By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@tribunmedia.net
ISLAND Luck CEO Sebas Bastian yesterday charged that he would not “cop out” on the gaming industry as he felt ownership belonged in the “hands of Bahamian people”.
The web shop owner criticised the new gaming bill and underlined the social advancements afforded by web shop gaming on a local radio talk show yesterday.
Mr Bastian said: “We’re fighting it not just for us but for the sake of the industry.
“This industry was created by Bahamians, patronised by Bahamians, invented by Bahamians and grew in value by Bahamians. It belongs to Bahamians.
“I will pass, but when I pass I want to leave this industry in the hands of Bahamian people.”
He added: “If web shops close the only people to suffer are the employees. I’m not a dummy, I’m going to survive. But I’m not gonna cop out. I’m gonna fight for this industry.”
Last week, Court of Appeal judges considered a conservatory order unnecessary saying that web shop owners were free to carry on their legal licensed business operations.
The determination continues a legal battle that followed the January 28 referendum, held for the public to decide whether web shops should be legalised and taxed or whether a national lottery should be established. Both propositions were rejected by the electorate. Yesterday, Mr Bastian explained that there was a common misconception that the outcome of the referendum was a result of the public’s views towards web shop gaming.
Mr Bastian said: “The vote was no, but the vote was not ‘no you don’t want [web shops] open or closed.’ The vote was ‘no you don’t want [web shops] to be regulated or taxed.’ You have to understand what the question was and what people voted for.”
He added: “The thing that they should be upset about is, round about the time the PLP government said the public had the right vote. They already set their mind for what Bahamians could do and for what foreigners could do.”
Mr Bastian was referring to a draft gaming bill that would allow casino operators to conduct online and mobile gaming. The bill is expected to be presented to Parliament next week and has been met with criticism from web shop operators.
Hitting out at the Christian Council’s staunch opposition to gaming, Mr Bastian added that there were more egregious social ills to fight against such as alcoholism and drug abuse.
He said: “Webshops are responsible for the vast increase in computer literacy, because of web shops literacy soared every day. [Customers] using the computer, Googling, surfing, trying to find that lucky number.”
He added: “[Mr Flowers] transformed this industry from racketeering to one worthy of a national debate. In my eyes, Craig Flowers is a national hero for what he has done for the industry.”
Comments
TalRussell 11 years ago
Comrade Sebas is sounding like he and his legal brains has run out of Horseshoes? Just like all numbers players eventually will run out of money, if they keep playing his numbers day after day and week after week?
Now, that his charming ways seems lost on the natives, is he really attempting to rewrite the long recoded historical version of the numbers rackets?
One thing he should damn well know is that the betting on numbers is ninety percent financially depended upon the less educated and the poor handing over their cash to gambling joints?
We do know that long before Sebas was even born, the numbers rackets has morally impacted more than its fair share of politicians, policeman's, government officials and preacherman's?
Even if he PLP won't allow the natives votes to play-out, the foreign Casino owners will make damn sure their unlucky black cats won't be departing the web shops doors any time soon? Talk about a sudden out of the blue political double-cross, by a sitting "friendly" government?
by TalRussell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZeCVD...">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZeCVD...
concernedcitizen 11 years ago
the PLP are pouring out their anti foriegn xenophopia now to distract from the real issues ,now the webs shops are using it ,,geez think they have the same PR people ..whenever you want to do crap in the Bahamas just start shouting " bad foriegner ,bad whitey " the people get in such a blind zealot frenzy you can then loot the treasury or feel free to pry upon the poor w/ your " God will be my handicapper and send me a number in my dreams " numbers racket ....put togeather a little xenophopia and a little dress up big hat day and go to Church and you got the uneducated masses hook ,line ,and sinker ,,
Stapedius 11 years ago
Not every discussion has to be about race or nationality CC. The fact is the gaming laws are in fact discriminatory to Bahamians. It isn't racist or xenophobic to state the facts and it appears that's what Bastian is saying here. Now you may disagree with him or even the idea of gaming in this country but it is unfair to call every argument in support of putting Bahamians first, xenophobic or racist. We agree on a lot of things CC, but you allow your politics to constantly be on the attack of the PLP or anyone appearing to be in their support. Fact, gaming in the 'Bahamas' should be in large part owned and operated by Bahamians. Just as gaming in the United States is largely owned by Americans. There's no xenophobia there. Sure there should be and we welcome foreign investment. But foreign investment should not be to the detriment of the Bahamian business owner.
John 11 years ago
I think this isthe biggest deception in the history of Bahamian politics. While the government (forces) were busy distracting Bahamians with a flawed referundum, it gave foreigners (hotel/casino operators and their guests) the same rights and privilidges Bahamians were asking for...gave them to the foreign operators on a silver platter!!! Did Hubert Ingraham also know what was going on when he urged the Bahamian voter to vote "NO"? and defeat the rights of Bahamians to operate web shops or to gamble? On the day when the protest march takes place this should also be a 'wet t' shirt day" Soak all them T'Shirts( use soaking liquid of your choice, beer before or after it was consumed, for example) the PLP and The FNM buy with Atlantis and Bah Mar's money and leave them in Rawson Square..The Bahamian People have been sold out~
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