By Hayden Boyce

Slot machines in the Turks and Caicos Islands have paid out a staggering $44million in winnings over the past three years.

Information obtained by The SUN revealed that the 150 machines that are scattered across Providenciales have paid out an average of $14million each year, or just over $1million per month over the past 36 months, with the largest jackpot being $76,000.

Between October 2008 and September 2009, $16million was paid out in winnings, compared with $14million in winnings between October 2007 and September 2008 and $13million in winnings between October 2006 and September 2007.

In an exclusive interview with The SUN, Jack Tatum, Vice President of Carib Gaming, the largest slot machine operator in the Turks and Caicos Islands, says the slot machines contributed more to the economy than the casinos Casa Blanca and Players Club, and he has provided figures to back his claim.

Tatum revealed that Carib Gaming paid Government $1.9million in revenue between October 2008 and September 2009, $1.9million between October 2007 and September 2008 and $2million between October 2006 and September 2007. This amounted to $5.9million over a three year period.

Over the past three years Carib Gaming paid out $3.2 million in commission to small businesses and bars in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Tatum stated.

He also paid $927,220 in rents, $131,862 in utilities, $385,854 in security and $72,769. He also paid $316,151 in licensing costs to Government.

“As you can see, gaming has a trickle down effect in the Turks and Caicos and it employs lots of persons and contributes significantly to the economy,” he added.  Meantime, Tatum is calling for a level playing field in the gaming industry.

 “The casinos and the slot routes both support a large number of jobs whether in one location like a casino or twenty different bar and restaurant locations. A simple analysis would be to compare one hundred dollars worth of revenue from the casinos versus the slot routes and see what the effect is in tax revenue for the government because both businesses are competing for the same dollar and it would be unfair for either business to pay a higher tax rate than the other,” he said.

Tatum challenged Casa Blanca and Players Club casinos to produce their figures to the public to demonstrate how they were contributing to the economy.

Tatum says he is thankful are to have the relationship with his customers and partners here and also with the TCI Government. 

He added: “The Gaming Inspectorate works hard to make sure both the route operators and the casinos stay in compliance. The revenue from the machines helps to supplement the income for many of the restaurant and bar locations in Providenciales.
The slot route operators (e.g., Carib Gaming, Elite Gaming, Paradise Gaming) currently pay 35% of there revenue in government tax plus $2,000 per year for each bar location and $25,000 per year for each slot parlor.  It is only fair that both casinos should pay a similar tax.” 

He added: “Although we are both governed by the gaming offices, we are by law governed by two different gaming ordnances. 
Slot machines have always been in bars and restaurants and locals have always been allowed to play these machines — this gaming ordinance was put in place in 1976.  The casino ordinance only came into effect in 1990. The casino ordinance later changed in 2007 to allow locals to play in the casino.”

Tatum said Carib Gaming is looking forward to a successful future with its local partners and continuing to help the Turks & Caicos build and grow.  

“Carib Gaming has contributed in the growth of Providenciales by investing in three different resorts as well as supported many charitable organizations,” he added.