PM: Flowers would not suffer any negative impact if 'no' vote wins

As of Wednesday, January 23, 2013

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

A MOVE by FML Group of Companies CEO Craig Flowers to close down his web shops in the event of a No referendum victory is a private decision, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday.

Craig Flowers

However, he suggested that Mr Flowers would not suffer any negative impact if the numbers racket is not legalised, as he has operations which stretch beyond the Bahamas.

FML’s chief has said that should Bahamians vote no next Monday, he would be the first one to close down all of his web shops without remorse.

“Mr Flowers, I am advised,” Mr Christie said, “is licensed in the Turks and Caicos Islands to conduct gaming. I presume that he is able to do that and still conduct his internet gaming from the Turks and Caicos. I don’t want to suggest anything otherwise.”

Mr Christie further admitted that the government has struggled with how it will tackle internet gaming moving forward.

“Internet gaming its a very difficult subject, gaming in itself and the impossibility of stopping people from doing what they want to (is difficult).

“Laws haven’t been designed by man that have effectively stopped any kind of illegal, illicit or irregular operation.

“So one can only, insofar as representing the government of the Bahamas, put in place the laws and the policies that will help us to deal with the issue if there is a no vote.”

Mr Christie told reporters last week that his administration would face a serious problem if Bahamians said no to the numbers industry.

He was referring to unemployment numbers and the difficulty of eradicating webshops.

It is said that the industry employs around 3,000 persons, however Vote No representatives have called that figure into question.

They claim that web shop bosses have only paid NIB contributions for around 700 workers.

Mr Christie said: “We are going to have a real situation that we would be confronted by for a no vote, because yes these people will either have to go deeper underground illegally or we will have to find a way to find alternative employment for them.”

It is said that Mr Flowers owns 12 locations in New Providence one in Grand Bahama and another in Abaco.

He employs 400 persons.

TalRussell 11 years, 3 months ago

PM done mess this up so much he got everyone scratching they heads? Even the numbers 'bosses" asking the PM. What the hell just happened here, only days before January 28?

TalRussell 11 years, 3 months ago

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exgraphix 11 years, 3 months ago

Dear Mr. Prime Minister, What makes you think that we are concerned about whether or not Mr. Flowers would suffer? How many TENS of MILLIONS of dollars has this man already gained from this illegal venture? Please try hard and be serious.

John 11 years, 3 months ago

Please give PM Perry Gladstone Christie a "YES" shirt. He does not talk like he has a horse in this race, He speaks as if he stands to lose the whole stable if the nation votes no!

Concerned 11 years, 3 months ago

So the Prime Minister is moonlighting as the official spokesperson for Mr. Flowers. How is it that the PM knows all the intricacies of the man's business and coming forward to defend and speak on his behalf. Perry Christie is getting absolutely pathetic now. This is so unbecoming of the leader of a modern nation. He is Flowers crazed. Mama always say, "when you lay down with dog you ga get fleas". Clearly Mr. Christie is itching for a Yes vote next week.

Stephen 11 years, 3 months ago

It is said by whom that Mr. Flowers employs 400 people? Nice round number isn't it? Did Mr. Flowers say this? We need to know the source so that we may attach credibility to the assertions...