A few things jumped out while watching the opinion poll – called a referendum – last night.
First, the ambiguity of the question relating to web shops.
Second, Bahamian people seem to have voted against government action appearing to push things down their collective throats.
Third, what will come of the "web shops"? A release from the PLP party last night suggested that resources would be allocated to close illegal web shops. Many people think the status quo will remain however.
Fourth, the "No" vote clearly puts the ball in the governments hands to make a decision.
Fifth, the "Yes" campaigns promotion of how much good they are doing did not work. There are obviously people hurt by gaming, but that won't make gambling go away. It might be forced further under ground.
Sixth. While the vote delivered a resounding "No" to the questions posed, less than 25% of eligible voters cast a vote.
The government does not appear to have the leverage of a "Yes" vote to "regulate" and "tax" the gaming industry, but it would appear they think, like many others, that gambling is already legalised as a result of those companies holding a business license, so what will happen?
In a nut shell the government has to learn from the mistakes of the real Referendum of 2002 and this opinion poll and determine what the best way is to establish a gaming industry, incorporating the right of Bahamians to gamble in hotel casinos if they wish to do so.
The details of how the government propose regulating web shops and a national lottery should be laid on the table well in advance so they can be debated before a proper referendum might be held.
As an aside, it would appear that the government was counting on the revenue from the gaming houses (projected between $20 and $40 million) so what do they do about government spending and revenue?
In the final, it appears that the Bahamian people pushed back and has suggested that the Government revisit their proposals and do it right.
If I might be presumptuous, duplicate the referendum of 2002 and add the gambling bit and hold a plebiscite after several months of discussions and white papers etc.
What's your take?
I am quite surprised, pleasantly so I think, perhaps we as a people are not willing to blindly follow political expediency or objectives.
Perhaps if a deal was done “with the devil” our P.M. is now off the hook.
A facebook comment was relayed to me, from a young man who said “at a time when people the world over are struggling against authoritarian Governments for more freedom, it is amazing that Bahamians would vote for less” (paraphrased)
A yes vote however, in not addressing a Bahamians right to vote simply and directly was actually a vote to continue discrimination.
How does one structure a law to say “gamble here, but not there”?
Being that our Constitution addresses discrimination, the above is really the only question to be asked, and
Of a Judge in a Judicial review.
The creation of a national lottery is a fit and proper referendum question to be put to the People.
numbers gaming is illegal, the proceeds therefrom are illegal, and the issuing of Web Shop licenses is Government collusion in Fronting and potential money laundering.
The fact that it is ongoing, and in full public view reflects on our own lack of respect of the rule of law.
How about we move on to Campaign financing reform?
That should clear the political deck and remove a repeat post election hubris no?
A last thought, look at the speed with which we saw a lobbying group appear out of the woodwork. These are usually busy leveraging behind the scenes.
Maybe we should appreciate this unintentional transparency, the best and actually the most honest I’ve seen anyway.
Thanks Rick, for your quick and incisive commentary on this sorry episode.
Unfortunately for me, I am rather unpleasantly surprised by the result because to my mind, it reflects one of the worst sides of the Bahamian people, three aspects of which are evident in last night’s outcome.
It disturbs me greatly that ‘the Church’ appears to wield massive influence on our society, while failing in its primary remit/raison d’etre to enhance and promote the spirituality of the nation. To hear the ‘Reverend Doctors’ triumphalising on the airwaves is enough to cause me to regurgitate my fish and chips.
Next, the decision shows that a minority of people (no more than 45,000, i.e. 25% of ~180K registered) has taken a decision on behalf of the entire country.
Finally, and probably singularly the issue that disturbs me most, is the blatant hypocrisy and duplicitousness of the Bahamian people, albeit as reflected in a small voting sample. Pre-Referendum estimates were that as many as 1 in 3 Bahamians ‘play the numbers’ regularly. It would be intersting to know how many numbers players actually voted ‘no’.
We delude ourselves into thinking we are a ‘Christian nation’ …. nothing could be further from the truth!
This kills me:
“The Parties to the intended application represented by Mr. Munroe are: Pete Deveaux (D/B/A Percy Web Cafe), Sebastian Bastian and Adrian Fox (Island Luck), FML Group of Companies Ltd., Jarol Investment Limited (D/B/A Chances Internet Services), Aspera Co. Ltd. (D/B/A What Fall) and Kevin Dean/Kenneth Fountain/John Stuart/Barry Kemp and Ty Wells (T/A A-Sue Draw.) Mr. Sears represents Paradise Games Limited (D/B/A Paradise Games).”
Isn’t this kinda like the drug dealer, finding his stash has been stolen, calling the police to report it?
I still say a Judicial review, constitutional challenge was the way to go, at the instigation of the AG.
But nooooo, we have to do it the hard way.
There has got to be something in Nassau water!
I think this is all one big waste of time & money.This should be done in a general election with the questions:Do you want to hang
:Do you want a national lottery etc.Maybe that would not work because all Bahamians see is the Crab or the torch !
The church needs to take the plank out of their own eye.I don’t remember such an uproar when this little boy or that little girl was messed with by some so called rev.If only there was such a reaction by these same people that are hell bent against gambling towards the huge crime problem that is getting worse by the minute.It just seems to me like the priorities are screwed up pretty bad.We need to react like that towards these good for nothing politicians.Why is it OK for gambling on PI but not on Nassau ? I’m no gambler but its just common sense.One of the first things Bahamians do in the US is buy lotto tickets,get on a cruise ship & start pulling the arms on the slots.Maybe its just a sin in Nassau ! What about the raffles,is that not gambling ?
Right on Ludicrous! And write on.
I maintained from the outset they had a business license, paid NIB etc, so were legalised. Hence the wording on the opinion poll to regulate and tax, not legalise.
The numbers houses have had societies tacit support for generations and when they were granted business licenses etc it was a fait accompli.
The referendum/opinion poll was a complete waste of time.
The Court ruling shouldn’t take long :o)
Rick, while they were government “Shop Licensed” they were carrying on the business of online gaming, which I’m sure you will find mentioned no where on their issued shop licenses!
Web Cafe ostensibly is simply a wifi hot spot, a place for a cup of java or snack while surfing the web.
That got stretched way beyond imaginable criteria, albiet with tacit Govt/societal consent.
Oh what a pickle.