On the outside they look like ordinary restaurants, bars, ice cream parlours and laundromats, but on the inside, management and employees are engaged in the illegal selling of lottery numbers.
And even though some are setting up websites in an effort to secretly place their bets, officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force warned on Wednesday, that they intend to crack down on the many number houses in The Bahamas and to permanently put a cap on their clandestine activities.
Superintendent Hulan Hanna told The Guardian Wednesday that in an effort to “deal” with persons selling numbers, these individuals firstly have to be targeted and the necessary surveillance procedures must be implemented.
“Our efforts must be to take down the king-pin, the man who operates the joint. This has to come with concerted strategy and planning and efforts which can take some time,” he said, adding that it is “highly unlikely” for officers to find the individual operating the numbers joint with papers and large amounts of money on the property if their premises are targeted.
“The police must be smart and creative just as he is, in order to nab him and place him before the courts,” said Supt. Hanna.
According to the police superintendent, there is a wide “cross section” of individuals in The Bahamas who are selling and buying numbers, of which individuals can place bets from as little as 25 cents. Upon placing their bets, buyers then wait for the lottery numbers from Florida or some other state in the U.S. to reveal their daily lottery numbers to find out whether they hold the winning ticket.
The Police Press Liaison Officer further warned that the police are not intimidated by those who sell and are involved in “illegal lottery.” He said many individuals have been arrested and placed before the courts, but in many instances, there are those who are determined to make their living and support themselves and their families by engaging in illegal lottery activities.
“Whether it is buying numbers from this house or the next. You can put these people before the courts time and time again and you can almost look at them and tell that they will be right back out there to continue what they are doing,” he said, adding that there are also many who refuse to work for a living, but rather buy numbers on a regular basis.
“They will go home, they will dream and buy five or six dream books and some even listen to the crime reports to hear the age of particular individuals,” said Supt. Hanna.
It was also pointed out that even though a number of persons have been arrested last year for breaching the Gaming Act, mainly the operation of number racquets, there were no prosecutions. The Guardian was told that normally a fiat is sought from the office of the Attorney General, but at times, the process is either done expeditiously or may take a while.
“We have successfully prosecuted persons in recent times. I cannot recall specifically, but we have successfully done it and will continue to do it,” said Supt. Hanna.
Meanwhile, Supt. Hanna noted that the police only want to encourage Bahamians to work hard, rather than sell or buy numbers.
“Hard work may not bring you riches, but it brings you the satisfaction to know that you work hard in an industry to earn what you have,” he said.
By Tamara McKenzie, The Nassau Guardian
