The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Bet Vegas, the only web shop operator to be denied a license, has slammed a Gaming Board order warning Bahamians not to gamble at its premises as “victimisation”.

Anthony Brown, Bet Vegas’ president, pledged that its 11 locations would remain open despite the regulator advising the public to not participate in any gaming activities on its premises.

The Gaming Board, via a newspaper advertisement last week, warned Bahamians that they could not participate in gaming activities at Bet Vegas locations, as the company was not one of its web shop licensees.

It also warned that all Bet Vegas accounts “must remain closed”, and that they could not be re-opened or used to conduct gaming transactions. The notice was backed by the threat of regulatory and police action should these terms be violated.

In an e-mailed response to Tribune Business, Mr Brown said: “It’s just victimisation. Yes, we are still open.”

The effect of the Gaming Board’s action is that Bet Vegas is still shut down, even though its locations may be open, as no one can participate in gaming activities at those premises.

Bet Vegas obtained a December 18 stay of the Supreme Court decision that effectively paved the way for its closure two weeks ago.

The company, which is seeking a Judicial Review of the Gaming Board/Government decision not to grant it a licence, had obtained a Supreme Court Order on October 26 to prevent its shut down.

The Government, though, successfully applied to set aside the October 26 Order on December 1. It subsequently told Bet Vegas to cease its operations by December 7, a move the operator complied with. It had 11 locations and 86 staff.

The eight companies which have received a conditional web shop gaming license are the FML Group of Companies trading as (t/a) FNM Webshop; GLK Ltd t/a A Sure Win; Jarol Investments Ltd t/a Chances Games; Paradise Games Bahamas Ltd t/a Paradise Games; Playtech Systems Ltd t/a Island Luck; T.I.G Investments Ltd t/a Percy’s at The Island Game; The Four Point Group Trading t/a Asue Draw + Spin; and Bahama Dream Web Café Ltd t/a Bahama Dreams.