Tonga shuts down casino plans
The Polynesian country denied a permission to set up a casino.
Tonga.- According to TVNZ, the Government of Tonga announced that it rejected the request for casino gaming because the activity is illegal in the country. Yesterday, Tonga granted the first national gaming license.
Max Abbott, Professor and member of AUT’s Gambling Research Centre, said: “Government in Tonga has said they haven’t given them permission to set up a casino. So it’s a little ambiguous as to what’s going on.” Even though the government also granted Red Warrior Entertainment the premisson to develop a project that includes hotels in the Oceanic country, it is still uncertain if they can also feature a gaming facility. The Prime Minister’s Office stated again that gambling is prohibited by law: “Therefore any intention from Red Warrior Entertainment or any Casino Company to apply for a gaming license would be futile.”
Treasurer of the Free Wesleyan Church (FWC), Rev. Tevita Haukinima, said: “We at the FWC don’t believe in casinos and dealing cards. This is what the church believes and what Christians believe as well as our pastors and people of the church. It might bring about problems in society that will affect the people. We all know of casinos overseas and the difficulties it brings and I think the same thing would happen in Tonga.”
