Belize to establish a Gaming and Lotteries Commission 

The Senate today debated the second reading of the Gaming, Lotteries and Control Bill 2025, a key piece of legislation aimed at modernizing Belize’s gaming sector and introducing stronger oversight and accountability. The bill was introduced by Senator for Government Business, Anthony Sylvestre, who outlined the historical and legislative context leading up to the measure.  Senator Sylvestre explained that the bill’s origins trace back to June 2010, when a comprehensive assessment of Belize’s gaming industry was conducted. A follow-up evaluation in early 2012 revealed that Belize stood to benefit significantly from the sector, provided that it was properly regulated and managed to protect both economic and social interests.  He noted that in 2021, Cabinet gave its approval for the establishment of a Gaming and Lotteries Commission, paving the way for a unified framework to oversee all gaming activities, including casinos, lotteries, and other forms of wagering. The Gaming, Lotteries and Control Bill 2025 now seeks to legally establish that commission, bringing into existence the structural and policy framework that has been under development for the past four years.  According to Senator Sylvestre, all existing acts and statutory instruments governing gaming and lotteries will be amalgamated into one consolidated law, the Gaming and Lotteries Commission Act. This move, he said, will create greater coherence, transparency, and efficiency in how the industry is monitored and regulated.  Lead Opposition Senator, Patrick Faber, was in support of the amalgamation but did express several concerns on the bill.

Hon. Patrick Faber, United Democratic Party: “We say from the onset, Madam President, that we recognize good intention in the bill. But of course, as is the case with much of the legislation that comes to the Senate, the devil is in the details. Madam President, the noble intention of consolidating, repealing and consolidating existing legislation and bringing them together when the laws were written for instance there were no laws, well Belize didn’t have any kind of online betting, no virtual gaming, no major casino operators back then and they are now bringing all of these laws into one consolidated coherent framework and so this makes sense to us and it is overdue in all regard but again we cannot support unchecked accountability and one of the most glaring faults we can find right away, Madam President is the unchecked, what is apparently unchecked ministerial power, the lack of oversight and the creation of special privileges and monopolies disguised in this word modernization. Let me begin, Madam Speaker, the unchecked ministerial power. And it is important, I feel like every time we stand up in this Senate to discuss bills, there seems to be more and more ministerial power being given to ministers.”

Senator for the private sector, Kevin Herrera, rose to contribute to the debate on the Gaming and Lotteries Bill, calling for the inclusion of mandatory audits of the commission.

Hon. Kevin Herrera, Business Community Senator: “The gaming commission but for the gaming commission there is no requirement for an audit and I can’t figure out why and then in 41.1a Madam President it says that a statement of its account 41.1 rather within three months after the end of each financial year the commission shall cause to be made and shall submit to the minister a statement of its accounts audited in accordance with the section I just read. So the Public Utilities Commission Act clearly covers the auditing of the funds collected by the Commission, Madam President, but for some reason the those under the Gaming Commission doesn’t have that requirement. And so I would hope that that aspect of it, I don’t know if it’s an oversight or it’s something that perhaps we can amend. But I do believe since we’re looking at a commission that is collecting sums, that those monies be audited and be properly accounted for.”

Love News understands that the new legislation will also prioritize responsible gaming practices by recognizing and addressing potential social ills associated with gambling, including addiction and financial distress. Senator Sylvestre emphasized that the government’s goal is to ensure a well-regulated and socially responsible gaming environment that contributes to national development while safeguarding public welfare./