Comments on: MPs Pass Casino Bill In House Of Assembly

By: Creamy

Creamy — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 11:33:12 +0000

He said “a Bermudian came here”. I assumed “here” means here, in Bermuda. A Bermudian came home to get a job in a casino.
What did you think it meant, over there in the UK?

By: Valirie Marcia Akinstall

Valirie Marcia Akinstall — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 09:43:10 +0000

Oh My, Creamy…

Who could you be referring to?

Bermudian? Home?

London, England

By: Rich

Rich — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 02:03:35 +0000

Actually, what Hillary Clinton proposed in 1993 was very different from what the Affordable Care Act sought out to achieve. The crux of it is the employment-based insurance mandate, which is a free-market solution that draws direct inspiration from Nixon’s proposals in 1970s, and which were eventually repackaged by the Conservative-leaning CATO institute and enacted in Massachusetts under Mitt Romney. The Clinton plan went far beyond the enforced mandate and would have required insurance to be provided through heavily regulated HMOs. What the US has now is actually not all that dissimilar to what Bermuda has under the Health Insurance Acct 1970 (though we are not as generous in subsidizing middle class subscribers as the ACA is).

By: Rich

Rich — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 01:53:22 +0000

Atlantic City is a different kettle of fish. They had a very permissive, laissez-faire environment where anyone could set up shop and which led to over-saturation of the market. Bermuda’s legislation will only allow up to 3 integrated resort casino licences presumably because this is the maximum that our market can support.

By: Rich

Rich — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 01:44:56 +0000

Yes. Because Obama will sign a law overturning his signature reform.

By: PBanks

PBanks — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 17:16:54 +0000

While I’d be all for restricting people who are in arrears on child support or similar kinds of debt from partaking in casino gambling, you shouldn’t block someone from doing what they want with their own money.

By: Dark Star

Dark Star — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 16:41:11 +0000

How many Bermudians who want to work in the industries they are qualified to work in are actually out of work???

By: Creamy

Creamy — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 10:22:59 +0000

Court Street? Oh no, that already has one doesn’t it.

By: Creamy

Creamy — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 10:18:40 +0000

So a Bermudian came home?

By: MAKE MY DAY

MAKE MY DAY — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 01:56:31 +0000

Odummercare will be *OVERTURNED* by the new GOP controlled Congress starting in January/15!!! Take it to-the-bank!!

By: MAKE MY DAY

MAKE MY DAY — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 01:50:31 +0000

That is what everybody says about their own Island in the Caribbean!!!

By: MAKE MY DAY

MAKE MY DAY — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 01:48:00 +0000

I’m afraid to say….Don’t count-your-chickens just yet!!!

By: MAKE MY DAY

MAKE MY DAY — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 01:46:20 +0000

****BINGO****….But that is going to be *OVERTURNED* by the new GOP controlled Congress starting on the 1st of January/15!!! Take it to the bank!!

By: MAKE MY DAY

MAKE MY DAY — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 01:43:34 +0000

Wishful thinking!!!

By: say it aint so

say it aint so — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 23:56:13 +0000

Now all the out of work Atlantic City workers will get jobs. I know someone, married to a Bermudian, who came here just to work for the casinos. His wife too. They were waiting for this.

By: True Bermudian

True Bermudian — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 21:32:22 +0000

Shame on you Bermuda.

By: Creamy

Creamy — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 17:58:18 +0000

They’re paid to read it before they vote on it, and if it’s 117 pages there is no reason why they can’t do that.

By: Hmmm

Hmmm — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 16:39:17 +0000

Kathy, stop mothering people.
We the people can make our own decisions.

By: ROGER LAMBERT

ROGER LAMBERT — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 16:31:30 +0000

I’m happy it has passed this leg of the journery. I’m sure the Senate will pass it too, maybe a little tweaking. BDA can have International Poker Tournaments here, broadcasted over ESPN etc. making Revenue, more jobs, income for the average Person & Business. This Gaming offers another form of Entertainment for Tourist & Maybe Locals, them under certain rules & restrictions.

By: ROGER LAMBERT

ROGER LAMBERT — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 16:22:11 +0000

TRUE ZARIO, A NEEDED PANACEA

By: Canadian opinion

Canadian opinion — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 16:18:24 +0000

I think this is great. Lots of jobs, great for tourism, make the island prosperous once again

By: Build a Better Bermuda

Build a Better Bermuda — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 15:30:13 +0000

You are missing an important fact about a gaming referendum, the majority didn’t want one. Despite the repeated claims that the OBA don’t listen to the people, they heard this and we’re confident enough in the feedback they were getting from the people to go ahead and drop that platform promise. In doing so, they saved Bermudians thousands of dollars in an unwanted referendum.
As for the PLP rolling the dice, their not in government, they can afford too. And so far what we have gotten has been proposals in the house that are lack luster, not well thought out, lacking in required substance and falling short of the required marks and they seem more intent to put these forward for political points than public interest. Cases in point; anti-conscription bill, cannabis bill, the housing inquiry and their latest interest rates adjustment and May 24th amendment.
I will admit, when it come the the May 24th, I am in an agreement to a degree. My proposal would be that we keep the set holiday date, but that we break up the events running the derby on the holiday and the parade the Saturday or Sunday before or after the holiday date. Where the holiday lands on the weekend days we have the Friday off for a 3 day weekend. In having the parade to a day, we can start it earlier and allow more time for those involved to recover after.

