Bahamas Voters Say ‘No’ To Gambling Proposal

January 30, 2013

Voters in the Bahamas have rejected proposals legalising web-shop gambling and a national lottery during a referendum held on Monday [Jan 28].

The majority of Bahamians voted “no” to the questions: “Do you support the regulation and taxation of web shop gaming” and “Do you support the establishment of a National Lottery?”

The Bahamas Tribune reports that less than 50% of registered voters participated, while the AP reports that the “islands’ powerful church lobby and the political opposition fiercely opposed any legalized betting for locals. Religious leaders were thrilled by the measure’s defeat.”

In a statement released yesterday, Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie said: ”In keeping with my Government’s commitment to abide by the will of the electorate as expressed on Monday’s referendum, it has now become necessary to effect the closure of all web-shop gaming operations in The Bahamas.

“Accordingly, all offending web-shop owners and operators are placed on notice that all their gaming operations, including all online gaming and the numbers games, must cease with immediate effect.

“Failure to do so will leave all such web shop owners, operators and web shop gaming patrons exposed to arrest and criminal prosecution without further notice or warning.”

The possibility of legalising additional gambling in Bermuda has been a subject of discussion for years, with proponents citing the potential boost to tourism, while opponents warn against it expressing concerned over possible social ramifications.

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Comments (7)

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  1. LOPITU says:

    THIS IS STUPID

  2. Serious though says:

    You don’t leave in Bahamas to understand this.. Social issues, imagine Bermuda with gang violence and gambling

  3. Joonya says:

    Irrelevant. Bahamas tourism numbers far exceeds ours. Their product doesnt need resuscitation like ours.

  4. Waynes World says:

    No surprise here. You are talking about a country where church leaders and “christians” met disembarking passengers of a gay cruise with anti gay chants and banners, something that also happened here on our island at least once. Oh – don’t forget to come out and support the Church for BINGO night.

  5. smh says:

    ok.. since when did anything that happens in the Bahamas have to do with Bermuda? Bahama’s tourism is no where near as WUTLESS as Bermuda’s so how about we mind our own business and focus on us for now.. thanks.. and as long as these so called religious nuts are in power Bermuda’s tourism industry will NEVER get any better. How about you put down the Bible for two seconds and go pick up a copy of “Tourism for Dummies”. and for the religious community of Bermuda mostly if not all christians.. (If that’t what you want to call yourself) Don’t complain when the government decides not to allow gaming and tourism gets worst because of lack of development.. its YOU who supported their decision.. and don’t give me that “Oh gambling is a sin” B.S and act like ya never sinned before.. if you don’t like gaming just “SIMPLY” don’t play.. how hard is it to mind ya own d@mn business and allow people their free will.. then ya going to judge those who do.. I’m not religious but didn’t that book you all are fond of say “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you”.. that will be all. (And this isn’t to offend anyone not all Christians the same.)