Video: Premier Discusses Gaming Referendum
On Friday [May 18] Premier Craig Cannonier responded to Opposition Leader Marc Bean’s comments about the lack of movement on a gaming referendum.
The Premier — who was celebrating his 50th birthday — said they are looking at the framework of gaming, and what it should look like in Bermuda if Bermuda decides to proceed with it.
“I don’t want to put an exact date on it, because again this is a collaborative effort we need to be talking to PLP, and sometimes that can lengthen out the process..” said the Premier. “But again it is our endeavour to bring it before the House this session.”
“I don’t want to give a specific date, but certainly this session. We believe it needs to go to referendum. This is a decision the OBA took. It did not take the decision that yes we are for gaming, no we aren’t for gaming – that it go to referendum and let the people of Bermuda decide.”
Earlier that day Opposition Leader Marc Bean noted it has been five months into the One Bermuda Alliance’s term, and said “we have seen no movement” on a gaming referendum and the “Government is silent on this important issue.”
According to a Government-commissioned study done by the New Orlean’s based Innovation Group done under the old administration, gaming could add nearly 3,000 jobs and up to $146 million a year to Bermuda’s economy.
Some of the island’s religious community is in strong opposition to gaming, with religious groups combining to form a group ‘United to Change’ to work to oppose any change to the law.
Read More About
Category: All, News, Politics, Videos
apparently the pee l pee would like to oba to do everything in 5 months that they didn’t do in 14 years. unbelievable.
It’s called planning before acting. It helps avoid cock-ups and the need to reverse failed legislation. Take note Mr. Bean.
How much more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ do we have to spend….
Lord have mercy….
The INNOVATION REPORT cost 6 figures…..USE IT
Please, OBA and PLP, lets not drag this out any longer. Lets let the cruise ships operate their casinos after 10:00pm (or whatever time) while in port. That should make them more profitable and make Bermuda a financially more attractive solution. This was something that the PLP talked about and I feel that it was a good and fair option.
Also, lets set a date and make this referendum happen. Lets talk about it, debate it, argue about it and then vote on it. Simple choices
a) are you in favor of gaming – YES or NO
b) if you are in favor of gaming should locals be allowed in the casinos.
c) If yes, should we be allowed always or a limited amount of times per year.
Personally I would like to see gaming in Bermuda as I trust it will give the visitors something to do, create jobs, bring entertainment, and possibly add to our economy.
Should I be allowed to be – yes (up to 5 times a year max)
The gambling discussion needs to be a high priority, our tourism product is old and dusty. The cruise ships should be granted permission immediately it will not hurt local business and will create some profit for the cruise lines.A Casino will create jobs and offer much needed entertainment to all of our visitors. There will be those that oppose this saying it will take food from some families because there will be some who gamble what little they have.Well sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and it could be legislated that only guests staying in hotels which could include locals be given access. One thing is for sure if we do nothing don’t expect a change.
You have to forgive Craig, as he needs permission to say things from the true leaders of the OBA. We all know that he’s not the one callings the shoots. They pulled Craig out of a hat like a rabbit and it worked, so for now I’m stuck with him until the party tells him to take a back seat. He might make it till next election, because removing him as leader will cause a rift.
Not permission but collaboration. It’s better, or more conducive than the dictatorial styles of a certain previous leadership. Wouldn’t you agree..?
He’s a WABBIT nothing more then a pawn to win votes. Complete waste comes to mind Bermuda already agrees..!
If that is true (i..e being a pawn and what not) all it exemplifies is the racist nature of the Bermuda electorate as they would not vote for another “more intelligent” person simply due to the color of their skin…
You are just part of the problem IMO
Well we know that already. No PLP or swing voters would vote for Grant Gibbons to be premier in the 2003 election.
Yea I’m part of the problem but so is the OBA for not placing a white man as leader. As they only keep placing black men and 1 black woman to appeal to the races!!! That’s the only reason Craig is there. Say it’s not so? They wouldn’t even consider placing Gibbons or Dunkley as the leader. People are not stupid Bermuda understands why this party put him where he is. Color!!!!!!!!!
That’s your opinion and one you need to be true in order to rationalize why you hate the OBA so much and believe the PLP is the obly Party for this island.
Despite your ignorant beliefs whiet and black people can work together for a common purpose as has been the case in BDA for generations. And the OBA isn’t more white then black and is ultimately a much bettert representation of our local demographics then the PLP ever has or probably will be.
And like I said you are part of the problem because you worry about the skin color of a person before the content of their character. So people that think like that are pretty much stupid despite your protestations.
PS: Premier Cannonier was voted in by all eligble OBA members and as such he was not placed there by his fellow OBAers. So try and speak the truth when you spew your hatred for the Government at least.
“Premier Cannonier was voted in by all eligble OBA members and as such he was not placed there by his fellow OBAers.”
By fellow OBAers I mean his fellow MPs and Senators.
@ JMad
Cannonier is the Madarin on Iron Man movie. Stop playing. Stop trying to convince ya self. He’s only there as a front. The OBA won, a win is a win. No matter the tactic.
Maybe Dunkley and Gibbons want to take a backseat, they have both been leader of their now extinct party, and both have had the stress of being leader of a party going into an election, which they both didn’t win , 2003 and 2007 respectively. Maybe they are tired, too old and don’t want the stress of being leader of the party! have you thought about that? they have lost elections, why do it all over again, and instead let new fresh younger people with innovative ideas to takeover!
Personally I don’t trust our fellow Bermudians to run and operate casinos efficiently and productively!
Bermudians would rather gamble then act as a croupier, or pit boss!
I believe if we have a casino, we would have to have expats run it properly!
I personally don’t want to be down the casino one night, and win a bit of money, only to find out the next morning that the whole island knows of my winnings! This island is too small.
Plus I don’t want to gamble at the tables and there’s the likes you get down the Beach on a Friday night, drunk next to you swearing and cursing.
If we have a casino, it should only be open to the tourists!
On another note RE Bermudian workforce
I was down a supermarket today shopping, and there were children helping to pack groceries to raise money for their soccer trip abroad, except the children weren’t packing but their parents, when I went outside there were the children shouting out loud that they were on a break, and shouting about who was going on their break next! We teach them young don’t we?!
I wish he would grow a pair. Make the hard decisions and lead this country into the new future. I’ll let evryone else tell me what to do and how to do it. Not the words of a True Leader. Are You still stepping down in September? Bermuda needs a True Leader
shut up you idiot, hes the best leader the country has right now, plp are hopeless
NO Dunkley is the best leader you have. I may not vote for him but he has my respect. This new Premier doesn’t have a clue on what he’s doing. He reminds me of the Mandarin from Iron Man 3 movie. Go see the movie and then you’ll understand what I’m talking about lolololol.
I just watched the video. Craig Cannonier clearly has NO CLUE!
FORGET about a stupid Referendum. JUST DO IT! Draft the legislation and GET ON WITH IT. For cryinoutloud! How much more time has to pass us by before we DO SOMETHING.
Just let the cruises open their casinos and that’ll be a start.