By DANA SMITH
Tribune Staff Reporter
dsmith@tribunemedia.net
THE country could be on its way to a legalised and taxed webshop industry, according to some Bahamians who have voiced their intentions of a “yes” vote in the upcoming gambling referendum.
“Do you support the regulation and taxation of Web Shop gaming” and‘“do you support the establishment of a National Lottery’, were the two questions revealed Tuesday night by National Security Minister Bernard Nottage.
On January 28, the public will be asked to vote “yes” or “no” to either question in an effort to decide the future of the country’s gambling industry.
Yesterday, many told The Tribune they were planning to vote “yes” to the first question – while some were divided on the second.
One woman said yesterday she supports a “yes” vote to both questions because legalised webshops and a national lottery could help to reduce crime.
“I feel that it will keep kids out of robbing, stealing, and help promote jobs for young people,” said Adina Seymour. “If they have something to do, it would stop them from killing, getting into problems with police, so on and so forth. It will help them to stop doing what they do.”
Ms Seymour’s opinion was shared by Axel Johnson who said: “If you don’t have a lottery around and people don’t have anything to do, they’re going to rob, they’re going to steal, they’re going to get frustrated.”
Mr Johnson added that both questions will get a “yes” vote from him.
Another man, Christopher Farrington, was divided on the issue. He explain he would vote “yes” to regulating webshops but “no” to a national lottery.
“I do support the regularisation of the numbers business because clearly it has been happening in the country for a very long time and governments have turned a blind eye to it – they’ve given license to the cause. Even if they cancel it out, Bahamians will still participate in the activity,” he said.
“I do not support the establishment of a national lottery if it’s not going to be done by some foreign entity. Because at this current time, I know there is going to be some cheating along the way so I don’t believe that we need it.”
Mr Farrington also questioned the clarity of the referendum questions.
“The government should have been more clear. Whoever came up with the first question was very, very smart because some Bahamians won’t even understand what it means,” he said. “If you really think about it, it’s really a tricky question.”
However another man, Carvell Munnings, said he intends on voting “no” to both questions because of morals and he doesn’t believe the industry would generate noteworthy tax revenues for the country.
“It borders on your own self respect and dignity for yourself and your opinion and views on the general population,” he said. “And I don’t think gambling can contribute enough (tax revenue). If they do have a profit, it won’t be able to do anything more than if you were to come on the street and drum up a little car wash or something like that.”
Another person, who wished to remain anonymous, said he plans on voting “no” to a national lottery but “yes” to legalising webshops.
“If you look at national lotteries – they go up in the millions, and we have just over a quarter of a million people, maybe half a million people. I don’t support the outcome of that because that’s vast money,” he said.
“I have no problem with the government regulating and taxing webshops and giving it to the Bahamian people at large.”
Tyrone Blyden: I do play numbers and I think it would be a good thing for the country. Helping schools, helping sports, helping so many different things. Same with a national lottery.
Elton Moss: I don’t think a lottery is financially feasible but if that’s what they have to do, fine, but I’m not in support of it. Webshops are already legal – so if it’s here and it’s a form of revenue, why not tax it.
Axel Johnson: To be honest I do support it because the money that they tax them can be used for other things in terms of whatever the country needs, in terms of anything that needs to be done – you can use that money and take care of whatever has to be done. You don’t have to get rid of it like the church wants – which is nonsense because the church has raffles. Yes, I support a national lottery because it’s a good money-making opportunity. And to be honest, if you don’t have a lottery around and people don’t have anything to do, they’re going to rob, they’re going to steal, they’re going to get frustrated and that’s what’s going to happen. Because they can’t go to the shop and spend $5 to probably win $100 or $500. So what am I going to do if I can’t do that? I’m going to rob you because you have on something nice and I don’t have any cash.
Gary: I vote yes (to legalising webshops), because sometimes when you’re broke, you need money in your pocket and sometimes your luck is be on and you just get it. No (to a national lottery), I ain’t ever tried it before – I play numbers.
