...the proposed gambling referendum could be dead on arrival (DOA)

By Dennis Dames

As the news surfaces about the upcoming gambling referendum and the possible questions on its ballot – one thing is certain, and that is:  the confusion mounts.  Are we going to vote half of the way or the full nine yards on Bahamians gambling in The Bahamas?

Is the referendum going to be about a national lottery, legalizing web shops, casino gambling for Bahamians, or what?  The success of the vote will depend on the ballot menu.

Some Bahamians voters want the whole hog; which is the legalization of all forms of gambling for the native gamblers period.  Others simply want to do their thing in the web shops without having to look over their shoulders for a possible law enforcement raid.  Then, there are those among us who want to play numbers exclusively; whether it’s lotto, lottery, Island Luck, Flowers, Asue Draw and so on and so forth.

Does the government of The Bahamas intends to please all the Bahamian gamblers with the referendum questions or only some?  Is it really fair to still have tourists gambling in certain places and Bahamians in others - when the smoke of the vote is cleared?

Do we actually know what we are doing in relations to the proposed referendum?  I agree that the Christie administration has enough votes in the Bahamian parliament to do whatever they want in regards to the gambling question for Bahamians in The Bahamas.

It looks like the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is playing with fire in relations to legalized gambling for Bahamians in their country, as there is no guarantee that the “yes” vote will prevail in the referendum.  If it doesn’t, do Perry Christie and the PLP have the guts to close down every illegal gambling establishment in the country?

I doubt it.

So, it is my view that the PLP government could be setting itself up for a major defeat with their proposed impending referendum on gambling for the Bahamian gamblers in The Bahamas.

It is a grossly false assumption for one to postulate that every Bahamian who gambles in some form or another in these islands - will tow a line on referendum day, and vote yes or no to whatever the questions are – in my humble opinion.  Many Pastors will ensure that their flock is motivated on voting day to defeat the gambling for Bahamians question.

So again I say, that the powers that be - is playing a serious game of political Russian roulette with this gambling matter for Bahamians; which could result in the political demise of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).

Be progressive Mr. Christie, and move in the Bahamian Parliament to settle the gambling for Bahamian concerns once and for all.  If tourists could gamble legally in our beloved country, then – we Bahamians must be able to do so too.   There is nothing complicated about this; except to say that the proposed gambling referendum could be dead on arrival (DOA).

Sunday September 23, 2012

Caribbean Blog International

Bishop Simeon Hall - Senior Pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church says that he welcomes the issue of regularising web shops being put to Bahamians ...in the form of a referendum

Baptist Bishop Supports Regularising Web Shops- Town Hall Meeting On Gambling Tonight

By Korvell Pyfrom
The Bahama Journal


As the government gears up to hold a referendum to further explore regularising the web shop industry, a leading pastor said he welcomes the issue being put to Bahamians in the form of a referendum.

New Covenant Baptist Church Senior Pastor Bishop Simeon Hall said although it is the Church’s position to oppose any steps toward immorality, he has formed a pragmatic position on the issue of regularising web shops.

Bishop Hall said that the reality is that the practice has been happening for years and by not regularising the industry, the government continues to lose millions of dollars in revenue annually.

“Mostly, the people who gamble are those already marginalised with chronic financial and social problems. Yet, I believe the government is correct in seeking to regularise this industry and all that is involved in this trade should be exposed,” Bishop Hall said.

Bishop Hall said that even though the church and the government may have opposing views on the issue, dialogue between the two must continue and he added that both sides have very compelling reasons for their positions.

“I believe that the church’s position is clear. What do you expect the church to say other than we are against it? In principal most clergy people would be against it,” he said. “But it is a multifaceted approach on the one hand, the church is saying we are against it, but on the other hand, we recognise that government cannot just allow these practices and this industry to go on without collecting some form of tax or revenue from it.”

“I believe it is right for the government to put the issue out to the Bahamian people to see where we stand. Both the government and web shop owners have a responsibility to educate the Bahamian people on all sides about gambling. Gambling in our Bahamas is as common as conch fritters. There are some Bahamians who will continue to gamble regardless of what the outcome of the proposed referendum would be. The government is in a tenable position to regularise this multi-million dollar enterprise.”

Bishop Hall will moderate a town hall meeting on the issue of regularising web shops at New Covenant Baptist Church on East-West Highway tonight at 7:30.

Panelists will include Pastor Cedric Moss, Gaming Board Chairman Dr. Andre Rollins, Attorney Wallace Rolle and Free National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner.

Members of the public are invited to attend.

31 July, 2012

Jones Bahamas

Caribbean Blog International