By: Valirie Marcia Akinstall

Valirie Marcia Akinstall — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 15:29:28 +0000

@Portia and Help

If you know anything about American politics, essentially about the healthcare plan known as Obamacare, then you would know that the person who initiated and started the public hearings working towards drafting the legislation was Hillary Clinton.

Mrs Clinton as the First Lady (Democrat) attempted to fulfil her husband’s election campaign promise to provide affordable healthcare to the most vulnerable and/or least able in the US.

The Republicans were strongly against Mrs Clinton taking on this high profile role as their major criticism was, “she was never hired to run the US, Bill Clinton was.” So, she was forced to abandon the healthcare initiative during her husband’s years in office.

But the Democrats, especially John Kerry (now Secretary of State) and the late Ed Kennedy never lost sight of this worthwhile goal on behalf of the most vulnerable in the US.

The Democrats again brought this initiative forward when both Kerry and Kennedy backed Obama as the Democratic candidate for president, and although Clinton ran against Obama and lost the nomination, she gave both Obama the legislative framework as he took the credit ‘Obamacare’ and carried it forward to become law.

So, how long did it take for the draft legislation to become law? Did the Democrats hold widespread, transparent public hearing on healthcare in the US? How long did it take in both Houses as the Republicans went through line by line of legislation as they worked, agreed, disagreed, compromised, amended, etc before it was passed into law?

Certainly not passed without a whimper as this Gaming Act was.

I once worked for the US Consulate General in Bermuda, and unlike the Honourable House of Parliament in Bermuda, the Americans take their legislation seriously and would not think to ‘wander aimlessly through legislation without a second thought’ of the foreseeable consequences to the American people.

And as there will be most likely rebuttal from the masked critics who will claim me to be a ‘pathological liar’ about working for the US Consulate General in Bermuda, please feel free to call and confirm.

@Help – please take the time and opportunity to ‘die laughing’ about the integrity Obamacare.

By: Creamy

Creamy — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 15:17:10 +0000

When they sit in the house, they have already has the chance to review the legislation they are debating. That’s the point.

By: Dude

Dude — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 14:31:15 +0000

Morgan’s Point maybe?

By: jt

jt — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 14:12:32 +0000

I think both you and the PLP are having difficulty keeping up with the pace of progress over the last month or so.
On another note, Marc Bean commented in the house that the OBA were the worst government in recent memory. Can anything he says be taken seriously?
Fact is, the only way the OBA were ever getting re-elected was to put people to work and put more money in the people’s pockets. It looks like that will be happening and with pristine timing leading to the next election. Mr.Bean and his party know it and they know they have no political tactic to win the next election.

By: Coffee

Coffee — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 14:06:19 +0000

We are special .

By: Triangle Drifter

Triangle Drifter — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 13:52:28 +0000

You miss the point don’t you. It has been acknowledged over & over that gambling is not going to be the almighty saviour of Bermudas tourism, just as nobody goes anywhere just to sleep in a bed that is most likely not as comphy as the one they have at home.

Like the hotel pool, bar, spa, golf course, beach, any other onsite activity, the gambling will be another revenue point to make money on. The guest uses it or not at their choice.

By: unus sed leo

unus sed leo — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 13:25:20 +0000

It is also alright to be yourself and be happy.

By: aceboy

aceboy — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 12:45:13 +0000

Are you talking about PATI? The proposed legislation that was passed but never enacted by the PLP? Don’t make me laugh. Were they the real people who kept using the excuse “It is immoral but not illegal?” Yet here you are talking about morality?

By: Melting butter

Melting butter — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 12:40:31 +0000

They prepare after the vote/. Prepare when they get public feedback. By the way, we were always told the churches opposed it. Not a whimper or a sigh from them. Oops……it was Bingo night for them.

By: Help

Help — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 12:38:49 +0000

That is so funny. I have been laughing for 10 mins.

By: Hail Hail the gang's all here

Hail Hail the gang's all here — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 12:37:58 +0000

It passed without a whimper because in the coffee room the truth is always told “I am really for casinos.” But when they speak on the floor of the House you get what the public want to hear. So being so conflicted on this one, they got it done in record breaking time and we will see where we are at in 5 years time. We are NOT in the business. Too costly and no entertainment product.

By: Cafe Au Lait

Cafe Au Lait — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 12:29:05 +0000

Just because some badly run casino closed in Atlanta is no reason for us not to open one or two here.

I’m sure some restaurants have closed in Atlanta too. So should we stop eating?

Your comment doesn’t make much sense.

