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EDITOR, The Tribune.

Bahamas to have big announcement to legalize gambling in the speech from the throne next month. Nassau, Bahamas — Hubert Ingraham is determined to leave a lasting legacy when he demits office and in his last legislative agenda as the question of legalizing gambling in the Bahamas.

Recently, I read a Tribune news story about the Chairman of the DNA, Mr Andrew Wilson, not being allowed to gamble in a local casino. Included in the news story is this incorrect statement: “The main reason he was escorted out of the casino was because the country’s laws allow for visitors to gamble legally in casinos while Bahamians and permanent residents cannot.”

The truth of the matter is that Mr Wilson was escorted out of the casino because he is a Bahamian resident, not because he is a Bahamian national. Section 50 of the Lotteries and Gaming Act prohibits from gambling in casinos ALL persons who are work permit holders (non-Bahamians), permanent residents (non-Bahamians), ordinary residents of The Bahamas (Bahamian nationals), and the spouses of these persons.

• The Bahamas government provides maternity grant for each live birth, and a 13-week maternity benefit. Tourism makes about 40-45% of the nation’s economy. It has excellent beaches, flora, fauna and many recreational and resort facilities. Gambling is made legal for non-Bahamians visiting the Bahamas. Continue reading on the next page.
• Yes, it's a bit of an oxymoron as far as gambling in the Bahamas. Residents, citizens, or persons here on a work permit are not allowed to gamble in the casinos, but there are numerous number shops (disguised as web cafes, etc.) that sell numbers that are based on lottery results elsewhere.
• The 24-hour casino resort is about three hours from Key West, depending on traffic, which makes it easy for a day trip. There are over 1,700 slot machines, 32 poker tables and high stakes bingo.

Accordingly, Bahamian nationals who reside abroad and are not married to a person who is prohibited from gambling in local casinos can come home and legally gamble in any casino in this country. Therefore, the reality is that some Bahamians can legally gamble in local casinos, and some Bahamians can’t. And some foreigners can gamble in local casinos, and some foreigners can’t. Why? Simply because the basis for the prohibition is residency, not nationality.

It is ironic that in his quest to gamble in local casinos Mr Wilson is claiming that the constitution gives him a right to the pursuit of happiness. However, the truth is that our constitution grants no right to the pursuit of happiness; and even if it did, the financially reckless and parasitic practice of gambling is not a viable route because more often than not it leads to misery, not happiness.

Legal Gambling Age Bahamas

Former PLP cabinet minister Rev Carlton Francis was right when he said that gambling was no way to develop our new nation. His words were true then, and they remain true now. Therefore, the political leaders who legalized casino gambling in The Bahamas, and subsequently web shop gambling, and the church leaders who supported them, failed our nation. The evidence of their failure is obvious to all who have eyes to see.

PASTOR CEDRIC MOSS

Bahamas Legal Gambling Age

Nassau,

Bahamas Legal Gambling Age

January 5, 2017.