Illegal gambling is continuing to thrive across the country due to a lack of proper police controls.
National MP Agostinho Lay said although gambling such as power ball, casino gaming and lottery was forbidden under law, it continued to occur.
“Police operations have not managed to combat these [illegal] networks,” he told National Parliament. “Police should find the main brokers.”
He added illegal gambling could lead to instability and the country does not receive any benefit as brokers do not pay taxes.
He suspects that some political leaders may be involved in running illegal gambling networks and called on police not to be afraid to enforce law and order.
“Sometimes when the police do their operation the gambling networks already know [in advance],” he said.
In response to the issue, Deputy General Commander of the National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) Faustino da Costa said so far police had arrested a number of people involved in illegal gambling operations.
“The police have made an arrest and seized all the things [and] now [the case] is in the process and just waiting for the trial at the court,” said da Costa.
He said that ministerial regulations clearly state that the PNTL and the General Directorate for Gambling in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Environment (MCIE) must take action to control such illegal activities.
However, he said there had been difficulties implementing the law as the government and not the police had full competency to control illegal gambling.
“There are many illegal gambling [operations] and police take no action,” he said.
