The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Christian Council’s vice-president called the government’s decision to postpone the gambling referendum until next year a “good gesture.”

Bishop Victor Cooper was speaking yesterday on Prime Minister Perry Christie’s Tuesday night announcement that the hotly debated referendum on the legalisation of web shop gaming – which was set to be held on December 3 – will now take place on January 28, 2013.

Mr Christie said the 
delay came with a primary realisation that the electorate lacked a good knowledge of what a majority “no” or “yes” vote could mean for the country.

Dr Cooper said yesterday: “I think it’s a good gesture and you never want to rush into anything without being sure that all the relevant information as it relates to what is being proposed is made clear.

“Rather than rushing the process, it’s good that the Prime Minister is taking the opportunity to ensure all the i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed – so the public is aware of what is happening and then they are able to make a sensible decision.”

He said the Council’s own campaign to educate Bahamians on the ramifications of a “yes” vote will continue until January 28.

“It’s important that people are educated on this whole process and the church is making an endeavour in making sure that people are educated so that they make the right choice and, of course, the choice, for the church, is no,” he said.

The Council and other religious leaders have been vocal about their opposition to the legalisation of web-shops since the referendum was first announced.

In addition to a commercial which is circulating on YouTube, the website www.saveourbahamas.com has already been launched and outlines seven reasons why the Council believes Bahamians should vote “no” on the January 28 referendum.

The website says gambling violates national values, exploits the poor and gambling addicts, promotes negative lifestyles, and harms the economy.

It also “produces social problems,” the website continues – causing mortgages and rent to go unpaid, school fees to fall behind, domestic fights over wasted money, and some persons may “resort to anti-social behaviour.”

Gambling also increases crime, the Council declares, explaining people “desperate for money to gamble” commit crimes to obtain money – such as stealing from employers, armed robbery, prostitution, housebreaking.

“Also, organized criminal groups and gangs use gambling operations to launder proceeds of crime and bribe law enforcement officers and government officials,” the website states.

“We have already seen how web shop owners, who are currently breaking the law, have used money from their illegal gambling operations to try to buy support from citizens and politicians by throwing to them the financial scraps from their filthy rich money tables, all of which was earned on the back of the poor and weak.”