Betting Licences Expired As Of March 31st
“All four betting licences have expired, and betting shops must cease operation as of the end of March 31st,” the Bermuda Gaming Commission announced.
A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Gaming Commission’s remit was expanded in August of last year to include the regulation of betting shops. Part of the transfer of responsibilities to the Commission included a new and more robust regulatory framework for betting shops in Bermuda.
“These changes are intended to ensure that gaming is conducted honestly and to reduce societal harm [e.g. provisions prohibiting minors on premises]. The process for developing this new regulatory framework and legislation was initiated over two years ago and included extensive industry consultations.
“The new legislation, the Betting Act 2021, establishes very specific requirements for the operation of betting shops in Bermuda. The Commission has over the last several months reached out to existing operators [licensees] and prospective betting shop operators to ensure that they were aware of these requirements.
“Existing operators were also aware that all licences expire on March 31st of this year, and that they were required by law to file their renewal application at least 3 months prior to the expiry of their licence.
“There were 4 betting operators licensed in Bermuda operating 5 betting shops – however, in the last several months, only 3 of these licensed operators were open for business. The Commission extended the deadline for the submission of the renewal for all applications by 30 days to January 31, 2022.
“The Commission further extended the deadline for the filing of applications for two of the betting shops who requested it. Whilst the Commission can and has exercised discretion in the handling of the applications, there are some prescribed legislative requirements where the Commission has no discretion. One such legislative requirement is that all licences expire on March 31st and the Commission has no legislative authority to extend licences beyond that date in the absence of a complete application.
“Regrettably, the Commission has not received one complete application that meets all mandatory statutory requirements from existing licensees for renewal by the deadline of March 31st. As a result, all four betting licences have expired, and betting shops must cease operation as of the end of March 31st.
“The Commission will continue to work with applicants once they have submitted a complete application as required by the legislation and will support all applicants in this process.”
WOW the highly paid overly worked game commission actautly has done something. I am stunned. They will have gambling on mars before we do. They earned their salaries there.
“These changes are intended to ensure that gaming is conducted honestly and to reduce societal harm [e.g. provisions prohibiting minors on premises]”
Ok seriously? It’s taken the BCGC over 7 years and millions of our $ to come up with a plan to prohibit minors from betting clubs?
You can’t be serious?!? Give me a break! Time to send these commissioners home!!!
Makes you wonder if these “applications” were by design, and created by some in government to “teach a lesson” to one of their former leaders. Or is this the governments / gaming commissions way of getting rid of them so that the new Casinos don’t have to compete!
Meanwhile – Bingo and other gambling activities will be available this weekend at a number of local churches. Things that make you go Hmmmmm!
What time is the March? What happened to The peoples campaign and all of those other “non political” activist group that coincidentally disappeared the minute the PLP became government! Read beTWEED the lies!
How many of you are better off today than you were 6 years ago. What has YOUR government done for you. The truthful answer for 98% of people is nothing! How many of you that are not “friends or family” have more money in your bank account because than you did 6 years ago. Did you travel more? Did you buy a house OR lose your home!
50 years of sports betting, no problems and government had a 20% tax on betting. Now all of a sudden we are down to zero! C’mon, there is much more to this storey!