Trinidad and Tobago’s gambling industry says six small casino operators have decided to shut down since the government announced plans to double their taxes and more closures will follow unless the government reverses course.

Earlier this week, T&T Finance Minister Colm Imbert unveiled the government’s 2017-18 budget, which included a new 10% tax on lottery winnings while doubling fees and taxes on casinos and other land-based gambling operations effective January 2018.

The T&T Private Members’ Clubs Association (TTMCA) was quick to warn Imbert that the new rules would result in many operators choosing to close up shop and TTMCA president Sherry Bersad says “at least six small clubs” had expressed their intention to wrap up operations at a two-hour emergency meeting on Tuesday.

Bersad said the gaming industry directly employed 9k workers on the islands while an additional 30k residents indirectly depend on the local gaming industry. Bersad claims larger gaming operators are talking about downsizing, and thousands of gaming jobs are under threat unless the government backtracks on its tax grab.