The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

ASUE Draw & Spin, the web shop company that has opted not to renew its provisional gaming license to operate in the country, is now disbursing “in full” all winnings and account balances accrued by its former customers in view of its exit from the sector.

The weeklong payout process will be supervised by the Gaming Board, according to Gaming Board Secretary Verdant Scott.

In a public notice yesterday, Mr Scott said the Four Point Group Limited (FPGL), trading as Asue Draw & Spin, has as of Monday, started to pay out in full “all legitimate winnings and all legitimate account balances” to its former customers from three of its locations on three separate islands throughout the country.

The payout process will take place from 9am to 5pm daily until Saturday, November 12, Mr Scott’s statement said. FPGL said payouts will be made at its Regency South Plaza in New Providence; East Sunrise Highway in Freeport, Grand Bahama, and the Elkis Building in Alice Town, Bimini.

To collect their funds, former customers will need to present a “valid form of photographic identification,” such as a passport, National Insurance card or “any other government issued identification documents” that bears the individual’s likeness, according to FPGL. Former customers will also have to present the “valid winning ticket,” when applicable, and will also be required to complete, sign and date an “acknowledgment form,” the group said.

If persons are unable to visit any of the locations by the cut-off date, and/or if they reside in Marsh Harbour, Abaco; Harbour Island or Palmetto Point, Eleuthera, or Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands, the notice said former customers can either hand deliver, mail, fax, or email the necessary information to the secretary of the Gaming Board no later than Monday, December 12, 2016.

For more information, persons can contact the Gaming Board at 397-9200 in New Providence; 350-0025 in Freeport, and 347-3020 in Bimini.

Last week, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe, who has ministerial responsibility for gaming, confirmed that Asue Draw & Spin had opted not to renew its provisional license, explaining that the company’s decision “indicates that they have withdrawn from the business.”

At the time, Mr Wilchcombe, said the decision not to renew its license was one that was made by the Asue Draw & Spin, and as such the company “will have to explain its reasons.” Nonetheless, he said the Gaming Board will allow for a “seven-day period” before “beginning the process to fill the opening.”

Asue Draw had 21 locations, 31 agents and 86 employees.

Asue Draw & Spin’s decision not to renew its provisional license came as the lengthy regulatory process for determining which companies would be given official licenses has come to an end. This was the final step in the process of regularising the web shop industry.

The licenses will be officially issued by November 11 to seven of the eight companies previously given a provisional license.