BTA CEO & Gaming Commission On Casinos
We may have “sort of missed the casino boat” and while people who do come may enjoy casinos, it may not attract people like it could “have done five, six, maybe even 10 years ago when we first started talking about it.”
This was from Bermuda Tourism Authority CEO Charles Jeffers II as he was speaking during a live BNV interview recently, where he addressed a number of tourism related topics.
Short extract from the interview where the BTA CEO answers a question about gaming
Background
The topic of gaming has been around for some time, back in December 2014 the Casino Gaming Act passed in the House of Assembly and Senate, which theoretically allowed for casinos in Bermuda, and the Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission [BCGC] website notes they “commenced operations in 2015 based on the enactment of the Casino Gaming Act 2014.” However, over 7 years since the Bills passed in Parliament, the island does not yet have any casinos in operation.
BTA CEO Comments
When asked about gaming, Mr Jeffers told Bernews, “I think we’ve sort of missed the casino boat.”
“I don’t think people will come for a casino specifically. I do think that those who do come will enjoy the casino, but I think it’s like a pool, you have those for those who want to enjoy it. But I don’t think it’s going to attract people like it may have done five, six, maybe even 10 years ago when we first started talking about it.”
Casino Gaming Commission Comments
Bernews asked the Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission for an update on the possible expected timeline of gaming coming to fruition, and a spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Gaming Commission continues to work with the casino operator to ensure that all legislative and regulatory requirements are met before a final decision can be made on the casino licence and opening date.
“The very detailed legislative requirements take a considerable amount of time for the operator to prepare and the Commission to review. A specific date for the completion of this process has not yet been set but the parties involved are working collaboratively to ensure it is done as quickly as possible.”
The full BNV Interview with the BTA CEO
we have to be the laughing stock of all by now.
Premier says theyll be open before last year, this guys thinks different.
Seriously? Can our overpaid Government and overpaid BTA get on the same F**** page here? Casinos can generated money from local and overseas visitors when we have them. We need more amenities to attract as many visitors as possible and to be closer to what other jurisdictions provide so lets get on with it! We need to have at least one reasonably priced all-inclusive option in addition to the top priced options for those travelers who want that. Now just get on with it!
Burt’s yes-man not towing the party line! It would be funny if Bermuda wasn’t so tragically broke.
I wonder how much money the Casino Gaming Commission has cost the gov currently. Almost 8 years to try to sort it out. Shake my head, no wonder we are the most expensive country in the world. People get paid to do what….
Mr. Jeffers is unfortunately exactly right !!!!!
One minute sound bite by a discouraged Tourism “cheerleader”? In my opinion, casinos are an amenity worth offering to enhance “low season” tourism, no doubt about it. Together with live entertainment in lounges we need to get back to what people expect when vacationing.