Gambling Argument Flawed, Says Advocate
By Sasha Lightbourne
The Bahama Journal
A former Bahamas Gaming Reform (BGR) leader said that the gambling argument is flawed and may not benefit the government once a referendum is called.
In a press statement, Sidney Strachan argued that the church may have the “upper hand” on the gambling issue.
“Current government position of not considering casino and other forms of gaming ownership and participation for Bahamian residents falls far short of my expectation,” he said.
“The BGR has long proffered that Bahamians are treated as third class citizens in their own country. To say only current players will be allowed to be owners in the ‘Numbers game’ go against free enterprise in any democratic society. The Bahamas government, in my opinion, is being disingenuous in stating it proposes to regularise gaming in its current form.”
Mr. Strachan said many of the gaming representatives who are agitating for gambling to be regularised will experience many challenges operating in a legal environment based on current gaming regulations.
“Additionally, I envision many legal, copyright and regulatory challenges for the operators and The Bahamas Government if the ‘numbers’ business is legally allowed in its current form,” he added.
“In these instances, illegal operations were ordered to come to a complete stop and licences were granted to applicants based on their ability to obtain such licences. However, in some instances some large scale illegal gaming continued. Under the current online gaming ‘numbers’ system, I envision many obstacles to having this formally instituted in its present form. The platitudes from some of our leaders can only serve to placate number bosses while pulling the wool over Bahamian eyes once again.”
Addressing the efforts of the newly formed ‘We Care’ group, Mr. Strachan indicated that current gaming owners are making critical mistakes in lobbying on their own behalf and it will prove to be a “blight and a clear conflict of interest” on the government.
“It is in poor judgment and taste and even if we were to obtain this partial gaming victory it will be a negative reflection on how we conduct business in The Bahamas,” Mr. Strachan continued.
“Make no mistake; I support regularisation of ‘numbers’ and hold that the good vs. evil argument is ridiculous. However, anything short of opening up gaming completely to allow all Bahamian residents to be owners and players can never be a complete victory.”
Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis told the Bahama Journal Wednesday that his party will stick to having the referendum before the end of the year and that Mr. Christie is expected to come to the public soon with all the details.
“The prime minister will be making an announcement very shortly,” Mr. Davis said at the time.
“Mr. Christie’s announcement could come as early as next week, I’m not sure, but I know that as of now he is ready to go to the nation to explain the way forward and to set the framework for the referendum to be held.”
There has been much public debate surrounding the legalisation of gambling over of the past few weeks, so much so, that the contentious issue has even divided the Bahamas Christian Council (BCC).
The BCC has said it is “diametrically opposed” to gambling, however, Mt. Calvary Baptist Pastor Dr. Philip McPhee believes there are benefits to be derived from its legalisation.
He recently held a discussion with several other pastors and the proprietors of numbers houses.
Despite his stance, the pastor says has never gambled and does not intend to change, even if the law changes.
The Mount Calvary Baptist pastor’s stance on gambling shocked many in the religious sector who questioned why a clergyman would support the illegal trade.
While shying away from getting involved in the back and forth, head of the local Roman Catholic Church Archbishop Patrick Pinder reiterated his church’s position yesterday, which is, that it does not support the legalisation of gambling.
July 20, 2012
The Bahama Journal
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Showing posts with label Sidney Strachan Bahamas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sidney Strachan Bahamas. Show all posts
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Sidney Strachan, the former chairman of the Bahamas Gaming Reform (BGR) committee expressed disappointment in church leaders who oppose a referendum on gambling
Church 'Predicament' Over Gambling
tribune242
THE former chairman of the Bahamas Gaming Reform committee expressed disappointment in church leaders who oppose a referendum of gambling – a move he claims places them in a “predicament” with the pro-gambling public.
Sidney Strachan commended the Christie administration over the weekend for sticking to its campaign promise to hold the nationwide poll, as reiterated in last week’s Speech from the Throne.
