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alexk
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A businessman has been fined $4,400 for running an illegal “Play Whe” operation at his legitimate casinos in Port-of-Spain, two years ago.
Abraham Moses, 69, of Fonrose Avenue, Cascade, was slapped with the fine by Magistrate Sanara Toon-McQuilkin after he pleaded guilty to two charges of illegal gambling before her in the Port-of-Spain Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
While she noted that the offence carries a potential prison sentence, Toon-McQuilkin said it was not appropriate in Moses’ case because of his age and the fact that he had a clean criminal record.
However, she stated that he did not deserve a full one-third discount of his sentence, usually afforded to people who plead guilty, as he waited almost two years to change his plea.
She also noted that illegal “Play Whe” operations, which usually pays better odds that offered by the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB), are far too prevalent in T&T.
Toon-McQuilkin gave Moses a week in which to pay the fine. In the event that he does not meet the deadline, Moses will serve four months in prison.
According to the evidence presented in the case, Moses was arrested after police raided Million Dollar Private Members’ Club on Charlotte Street and Queen Charlotte Recreational Club on Henry Street, in January 2016.
The officers seized five cash registers, which were modified to collect bets and $42,861 in cash.
After sentencing Moses, the magistrate granted an order to enable the State to forfeit the seized money under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Under the order, the money is to be placed in the Seized Assets Fund, which is used for funding community development, drug treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
Although Moses’ lawyer Ian Brooks did not challenge the order during the hearing, he has a month in which to decide whether to appeal the decision.