By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
MARSH HARBOUR- Prime Minister Perry Christie says a date will be set for the gambling referendum after he holds next week’s cabinet meeting.
Mr Christie, who spoke to The Tribune in Treasure Cay during the North Abaco bye-election, said that with elections concluded, focus could now be placed on the gambling referendum and a date set for it to be held.
In August he said that the referendum would take place after the bye-election.
“I have now moved the focus from here and I’m focused on that (gambling referendum),” he said yesterday. “So, yes, you could expect to come to me soon. Give me one cabinet meeting and you can come and talk to me.
“I’m having detailed discussions with my advisors and really we’re doing it on all fronts. We’re doing it with respect to improving, and strengthening, and making more attractive, the casino regulations and the kinds of games they play, making us more competitive.
“At the same time, we’re focusing on the web operations and when I make the next communication, which is going to be a very serious communication based on the concerns that my advisors have with respect to web operations, if they are not regulated, we’re going to have a meeting for that.”
Asked if the referendum would still take place before 2013, he said: “I would like to, most certainly.
“I have not changed anything about me in that regard. The only question I have is whether or not I have a working situation with the lottery, whether that’s feasible given the size of our population and having to depend on the Americans to do it.
“It means that most of your winnings will go into America, so I’m not sure that this is what we’re doing but certainly web operations, there is a compelling necessity to do something about it.”
In August, when Prime Minister Christie announced that the referendum would take place he said there would be a 30-day period between calling the referendum and voting day, so that people could be educated about the issues.
This will include debates, panel discussions and published position papers, the Prime Minister said.
He said the referendum will not extend to any other forms of gambling, including casino gambling.
The referendum will be like a general election, except that instead of voting for a particular candidate, voters will be voting on specific question and marking an “X” in either the yes or no box provided on the ballots.
Those eligible to vote in the last general election, whether they did so or not, will be eligible to vote in the referendum and will not need to register again, said the Prime Minister.
Mr Christie said people who were not registered for the May 7 elections, but are eligible to vote, can do so provided they register 10 days before the fixed referendum date.
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