Web shops are arguing that their sector’s “development of technology and business methods” are outside the regulatory purview of the Lotteries and Gaming Act.
According to an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, Percy’s Web Cafe, Island Luck, the FML Group of Companies, Chances Internet Services, WhatFall, and Asue Draw claim that their technology-based businesses are “outside the behaviour defined in and covered by” the Act.
The affidavit also alleges that the six companies operate more than 100 web shops in Abaco, Andros, Bimini, Cat Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Inagua, Long Island, Grand Bahama, and New Providence.
The document also claims that the plaintiffs were licensed and fully compliant with the Act. The plaintiffs provided information on the activites of the web shop businesses.
“Based on (a) the issue of the licenses of the plaintiffs following the meeting with the officials from the MInistry of Finance, and (b) the terms of the Business License Act, there is a legitimate expectation by the plaintiffs that their business operations would not be interfered with by the Government,” the affidavit stated.
