When you operate a sweepstake, giveaway, raffle or lottery firstly you are required to apply to the government, right now Ministry of Tourism, to obtain a licence.
If the event is not for a charity or recognised not-for-profit you are required to put into bond with the treasurer for 15 per cent of the gross receipts created from the contest. You are required to pay the 15 per cent within 14-days after the draw the 15 per cent of the gross receipts accompanied with a statement duly verified by an approved accountant.
At least three-numbers houses have held million dollar sweepstakes – do they have a Ministry of Tourism licence?
Have they signed a bond with the treasurer of The Bahamas for 15 per cent of the gross and will they present a certified statement of the proceeds of the sweepstake.
The probable answer to all these required questions is an emphatic no!
The Prime Minister in his comments on the numbers lottery said numerous times that he intends requiring, if it is agreed to establish this gaming legally, applicants to follow this same sort of process any applicant for a casino licence has to pass through.
Right up to the referendum it seems even on the morning we go to vote and after we will be able to break the law with total impunity and purchase our lucky group of numbers.
The Treasury is seemingly empty, or at least needs a top-up, may I recommend a review of the past eight to 10 years of Business licence annual reports from the known number bosses and a review that will re-assess all the major houses for no less than $1,000,000. Big business, big profit. They have the money. If you demand it, they will pay, believe me they all want a licence.
The Ministry of Tourism needs to make a statement as to whether any of these sweepstakes we see advertised who are giving away a house and other things are legal?
I suspect not but what do they do, or should be doing… holding a sweepstake is not illegal, yet you require a licence but Numbers is “illegal” but we all look the other way and you wonder why we have so much crime?
H Humes
Nassau, Bahamas
January, 2012
