Locals Want To Gamble

And, to own casinos.

The case of Lyford Cay resident Robert Halat has highlighted the fact that the country’s gaming laws are "archaic and out of touch with reality," according to the newly formed Committee For Gaming Reform (CFGR).

Halat, a 78-year-old Lyford Cay resident, was charged with breach of the gaming laws in Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. However, the charges were later dismissed for no obvious reason.

The gaming reform committee contends that the Bahamian gaming laws are arcane and discriminatory by nature.

The committee believes the laws are also out of step with conventional and fundamental democratic principles.

"Our hope is that the decision to drop charges against Mr. Halat signifies a willingness on the part of government to open discussion of gaming law reform," CFGR spokesman Sidney Strachan said.

According to him, the committee intends to fight for reform of the current gaming laws that prohibit Bahamian citizens and permanent residents from gambling in the country.

"This is probably the only jurisdiction where citizens can’t participate in gaming but non citizens can come in participate and benefit, then take that same money out of the country," Mr. Strachan said.

He told the Journal that legalizing gambling could only help the country’s economic state.

The committee believes it would also open more doors for even bigger opportunities for Bahamians.

"Imagine a Bahamian being able to own a casino; it then opens up new areas for Bahamian workers. Not only Bahamians would gamble in Bahamian casinos but tourists could also opt to gamble in Bahamian-owned casinos as well," Mr. Strachan said.

He believes the money earned from gambling could go towards a lot of worthwhile causes.

Mr. Strachan pointed out that there is already a lot of illegal gambling going on and until the government takes steps to legalize gambling, the illegal activity will continue.

"It’s fostering a lot more illegal activity, which really in the long run will have a much more negative impact on us as a people."

Mr. Strachan said that the committee has adopted a focused plan of action with the goal of seeing the laws changed and causing a sharp reduction if not elimination of illegal gaming activity at the expense of the public treasury. 

"We are looking into addressing this from a legal, social and economic stand point. We are looking touch on every angle we possibly can and further educate and inform the Bahamian people about these discriminatory gaming laws."

"Even if there is a change to the Gaming Act as it stands Bahamians still need to be educated to some degree so there can be some controls in place."

"We don’t want it to be legalized without any controls in place, but we want this to be done systematically."

Mr. Strachan said that the committee plans to meet with the Chairman of the Gaming Board Malcolm Adderley in the not too distant future.

He reiterated that gaming is a fundamental element of the overall tourism development strategy of the Bahamas.

"The country’s gaming law is contradictory, awkward and an impediment to economic growth. Common sense says the laws need to be reformed," Mr. Strachan contends.