On Monday March 14, 2022, the Honourable Colm Imbert, Minister of Finance, presented instruments of appointment to the first Board of the Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Commission (the Commission).
The Commission forms part of the regulatory framework which the Government has put in place to address the social concerns arising out of the proliferation of private member clubs providing casino-style games to the club members.
Part 11, 5 (1) and (2) of the Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Act, No. 8 of 2021, provides for the establishment of a body corporate to be known as “the Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Commission,” which shall be managed by a Board appointed by the President.
Section 6 (1) of the Act states that the first Board shall consist of:-
a) the Chairman, a Deputy Chairman and two other members, each appointed for a term of four years;
b) three members, each appointed for a term of three years; and
c) two members, each appointed for a term of two years.
A person shall be qualified to be a member of the Board where he:-
a) has worked and has experience in the gaming and betting sectors;
b) is an Attorney-at-law of at least seven years standing;
c) has AML/CFT/PF experience; or
d) has at least five years’ experience in accounting, finance, economics,
information technology, management, social work or law enforcement.
The members of the Board of the Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Commission will comprise, with effect from the dates of their respective Instruments of Appointment, in accordance with Section 6 (1) of the Act, the following:-
- Mr. Stephen Tang Nian – Chairman
- Mr. Stevan Thomas – Deputy Chairman
- Mr. Kenwyn Ogeer – Member
- Mr. Jerome Herrera – Member
- Ms. Kalifa Julien – Member
- Dr. Dave Seerattan – Member
- Mr. James Philbert – Member
- Ms. Asa Archie – Member
- Mr. Anil Maraj – Member
Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Commission
Members of the Board
Mr. Stephan Tang Nian’s professional experience encompasses over eight (8) years in banking leadership and management.
Mr. Tang Nian’s portfolio includes Manager, Institutional Sales and Trading at RBC Merchant Bank and Assistant Vice President at RBTT Merchant Bank. During his varied tenure in the finance sector, a few of Mr. Tang Nian’s core functions included pursuing opportunities for securities trading, the growth, development and improvement of business models and the conduct of financial analysis of credit and investment assets for Countries and Corporates. Mr. Tang Nian is also professionally trained in Anti Money Laundering.
Mr. Tang Nian currently serves as a Board Member at the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT), and has also served as Chairman of TATT’s Audit Committee and member of the Board Review Committee, TATT. Mr. Tang Nian possesses a wealth of knowledge in the field of finance and economics having earned a Master of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting.
Mr. Stevan Thomas is the Managing Director and Senior Software Developer at Prodigy Software (Trinidad). He has over twenty (20) years’ experience as an Information Technology professional.
His expertise includes thirteen (13) years’ experience in a variety of programming languages; producing high quality applications in the desktop, web and mobile areas of development.
In addition to programming, Mr. Thomas is also proficient in networking and systems administration.
Mr. Thomas is the holder of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from the Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne (USA).
Mr. Anil N. Maraj is the current President of EduSmart Company Limited and ReadyCo Company Limited. Mr. Maraj’s work experience encompasses over 20 years in providing leadership and management. One of Mr. Maraj’s core features is his focus on developing programs that deliver efficiencies and playing a leading role in the mobilization, development, and implementation of robust operational processes.
Mr. Maraj is the holder of a Master’s in Business Administration from the Heriot-Watt University and other various training and certificate courses.
Ms. Asa Gabrielle Archie is a legal professional offering expertise in financial, commercial and corporate law, including litigation and dispute resolution, risk management and regulatory compliance with tutelage in financial law. Ms. Archie is an accomplished Attorney with a 12-year record offering comprehensive and solutions-oriented legal advice. Ms. Archie holds a Master of Science in Finance and Financial Law from the SOAS, University of London along with other relevant legal training.
Dr. Dave Arnold Seerattan possesses over five years’ experience in the field of Economics. Dr. Seerattan is a published writer with publications in refereed and other journals, books, chapters or papers in books and other publications. Dr. Seerattan has also previously served on cabinet appointed committees and as member on various committees and associations. Dr. Seerattan is the holder of a PhD in Economics, Specializing in Foreign Exchange Markets from the Brunel University, London, UK, and a M.Sc. in Economics, Specializing in Money and Finance from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.
Mr. James Anthony Philbert has over forty-three (43) years of active policing experience. Within this period, Mr. Philbert served two (2) years as acting Commissioner of Police, Trinidad and Tobago and also achieved many commendations. Mr. Philbert has received extensive training both locally and internationally in the areas of Management, Criminology, Regional Narcotics Investigation, Executive Criminal Intelligence Investigation, Detection of Trans-National Organized Crimes, Border Patrol and Marine Interdiction and Project Management. Mr. Philbert is the holder of a Bachelors of Law Degree (hons.) from the University of London and a Legal Examination Certificate (LEC) from the Hugh Wooding Law School.
Mr. Jerome Herrera is a practicing Attorney-at-law who was admitted to the Bar of Trinidad and Tobago in 2008. Mr. Herrera has extensive experience in the practice of litigation. Some of his key areas of practice are Real Property Law, Contentious & Non-Contentious Probate Proceedings, Breach of Contract, Defamation, and Company Law among others. Mr. Herrera has been a Tutor at the Legal Aid Clinic of the Hugh Wooding Law School since September 2019. He is currently attached to the Bethany Chambers and has been working with various Chambers continuously, since 2008. Mr. Herrera is the holder of a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from the University of the West Indies Cave Hill and also attended the Hugh Wooding Law School where he completed the Certificate of Legal Education programme.
Ms. Kalifa Julien is a practicing Attorney-at-law and currently holds the position of Senior Policy Analyst in the Economic Management and Research Unit (EMRU), Division of Finance and the Economy, Tobago House of Assembly. With a background in Policy, Law, and Criminology, Ms. Julien is also currently an online Facilitator at the University of the West Indies Open Campus – Tobago, in the area of criminology. Ms. Julien has served on various Boards as Director since the year 2016. Ms. Julien is the holder of a Master of Science (MSc) in Development Studies Specialisation Economic Policy Development (Distinction) from the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies and a Master of Science (MSc) in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of West Indies.
Mr. Kenwyn Ogeer is a consultant by profession and provides services to various small and medium-size organisations in the areas of management, accounting and finance as well as gaming and betting. Mr. Ogeer is versed in the operations of gaming and gambling having provided advice and assistance to a number of gaming and betting operations in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica. Mr. Ogeer previously served as a Consultant to the Technical/Implementation Team in the Strategic Management and Execution Office, Ministry of Finance and also the Betting Levy Board in Trinidad and Tobago. Mr. Ogeer attained a Master’s of Science Degree in Financial Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.