Bay, Sunset Port de Plaisance, is operating under an official, independent casino license or is still relying on a comfort letter.
Doran asked if it is accurate that the Sunset Port de Plaisance (PDP) casino is using Princess PDP's license. If so, what are the legal ramifications, especially given that Princess PDP Casino is operational?
He further asked that given that a comfort letter from a previous administration is being used to justify the opening of a casino, does the minister believe that such a document should carry the same weight as the official licensing procedures?
Employment of Local Workforce:
How much of the new casino industry’s workforce is comprised of Sint Maarteners, and what measures are being implemented to ensure that local workers benefit from the increase in new casinos? How can parliament ensure that casinos are not just creating low-wage jobs for foreigners while leaving local citizens without opportunities?
Social and Economic Impact:
He said given that coalition partners like MP Raeyhon Peterson and MP Sarah Wescot-Williams have historically opposed gaming expansions, what measures is the government putting in place to address the social consequences of expanding the casino sector?
Pending Casino License Applications:
Can the minister provide an update on the number of casino license and operational license applications currently pending processing at the Department of Licenses (DEL)? How many casino and operational licenses for casinos have been requested in 2024 and 2025?
Compliance with Regulatory Requirements:
Can the minister clarify Princess PDP Casino's operational status? Given the established regulatory requirements, particularly the minimum number of hotel rooms needed to qualify for a casino license, does the casino meet these requirements? If not, what steps are being taken to address this issue?
Addressing Public Concerns:
In light of recent public concerns and criticisms regarding casinos' proliferation and potential social impact, how does the government plan to address these issues? Specifically, what measures are being considered to prevent market saturation and mitigate the risks associated with increased gambling facilities?
Revenue Collection and Allocation:
Doran said considering reports that casinos pay a fixed annual fee that may not reflect their actual revenues, what steps is the government taking to ensure casino operators contribute a fair share to public finances? Are there plans to revise the fee structure or implement stricter enforcement to improve revenue collection?
Support for Gambling Addiction:
With the increase in gambling establishments, what initiatives are being implemented to support individuals struggling with gambling addiction? Is there funding allocated for addiction treatment programs, and how does the government plan to promote responsible gambling?
Regulatory Oversight and Reforms:
Given recent controversies surrounding casino licensing and operations, are there plans to reform the gambling industry's current regulatory framework? How does the government intend to enhance oversight and ensure transparency in issuing and monitoring casino licenses?