By DANA SMITH
Tribune Staff Reporter
dsmith@tribunemedia.net
MORE than just “a limited number” of web-shop owners could apply for a license to operate if Monday’s gambling referendum passes with a majority “yes” vote. It is a “misrepresentation,” said Prime Minister Perry Christie, to believe there are only four operators.
Speaking outside the House of Assembly on Wednesday morning before hundreds of web-shop employees and their supporters in a demonstration march to Rawson Square, Mr Christie said as many as eight web-shop operators had told him they plan to apply for a license.
“When I started off, I actually made the mistake of speaking about four web-shop operators who are major web-shop operators,” he said.
“Since this process has began, I have seen seven or eight of them now and all of them making representation that they have the capacity to meet any conditions for licensing, that they have the store fronts, that they have the money.”
“It’s more than a limited amount of people who will make applications for licenses in this country,” Mr Christie said.
“Those who are able to qualify may well be eligible for licensing... It’s a misrepresentation to believe there are only four.”
Last week, campaign coordinator of the Vote “Yes” Bahamas campaign, Philip Galanis said Bahamians would be allowed to purchase shares in web-shops if the referendum on gaming is passed.
“Just as was done with the Port on Arawak Cay, just as was done at Commonwealth Brewery as has been done at Cable Bahamas. They are doing this because they want to encourage persons to participate in gaming at another level and so they will put aside a percentage, say 30 or 40 per cent of the company, because naturally they would want the majority,” he said
“What I have gathered is that they may come together and join one entity or maybe several entities, it really depends on what makes the most sense. Of course it will be regulated and it will all be transparent and monitored by the securities commission. They will have to do audits, they will need to be scrutinized but what they are saying is ‘we have no objections to offering our shares to the public’.”
Comments
TalRussell 11 years, 3 months ago
Comrades i couldn't help but take notice that the PM is no longer addressing the men's as numbers "bosses?" Now, they are just plain business "operators?"
I'm betting the hired consultant guns handling public relations for the 'Vote Yes' campaign has sensed they are losing ground badly leading up to the vote this Monday January 28. Who knows if maybe them been chatting with the PM directly, or his people, about his vote losing PR "bosses" gaffe?
by TalRussell
Concerned 11 years, 3 months ago
So Mr. Prime Minister, given that:
It would seem logical that you do not have adequate information to support the going forward with this referendum.
So Mr. Christie, having all these facts (or lack thereof), please tell us what you are truly up with wanting to push for this Yes vote. Hmmm. Mama always say when you spit in the wind, it will always fly back in ya face. Hope you have your tissue, Mr. Christie.
bigdee 11 years, 2 months ago
well at least the prime minster admit wrong to some things the fromer prime minster never admit wrong to anything he just is be rude with everthing god forgave he is just bitter that FNM lose he does gamble dont let him tell you otherwise he meight not do it here but he does one thing i agree with him with his that bahamains should be aloow to gamble in casinos but eventely that is comeing this bahamas is a godfearing nation everybody should have the same rights as other no one should come here and have right to do osmething that we are not allow to do
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