117-Page Casino Gaming Act Tabled In House
Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell tabled the Casino Gaming Act 2014 in the House of Assembly on Friday [Nov 28], with the 117-page document seeking to pave the way to legalise casino gaming in Bermuda.
Approximately one year ago, the Government announced that they would not hold a referendum on gambling as was initially planned, with the matter to be decided by a vote in Parliament.
Speaking previously, Minister Crockwell said, “Following an extensive review and analysis, the government has decided to embrace the Integrated Casino Resort model for Bermuda. Although we will be unique and maintain our special Bermuda brand this model is similar to the Aruban and Singaporean casino models.”
“Casino Gaming is not a panacea but a much needed amenity for our tourism product. We must augment our tourism offerings and we must enhance our tourism infrastructure.
“The data shows that with the implementation of responsible and well regulated casino gaming we can attract new high-end hotel brands and additional hotel inventory.”
The Casino Gaming Act 2014 follows below [PDF here]:
Well done. Just “bring it” that was what Mr. Bean said, so here it is.
I guess the government has not been following news from the US east coast that as of last year several casinos have closed in Las Vegas, and some like the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City is slated to close this year.
This already seems a dead dud deal. One has to ask why government is pushing this deal so aggressively. Has all the home-work been done before we are left with another economic elephant draining our already stagnant economy?
They are pushing it because Bermuda is not competitive. New hotels are going up all over the world, except here. Hotel owners want the additional revenue stream and the investment goes to Countries that allow it.
It’s pretty simple really.
Fun fact, several people within government, not gonna say which side, have already applied for casino liscenses, since last year.
Discredit my statement all you want, but I know what I read is the truth.
My question, though I have yet to read the above document, may seem a bit ignorant, but……can anyone apply for a casino liscense?? Considering certain elected officials have already applied for 3 themselves……………..
No.
The casino license must be tied to a NEW hotel development.
Is this a bit like someone bringing in two limos just as the law is changed allowing the importation of that exact type of limo?
… and on top of that receiving a special duty exemption (advertised in the paper no less) so they only had to pay 10% instead of the regular blended rate of 75/150% !!!
How can they have applied for a licence if there is no legislation covering the application for a license?
Perhaps they have wrote a letter of interest.
Or perhaps it hasn’t happened at all, since it doesn’t make any sense to begin with.
How can one apply for a license if the legislation governing same hasn’t even been promulgated? Your statement doesn’t need to be discredited because it’s an impossibility to begin with.
I agree that casino gaming, and all forms of gaming, being available in Bermuda. However, let’s not exclude the ‘average’ Bermudian’s from owning a piece of the action by limiting casinos to hotels/resorts
If an aspiring Bermudian wishes to open a small, intimate casino, I think they should be allowed to do so…without the need to own/operate a hotel first.
Also, why limit casino licenses to only 3? Give entrepreneurs the opportunity to explore this new opportunity.
I prefer to be able to purchase shares in a casino rather than have a collection of small outfits in bars and nooks & crannies with one-armed bandits and pokey machines.
I’ve not read through the bill as yet. Is there any requirement that these casinos to be listed on the BSX with an IPO that is affordable to the average person? For example, a $10 share price instead of a $10000 share price.
Ride
The penalties for minors being in a casino would be meted out only to the minors not the casino?
Is Mrs Minors saying, that punishment would be administered to Mr Minors when he gets home?
Someone definitely going to want to open a Casino up at PHC, then Dandy Town going want a licence, then Cougars, Blvd, Rangers, SCC, StGCC, St. Davids…the list is almost endless
Do they have 200 rooms?
about ******* time make sure you guys include proper table game rooms and security… i smell a robbery
having more than 3 licenses would be stupid, one would be enough. casinos need a high revenue for costs and payouts. maybe one in dockyard and one in st georges. one in hamilton is a bad idea keep casinos away from town. having casinos on both ends of the islands would keep would keep affiliated hostiles away from eachother to avoid shootings and me getting shot while playing poker no thank you. also having casinos would also help existing and new restaurants and businesses in the area. dont forget to add smoking rooms/patios + new dance club. bless legalize ganja
Blackjack anyone!
If you think we have crime now – just wait – take a quick flight to Atlantic City, NJ and take a few steps outside the casino!!!
I think the only way they should pass this legislation is to disallow all Bermudians from entering. They do this in many parts of the world – you have to show your passport to enter.
Let the foreigners come in and spend the money but don’t corrupt our own society! We have enough problems of our own!