He said the BGR has long expressed the need for government to review the “antiquated, hypocritical and discriminatory” gaming laws – a view shared by local stakeholders including casino owners and operators and the Bahamas Hotel Association.
Mr Strachan said: “To continue pretending that gaming does not exist and a large majority of Bahamians do not want to participate is ludicrous.
“While one group is permitted to come into our country and game in and own gambling properties, Bahamians are treated as second class citizens and denied the same rights.
“There is something fundamentally and inherently wrong when a foreigner has more rights in the Bahamas than a citizen.”
Mr Strachan said the BGR has been in contact with regulated gaming jurisdictions outside the country and has been advised that the combined economic impact of a national gaming network in the Bahamas could potentially exceed $60 million, and could create as many as 1,500 to 2,000 jobs.
“Bottom line,” Mr Strachan said, “Bahamians want to game and will not stop. However; this hypocrisy must cease. Churches that enforce on its members a tithe and other ‘voluntary taxes’ on all income, legal or illegal, now want to prevent the government from legally taxing an existing enterprise.”
He explained that some churches have said they will accept all money regardless of where it came from – simply because pastors have the authority to “bless” it.
Mr Strachan said: “Gambling is a nationally and internationally accepted legal form of entertainment.
“The Bahamas instead has decided to prohibit its citizens from participating in and owning a key portion of its own tourism product.
“We continue to foolishly conduct business like a banana republic while modern democracies reap the profits from modern gaming networks.”
He noted that the government could use the money raised on schools, hospitals, infrastructure and support programmes – all of which would generate new employment.
Mr Strachan said Prime Minister Perry Christie is doing “the noble and correct thing” by allowing Bahamians to choose for themselves.
“While this is not necessary to change the gaming law, it is certainly a step in the right direction to complete reform and towards creating Bahamian ownership in our country,” he said.
May 29, 2012
tribune242
tribune242
THE former chairman of the Bahamas Gaming Reform committee expressed disappointment in church leaders who oppose a referendum of gambling – a move he claims places them in a “predicament” with the pro-gambling public.
Sidney Strachan commended the Christie administration over the weekend for sticking to its campaign promise to hold the nationwide poll, as reiterated in last week’s Speech from the Throne.
He said the BGR has long expressed the need for government to review the “antiquated, hypocritical and discriminatory” gaming laws – a view shared by local stakeholders including casino owners and operators and the Bahamas Hotel Association.
Mr Strachan said: “To continue pretending that gaming does not exist and a large majority of Bahamians do not want to participate is ludicrous.
“While one group is permitted to come into our country and game in and own gambling properties, Bahamians are treated as second class citizens and denied the same rights.
“There is something fundamentally and inherently wrong when a foreigner has more rights in the Bahamas than a citizen.”
Mr Strachan said the BGR has been in contact with regulated gaming jurisdictions outside the country and has been advised that the combined economic impact of a national gaming network in the Bahamas could potentially exceed $60 million, and could create as many as 1,500 to 2,000 jobs.
“Bottom line,” Mr Strachan said, “Bahamians want to game and will not stop. However; this hypocrisy must cease. Churches that enforce on its members a tithe and other ‘voluntary taxes’ on all income, legal or illegal, now want to prevent the government from legally taxing an existing enterprise.”
He explained that some churches have said they will accept all money regardless of where it came from – simply because pastors have the authority to “bless” it.
Mr Strachan said: “Gambling is a nationally and internationally accepted legal form of entertainment.
“The Bahamas instead has decided to prohibit its citizens from participating in and owning a key portion of its own tourism product.
“We continue to foolishly conduct business like a banana republic while modern democracies reap the profits from modern gaming networks.”
He noted that the government could use the money raised on schools, hospitals, infrastructure and support programmes – all of which would generate new employment.
Mr Strachan said Prime Minister Perry Christie is doing “the noble and correct thing” by allowing Bahamians to choose for themselves.
“While this is not necessary to change the gaming law, it is certainly a step in the right direction to complete reform and towards creating Bahamian ownership in our country,” he said.
May 29, 2012
tribune242
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