Carlos Thompson: Yes to both. It could help the economy. It could help fund education, it could help fund athletes and different things which need it.
Phillip P: Yeah, our economy is hurting now - we need more revenue.
Kevin Strachan: For a long time they (webshops) weren’t paying anything so I think it’s time they now start paying. And yes, I think (for a lottery) - because all the other Caribbean countries have lotteries so it’s time for us to have one.
Comments
soulassasin242 11 years, 10 months ago
well he way that i look at it is this if we say no that we dont want it they are are goin pass it no matter what and if u say no they it still dont matter becuz teh ppl are still goin to go and buy numbers any how so too me it is a no win topic all around
TalRussell 11 years, 10 months ago
AS promised by PM Christie Bahamians cannot wait to read about about the background checks to be performed as part of the PM pledge to carry out due diligence on each and every applicant who desires to become one of the handful of officially government licensed numbers operators.
Presumably, this should not take so long a process, cause the Commish of the Polisemen's does done have a file on all them numbers "Bosses" now, and Comrades it is filed under "active criminal Investigations?"
And, not'in sketchy when it comes to who was the very first Bahamian to coin the phrase numbers "Bosses?" It was none other than Prime Minister Christie himself?
Comrades rather than our government owned broadcasting networks and privately owned media running Vote "YES" ads for the numbers "Bosses," shouldn't Commish Greenslade make-up "Wanted" posters for persons known to be "openly" operating illegal numbers racket houses, the same way he does for other criminals, and seek the media's assistance to run them for the public's help in assisting his policeman's with their immediate apprehensions and detention?
Com'on Vote "NO" campaign.Take off your damn gloves and be prepared to clash head-on with the Vote "YES" campaigns financed by the numbers "Bosses."
If the Commish won't print "Wanted" posters, you print them yourselves. And, if you're unsure whose photos should be on them, just you call up the four Vote "YES" pastors, cause they can sure as hell help you with all photo lineups you will ever need for ya printers?
Call them out for the kind of people they really are? Both the PLP and the red shirts knew exactly how they made their money illegally off the backs of struggling Bahamians, yet they did not hesitate to accept monies to finance their election campaigns. http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2013…
TalRussell 11 years, 10 months ago
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2013…
John 11 years, 10 months ago
THE REFERUNDUM ON GAMBLING is a waste of time and a 'spin da wheels in da sand' tactic for the govenment to avoid taking responsibility for making controversial legislation. The 'yes' vote will pass in any event because those who want to gamble will get up and show up to the polls to make sure and vote. Only those strongly opposed to legalised numbers, will stand in long lines in the hot sun (or rain depending on the weather) to vote "NO". Others will have the, 'let them do what the hell they like" attitude and not vote on the issue. If the gambling vote was put on a ballot with other pressing issues in this country then there would be a stronger opposition vote. BUT what happens after the voting takes place? Who will determine who gets a gambling licence and who does not? What about all the persons who are campaigning (with millions of dollars) for the yes vote only to find that the door to being a licensed operator is shut with them on the outside? Will a turft war start (as like in the drug trade) when the numbers house operators no longer have a common cause, but now view each other as competition? And who will look out for the welfare of children, where both parents gamble, or one is absent and the other one rolls the dice with uncontrollable passion (electronically of course)?
John 11 years, 10 months ago
THE REFERUNDUM ON GAMBLING is a waste of time and a 'spin da wheels in da sand' tactic for the govenment to avoid taking responsibility for making controversial legislation. The 'yes' vote will pass in any event because those who want to gamble will get up and show up to the polls to make sure and vote. Only those strongly opposed to legalised numbers, will stand in long lines in the hot sun (or rain depending on the weather) to vote "NO". Some who are baited by the millons of dollars and 'sweet dreams promises' being dished out over the days leading up to 'D day" will vote in favor only because of this. Others will have the, 'let them do what the hell they like" attitude and not vote on the issue. So the 'potential legalised gamblers" will get the "YES' vote like Christmas candy! Only if the gambling vote was put on a ballot with other pressing issues in this country then there would be a stronger opposition vote r even stand a chance of not bing passed. BUT what happens after the voting takes place? Who will determine who gets a gambling licence and who does not? What about all the persons who are campaigning (with millions of dollars) for the yes vote only to find that the door to being a licensed operator is shut with them on the outside? Will a turf war start (as like in the drug trade) when the numbers house operators no longer have a common cause, but now view each other as competition? And who will look out for the welfare of children, where both parents gamble, or one is absent and the other one rolls the dice with uncontrollable passion (electronically of course)?
