The Nassau Guardian
Baha Mar urges govt to move quickly on Gaming Bill
Baha Mar executives yesterday expressed concern over the delayed Gaming Bill and encouraged the government to pass it by the start of the new fiscal year.
Baha Mar Senior Vice President of Administration and External Relations Robert
‘Sandy’ Sands, who previously expressed disappointment over the setbacks, said it is important that the government moves quickly.
"We are very anxious for this to be passed,” said Sands, responding to The Guardian’s questions.
It was expected that the Gaming Bill would be debated and passed last year.
However, recent considerations by the government to make web shop gaming legal for Bahamians have slowed the process.
“It's very important that this is passed by the first of July, or by the end of June,” Sands said.
“The government is very much aware of anxiousness that we feel. We have been assured that it will be passed.
“So we just have to remain hopeful that the government passes this bill as soon as possible.”
Senior Vice President and General Counsel Uri Clinton noted that the bill is important for the security of Bahamian jobs.
"There are thousands of Bahamian jobs that will be dependent on getting a modern gaming bill passed," said Clinton, who was also responding to The Guardian’s question.
Last year, Clinton called on the government to “urgently” pass the Gaming Bill, noting that Bah Mar needs time to “budget, plan and train, to ensure it can take immediate advantage of the new law when it opens its new development later this year.”
The proposed Gaming Bill would introduce an entirely new mobile and online gaming segment to the Bahamian resort’s gaming offerings, allowing The Bahamas to tap into what is projected to be a $100 billion industry globally in 2015.
Atlantis executives have also expressed disappointment over the delays.
Atlantis President and Managing Director George Markantonis said last year that Atlantis is prepared to make investments to take advantage of the new law.
However, he said construction of private gaming rooms will hinge on the passing of the bill.
Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe, who has responsibility for gaming, said last week work was continuing on the bill.
However, he declined to comment further.
In addition to regulating the numbers industry, the government is also considering removing the ban that prevents Bahamians from gambling in casinos.
Wilchcombe has said he hopes to have the Gaming Bill passed by July 1.
However, Minister of State for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez said recently that date is unrealistic given the amount of work required to properly regulate the industry.
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