Impossible policy to stop gaming

As of Friday, May 18, 2018

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Once again, a well meaning public servant with the best of intentions has presented a policy without thinking it through, that would be unrealistic, expensive and totally unfeasible.

Mister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar inspired The Tribune headline “Minister blocks welfare recipients from gaming”, and is quoted as saying “If you are receiving assistance from the state, there must be some conditions attached, and one of which should be not to gamble.”

Fine, but what exactly must Government do to make such a policy effective?

First, how do you define the many forms of “assistance from the state?” Free medical care or birth facilities at PMH? Once, twice or a dozen times? Free school lunches? Disability pension from NIB? Housing assistance for demolished shacks?

Second, you must create, and update, an accurate list of all those unfortunate people receiving “assistance”, and (whether they like it or not) perform the odious task of publishing it.

Third, you must make sure it is distributed to all the hundreds of the web shops throughout the country.

Fourth, somehow you must compel the guardians and staff of the web-shops to check the list and prevent anyone on the list from placing a bet, even if he or she is an approved customer.

Further comment about implausibility is unnecessary!

Traditional policies of discouraging and publicizing the bad features of gaming can certainly be beefed up, but can never be replaced with The Minister’s extreme policy of legal coercion

The new Bahamas Gaming Operators Association is the best vehicle for carrying out these policies under its energetic CEO Gershan Major. Even though the Association was created and funded by the eight gaming houses, it has been given a mission to take imaginative steps to mitigate any social ills arising from gaming. Its progress, in coordination with the Gaming Board. will be welcomed.

RICHARD COULSON

Nassau,

May 14, 2018.

Well_mudda_take_sic 6 years, 6 months ago

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DDK 6 years, 6 months ago

The "policy' should be to close the gambling houses that are on nearly every street corner and in between. Install National Lottery per above post. Full stop.

luvsnest 6 years, 6 months ago

It’s sad we all know what is happening with the number houses in the Bahamas. Yet, we take no action to remedy the situation. All talk and no action. A national lottery would benefit everybody, helping pay for public education, scholarships, healthcare and other social services. Our current situation with the number houses only benefits a few. What the hell are we waiting for?!? Please help me understand.

DDK 6 years, 6 months ago

Unfortunately as there seems to be NO TRANSPARENCY on this one, and, as government officials ignore all protests, we are left with assumptions and they are not good ones. It seems like a deal was made with the devil for pre-election funding or a great pay-off to keep the slimy shops open. I wish the PM, his Deputy or Gaming Minister would tell us otherwise but they are not talking. There was oddly no mention of gambling reform in the FNM 2017 Manifesto..............

luvsnest 6 years, 6 months ago

Before I go ,One more issue marijuana It is my opinion that the Bahamas is usually 10 years behind the USA . Marijuana will be legal in the world in a few years, leaving the Bahamas behind once more. There are so much of our youths who are criminalized for one joint, Where as they could not travel to the USA or get a job on this 7+21 Island, what are they to do other than crime . We should be in the planning mode preparing our country to move forward with the rest of the world. It is inevitable that the Bahamas will eventually legalize it, It is only a matter of time. Legalize and tax taking the money out of it would put a big dent in crime plus help pay off our national debt. Please wake up Bahamas before it is to late. What are we waiting for, 10 years?

DDK 6 years, 6 months ago

Wilchcombe Blasts FNM Over Gaming Bill

Posted on 11 September 2014. by Sasha Lightbourne

Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe, who is responsible for gaming, yesterday called Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis a “flip-flopper” on the issue of regularising web shops in the country.

Minister Wilchcombe who led off debate on the Gaming Bill in the House of Assembly Wednesday, said he did not understand Dr. Minnis’ current position on the issue when the former administration, of which he was a part, had considered regularising web shops on several occasions.

“I am so confused by this leader,” he said.

“I don’t know when he became a member of the FNM. I don’t know when he was elected to the House of Assembly because the former prime minister considered it. [A local daily reported] on Friday February 15 2008 former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham told the commissioner of police that he is considering legalising gaming for citizens and residents.”

Minister Wilchcombe also referenced another article published in April 2010 which was headlined “FNM Favours Web Shop Gaming.”

On Sunday, FNM Leader, Dr. Hubert Minnis said his party will not support the regularisation of web shops nor will the party offer its support to an ‘unfair and non- transparent’ revised Gaming Bill.

DDK 6 years, 6 months ago

Wilchcombe Blasts FNM Over Gaming Bill

Posted on 11 September 2014. by Sasha Lightbourne .....continued from above post

Dr. Minnis maintained that his party will continue to stand with Bahamians who voted No in last year’s gaming referendum.

“The FNM has supported and will continue to stand with the people, the Bahamian people voted in the referendum and the Bahamian people said No, the prime minister said he will honor the outcome of the referendum, I think that Bahamians will generally respect the words of any prime minister but the has shown that his words cannot be trusted,” he said during a press conference at the party’s Mackey Street headquarters Sunday.

Minister Wilchcombe said Dr. Minnis’ approach on the issue is “very disappointing.”

“We can’t take this country forward until the opposition begins to appreciate that something’s aren’t political,” he said.

“Every time, every minute the leader of the opposition jumps around. He’s everywhere. He’s a Houdini. He can disappear all over the place. I have never seen anything like it. Leaders don’t do that, you stand up for what you believe in and die for what you believe in. You go where you must go for what you believe in. You don’t change just because and then intend to make it seem like this is all on us.”

Dr. Minnis however took exception to the tourism minister’s statements noting that the FNM is in agreement with the Bahamian people.

“He is totally missing the point,” the opposition leader said.

“This has gone to a referendum and the people stated their position. The government said they would agree with the people’s position so this has nothing to do with what he is talking about. We said that we are on the side of the people and we will defend the people so they are the flip-floppers, not us.”

Minister of State for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez seconded the bill describing it as “the most transparent gaming bill in the world.”

The government has repeatedly explained that the referendum was simply an opinion poll, therefore not allowing the outcome to be binding by law.

sheeprunner12 6 years, 6 months ago

The bottom 40% of the society are the main webshop customers ............. rich people do not have to buy numbers ........... They already benefit off the backs of the rest of the population either as illicit dealers, bona fide business people, well-connected PEPs, or they have inherited 5-generation wealth ...... The middle 40% pay the majority of the taxes for the others ....... The top 20% enjoy the "Bahamian Dream" and help to drive the national debt up with entitlements.

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