The Nassau Guardian
Backbenchers said to be giving input on gaming bill
The Christie administration is giving its Parliament backbenchers the opportunity to air their concerns internally over the controversial Gaming Bill, The Nassau Guardian understands.
It is unclear if this will lead to changes in the legislation.
The bill was tabled in the House of Assembly in October and representatives from the hotel industry expected it to be debated and passed quickly.
However, after the bill was tabled it received criticism from some in the private sector, a member of the opposition and several Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) backbenchers.
Last month, Dr. Bernard Nottage, leader of government business in the House, said debate on the legislation would likely begin next year.
“The Cabinet is giving backbenchers and non-executive branch members an opportunity to engage in internal dialogue so that we can hash things out more thoroughly than may have occurred prior to now,” said a PLP source, who did not want to be named.
“People who have more influence in the decision making process may have an opportunity to change their mind about certain things that could cause for the bill itself to take on somewhat of a different appearance.”
Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe, who has ministerial oversight for gaming, has said the debate has been delayed because there are other bills on the House of Assembly’s agenda that have to be debated before the Gaming Bill.
Baha Mar Senior Vice President of Administration and External Affairs Robert Sands yesterday said resort officials are disappointed in the delay.
“We were very hopeful that it would have been debated before the end of the year,” Sands said. “We have not been informed as to when it will be. And we are still very hopeful that it could be done as quickly as possible.
“We believe that the bill as presented should be passed in its current form.”
Industry stakeholders have said the bill will modernize the country’s casino industry and make it more competitive.
The bill has been criticized for the elements that discriminate against Bahamians.
The bill that was tabled in the House prohibits gaming for any person who is ordinarily resident in The Bahamas; is the holder of a permanent residence certificate; a work permit holder or the spouse of any of these people.
The bill would also allow casino operators to conduct mobile gaming in any area of their resort. They would also be allowed to offer internet gaming — something web shop owners currently engage in but are fighting a legal battle with the government over.
The bill also triggered backlash from several PLP backbenchers and lawyer Wayne Munroe, who represents a group of web shop owners.
Gaming Board Chairman Dr. Andre Rollins, who was the first government MP to speak out against the proposed legislation, has said he hoped to persuade the government to amend the discriminatory elements.
Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells and Mount Moriah MP Arnold Forbes have also said they have concerns about a bill that discriminates against Bahamians.
Marco City MP Greg Moss and MICAL MP V. Alfred Gray also told The Nassau Guardian last month that they do not support foreigners being able to do something in The Bahamas that Bahamians can not.
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