The Gaming Board has launched a study into the feasibility of a national lottery in The Bahamas, thrusting the thorny issue back into the spotlight.
Gaming Board Secretary Alonzo Butler said in an interview with the Bahama Journal Tuesday that the Board is gathering information from other jurisdictions with national lotteries.
“We are in the process of getting the laws together so that we can do a proper study and select from those things what we think are best suited for our own circumstances here in the Bahamas,” he said.
So far the Board has gathered a bulk of information from conferences that officials have attended, he said.
But Chairman of the Gaming Board Kenyatta Gibson said this morning that he wanted to make it clear that “no firm decision” regarding a national lottery has been made.
Mr. Gibson added though that “it is the duty of government to investigate all prospects and it is that duty we are carrying out at present.”
Last year, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said a study revealed that there were at least 45 illegal gambling houses in New Providence and 12 in Grand Bahama. Sixty percent of the adult population of The Bahamas spend anywhere from $1.8 million to $2 million both locally and abroad on games of chance each week, he said.
At the time, Minister Wilchcombe said the government had the option of either strengthening the penalties for illegal gambling, or “find a formula to introduce a national lottery.” He vowed to submit data collected to church and community leaders and said that he would begin dialogue this year.
Minister Wilchcombe also said that the time for hypocrisy surrounding illegal gambling must come to an end.
Well aware of the feathers that could be ruffled in any move toward legalizing gaming for
ļ¾ Bahamians, government officials have said repeatedly that they intend to consult religious leaders and other sectors of the community before making a final decision.
It’s something that Mr. Gibson reiterated this morning.
“We will consult the church,” he said.
Some government officials – including Prime Minister Perry Christie – have even suggested that a referendum might be the most appropriate way of reaching conclusion on the issue.
Efforts by the Board to study national lottery plans could result in a serious backlash, according to Christian Council President Sam Greene.
But there are some who feel that there could be a serious backlash against the Progressive Liberal Party government if it implements a national lottery in the Bahamas.
Christian Council President, Bishop Sam Greene said Tuesday that attempts to introduce a national lottery could be met with strong opposition from church leaders in the country.
“I know there would be a backlash because I would lead the charge myself,” he warned. “I might not win, but I would lead the charge, just as I did against [former Prime Minister] Hubert Ingraham and his government with the referendum, which was wicked for Bahamians.”
Bishop Greene said the argument that a national lottery could be used to subsidize educational costs is a blind argument.
“Bahamians of yesteryear made their money the honest way, which is the hard way,” he said. “How are we ever going to move forward as a country if we continue to base our lives on a game of chance.
“There are many scholarships available out there, there are loans. There are many things that our students can do legally and morally to pay their way through school. I am not and I will never be in support of a lottery. And I’m sure many other church leaders feel the same way.”
By Rogan M. Smith, The Bahama Journal
