THOUSANDS of people are being held hostage in TT by a growing gambling addiction.

Imagine life as a prisoner, but this is no ordinary prison – there are no steel bars, no tall walls and strict restrictions. Instead, those held hostage by their gambling addiction are supplied with unlimited free liquor and food at various intervals, to stay long enough to spend as much as possible

Gambling has become a local past-time, whether it’s the government-approved Play Whe, Pick Two, Cashpot or Lotto games, the roulette machines at almost every bar across the country, or the high stakes at various casinos around the islands.