By: Allspice

Allspice — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 12:13:13 +0000

Whatever you and I think is irrelevant in this case since nobody ever asked. There should have been a referendum but there wasn’t because they were afraid that they would lose. It’s a PLP style tactic. Basically the people only get to choose when government feels sure that they will get a favorable result. For this reason you will never see a referendum on this island ever again because it is not politically expedient.
Screw the public. They are too stupid to know what they want.

By: kindley

kindley — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 03:51:19 +0000

Big mistake.

By: Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar

Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 03:46:45 +0000

I’m neither here nor there about the casinos, as I doubt they’re going to do much other than adding another option for tourists.

But I have to say a huge heck no to anything like the follies. That introduction marked a huge demise in local entertainment and we need to promote our homegrown artists. We’ve got some great ones.

By: Takbir Karriem Sharrieff

Takbir Karriem Sharrieff — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 03:22:14 +0000

Common sense …if someone steals your identity under your nom -de- plume…maybe you should try revealing your true name ….then you can prosecute them under the law for impersonating your identity….but …maybe that’s too much to ask of you ..! Is that your knees that I hear knocking or is it your teeth chattering….or maybe its the sound of heels clicking away in the distance at the very mention of this option…oh well some would fly under the radar….!It is your right of freedom of choice that real people won for you…….under the Freedom of Information Act……..

By: duh

duh — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 03:16:37 +0000

I see only 3 casinos allowed.. if john swan owns one… lol

By: foolishness

foolishness — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 02:36:58 +0000

If casinos in Atlantic city are closing what makes this government think that casinos will thrive. If people in America will not drive 15 minutes to gamble why would they jump on a plane to fly to Bermuda to gamble ..

By: Really

Really — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 01:16:32 +0000

You seem to be only complaining because you may have a job. Selfishness is the “Devils” work so maybe your on the wrong team..

By: Build a Better Bermuda

Build a Better Bermuda — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 00:23:52 +0000

Completely agree, this is merely an addition to our tourism product, and how we as locals can benefit will depend on how the establishments choose to run their shops. We will only really see any real job creation out of this if they set up full service casinos, and not just gaming machine rooms.
The fact remains that the underling reason for our difficulty to be competitive as a tourism market, to other markets elsewhere in the world lies with our higher wages. The least skilled worker in our hospitality industry here can make anywhere between 5 – 10 times more than many other jurisdictions that we compete with, so there really is no way to be able to compete on room rates with them. Since our higher cost of living means lowering wages is out of he equation, then it comes down to how we market ourselves, and casino gaming marketed right could provide a boost. If it isn’t marketed right or not a all, it really won’t do anything a all.
While I don’t agree with barring locals, I think they should be conducted as a guest only access at the hotels, meaning any local looking to gamble will need to get a room. It would even be beneficial for the hotels to find a way for that access to be spread to other hotels or guest facilities through some sort of access card agreement.

By: Pundit

Pundit — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 00:16:29 +0000

Hamilton Princess,Southampton Princess and who is the 3rd gaming license going to?

By: Passed Gas

Passed Gas — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 22:05:56 +0000

@Takbir Karriem Sharieff,

Judging by your comment I assume that you have never played a game of Bingo at the Church Hall, purchased a Raffle Ticket, placed a bet or entered any companies Sweepstakes?

Just because the have Crown and Anchor at Cupmetch,. should I call all those that participate in Cupmatch heathens?

I trust that you are one of those people that finds fault in others and never looks in the mirror,

By: lucky 7

lucky 7 — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 21:51:15 +0000

dude, open your mind!! You’re so stuck in your bubble, so sad.

By: lucky 7

lucky 7 — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 21:48:06 +0000

Ha! Ha! soooo funny! He’s prob writing an ‘opinion’ piece as we speak. Enjoy your Saturday night “tree hugger guy that complains about everything!”

By: Kathy

Kathy — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 21:07:35 +0000

Yes, casinos are o.k. but in other parts of the world they allow the tourists to partake but NOT the locals. I hope this will be the case in Bermuda! We don’t need casinos running away with our money!

By: tom cooke

tom cooke — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 20:01:04 +0000

While I am not botherd at all by the casinos coming here, I work to hard for my money to waste it in such a way. It will give the island another string to its tourism bow.. and like another poster said some decent entertainment. .. bring back the follies. .. then we will be talking… and I will be more than happy to build while not them all maybe a couple of em..lol.

By: Common Sense

Common Sense — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 19:32:23 +0000

I often agree with Takbir but on this issue I strongly disagree with his point of view. No one can seriously expect “quick money” pouring out of the gambling operations, nor will they be a panacea for our economy, but we have to provide a variety entertainment for visitors, and this will be one extra string to our bow and will also provide some additional employment.

No one is trying to deceive anyone here. Both of our political parties have supported the concept of having some casino gambling in Bermuda and it is plain wrong to suggest that this is “evil” in any way.

Sorry if someone else is now using my nom de plume “Common Sense” which I have been using for several years. Perhaps Bernews can advise who has been using it longest, and I would be happy to change if it is not me. However, it seems that the other “Common Sense” writer shares many of my opinions!

By: Creamy

Creamy — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 19:02:16 +0000

You think they sit there in the House looking at it for the first time? They’re supposed to prepare.