Comments on: Bill Paves Way For Gambling Referendum

By: Timeline: Gambling, Casinos, Laws, Allegations | Bernews.com

Timeline: Gambling, Casinos, Laws, Allegations | Bernews.com — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 13:51:18 +0000

[...] June 2012: PLP Table Referendum Act In Parliament [Link] [...]

By: UBP MP Charles Swan Suggests National Lottery | Bernews.com

UBP MP Charles Swan Suggests National Lottery | Bernews.com — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 11:50:03 +0000

[...] said.Earlier this year, Premier Paula Cox tabled the Referendum Act 2012 in the House of Assembly, saying it would be followed by a referendum on gaming in Bermuda in due course.Mr Swan said: [...]

By: Pro-Gaming Organization Launches Website | Bernews.com

Pro-Gaming Organization Launches Website | Bernews.com — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 10:16:32 +0000

[...] this year, Premier Paula Cox tabled the Referendum Act 2012 in the House of Assembly, saying it would be followed by a referendum on gaming in Bermuda in due course.According to a [...]

By: Not democratic at all

Not democratic at all — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 11:09:15 +0000

All I’m doing is pointing out the obvious … at least to some people , that the whole thing has to be very clearly thought out.

Yes it is up to everyone interested to show up and vote , but on an issue such as independance the minimum requirements should be at least 70% of voter participation with a min of 70% in favour.

For gambling , probably not such a large number in favour is needed as it’s not as serious as independance.

By: mrwiggin

mrwiggin — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:42:58 +0000

No thank you.

I don’t disagree with gambling in a moral sense, but this would only have negative effects on Bermuda. The revenue would not be enough to be cost-effective, and Bermuda’s image will be at stake. Tourism destinations are all about theme these days, and there are plenty of place that are marketed completely around gambling. All or nothing, in other words. It’s not worth it in our particular case.

By: DarkSideOfTheMoon

DarkSideOfTheMoon — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 11:59:37 +0000

Sneak through the back door. If the 25% were to get their way into independence because the other 49% decided not to vote, then whose fault is it? If this is such a big deal to you then you need to make sure everyone votes.

By: DarkSideOfTheMoon

DarkSideOfTheMoon — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 11:55:57 +0000

You are correct that 25% will get their way, but it is still democratic. If the other 49% don’t vote it’s on them, but they do have the right to vote.

By: Not democratic at all

Not democratic at all — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:59:06 +0000

NOTHING goes down in Bermuda …ever !

It will just be marketed as a false new ‘premium destination’ with the same old lack of value for money.

I’m not against gambling per se , but it’s not going to make us more desireable in the long run or fix our tourism problems.
Just ask the people who used to be our repeat visitors throughout the 60′s and late 70′s. Gambling won’t even be mentioned .

By: Proud Brit!

Proud Brit! — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 23:48:22 +0000

Of course I would criticize their decision if I didnt agree with it – what a ridiculous statement! That’s what happens when you are in politics. By virtue of my vote, I permit them to act on my behalf – why do you vote?

The government dont want our opinion – they want a get out of jail referendum so they can dodge accountability once again.

By: Rumandcoke

Rumandcoke — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 22:26:57 +0000

Bermuda be wise and take note:

Citizens of Monaco are not allowed to gamble and not even allowed
to visit casinos there

By: Not democratic at all

Not democratic at all — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 16:43:45 +0000

+ 1

Can you just imagine 25% of the electorate taking us to independance ?

OBA , ANYONE , please look into this and speak up .
Everyone knows the PLP would love to sneak independance in through the back door any way they can and then proclaim to all that it was done through the democratic process of a referendum !

By: street wise

street wise — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 16:39:34 +0000

When the large hotels get their casinos, hopefully the profits will help reduce their room rates… opening up our market to the less wealthy. Those could be good consequences.

By: C.B.A.

C.B.A. — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 13:45:11 +0000

Hmmm…gambling coming into law before we’re even allowed to buy alcohol on Sundays?

By: Tolerate

Tolerate — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 13:28:43 +0000

Wow, scary stuff. Hate to think this thing passed quickly and half thought out on the coat-tail of Gambling, because it is seen as the new way to get us out of this ridiculous debt we have incurred.
The percentages first of all are completely mind boggling when you consider what may be on the line. Are we seriously considering using this frame work for such issues as Gambling and Independence? Really, how dumb are our opposition? Can they not see past the one point of speeding up the Referendum process which is the only part that makes any sense.
We are promised as Premier Cox says “Government is committed to fairness, TRANSPARENCY and propriety in the conduct of referendums” are you kidding me, is this the word of the week “transparency”. Please remove this word from all your speeches until you look it up in a dictionary for its true meaning. Since this word was introduced, we have seen NONE of it from this Government.
Later it states Ms Cox indicated that the rules can be customized for individual referendums, “including even with the percentage of the participation”. So at this point let’s just race this thing through and we’ll fine tune it to our liking as we start to use it.
I am totally lost for words on how this was passed with little fuss from the opposition. I believe the PLP is right about the OBA having NO direction.

By: Bermuda Is Another World

Bermuda Is Another World — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 11:48:19 +0000

I wouldn’t get to excited because if it turns out all in favor well see how long it sits on the shelf. Remember its election time your gonna see and hear many things coming from this government.

By: ?!!!

?!!! — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 11:09:49 +0000

The government wants your opinion, but you prefer them to just make one on your behalf?
Bet you will be the first one criticizing the decision.

By: WTF

WTF — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 05:57:32 +0000

Why a referendum? The government was elected…stop abdicating your authority and do what governments are supposed to do – make decisions. This government is a spineless joke.

By: Not democratic at all

Not democratic at all — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 19:01:58 +0000

What everyone really needs to be concerned about is what appears to be the very slack level of participation needed and a simple ‘majority’ .

Under what seems to have been announced here if only 51% of the electorate decided to participate in a referendum and 50% of them voted yes then technically 25% of the population will have their way !

If that isn’t scarey enough then ‘think independance’ !

By: Red Bird

Red Bird — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 17:10:43 +0000

If the vote is ‘yes’ to gambling, you will see further unraveling of the fabric of our society, unless there are strict controls like: only tourists can gamble – but I doubt it.

By: M.P.Mountbatten JP

M.P.Mountbatten JP — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 15:55:08 +0000

My answer is …NO !

By: SHOWANAX

SHOWANAX — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 13:53:26 +0000

Finally!!! The people get a say!
The only sad part is that I wish we were not dealing with Gambling as a necessary means of getting us out of financial trouble.

By: Cleancut

Cleancut — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 12:58:34 +0000

“A date for the first referendum will be determined and announced in the near future” I wonder what the second one will be?

By: Guy Carri

Guy Carri — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 12:17:41 +0000

Have the reffy on gaming AND capital punishment!

By: sandgrownan

sandgrownan — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 12:15:52 +0000

Referendums? Really? Referenda please.