VDSheep 11 years, 10 months ago
Referendums ought to be more productive in asking more than two important questions that are of major concern to the country. This one could include some of the following: Do you support the regulation and taxation of Web Shop gaming. Do you support the establishment of a National Lottery. Do you support regulation and taxation of all gambling. Do you support the establishment of a national service. Do you support the nationalizing of all national resources of the Bahamas. Do you support a national appeals court to replace the privy council. Do you support the making all of Grand Bahama a Freeport Island. Do you support giving the family islands a minimum of fifty percent of all foreign investments. Do you support two term limit for a prime minister. Do you support national referendums on all major issues in the Bahamas.
John 11 years, 10 months ago
The churches (of God) say they don't have the resources to fight the gambling bosses. They don't have the money to give away to convince voter not to vote for gambling or even to promote their cause. They dont have homes to give away or a helicopter to fly over R.M. Bailey park and drop thousands of flyers giving away dvd's, flat screens, homes and cash prizes. BUT THE CHURCH HAS THE POWER OF PRAYER!!!! Every church in this country should be open on referendum day and hold 24 hour prayer virgils (ok lets say 12 hours then) Invite voters to come and pray and worship before they go to the polls. If GOD can knock Paul down on his way to Damascus to slay Christians,and change his heart to become one of his most faithful servants, why cannot God touch the hearts of Bahamians on their way to the voting stations to support legislation that has the potential of being the most destructive law this country is likely to pass any time soon? When my people who are called by my name shall humble themselvs and pray...
TalRussell 11 years, 10 months ago
Comrades it has been made Crystal Clear that the four preacher is not licensed to speak God's name or hold his tongue.
You four preacher you need be holding your tongues cause ain't no way God go'in be sending you with no message to be spearheading the legalization of no damn numbers rackets. It matters not what you say on your own.
Preacher If God ain't give you no message it matter crap what position you have taken to support the Vote "YES" side of PM Christie's "Thing"
My Dear Comrades Bahamaland is go'in know come January 28, 2013, that them four preacher wasn't the anointed tongues of we God. Maybe He go'in open the heavens with signs of raining down on PM Christie and he cabinet "Thing, masquerading as some legitimate referendum?
Let the church of the great God say Amen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnJcjKd3…
JohnDoe 11 years, 10 months ago
Where is the voice of the "Venerable" ArchBishop Gomez on this gambling referendum. The silence is deafening. Without even discussing the substance of the gambling issue and its consequences, is not this process equally flawed, if not more so, than the previous attempt at a referendum? With less than three weeks before the vote the just released questions are misleading and ambiguous and we don't even know what we will be voting for. What does regulations of web shops or web shop operators mean? For that matter what is considered a web shop? ArchBishop Gomez God is watching!
BahamasGamingAssociation 10 years, 4 months ago
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bahamas-…
WHICH ON OF THE BELOW REIGNS SUPREME IN THE BAHAMAS?
The Bahamas Lottery and Gaming Act Chapter 387 Section 50 Persons prohibited from Gaming
Or
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Chapter III – Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedom of the Individual. Section 26 Protection from Discrimination on grounds of Race, Place of Origin etc.
The Bahamas Gaming Association stands by the Ideology that all human beings who are 18 years or older should be treated equally in all sectors of the Bahamian Economy which is enshrined in the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
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