Prime Minister Perry Christie
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Perry Christie yesterday gave his support for the regularisation of webshops, saying he had to go against his word in light of the fiscal situation.
Admitting that he should have followed through with the groundwork set by the former administration to regularise the industry, Mr Christie explained that the risks associated with the current underground economy have necessitated the government turnaround on the issue.
Mr Christie said that while Tourism minister Obie Wilchcombe acted independently when he announced plans to bring legislation to legalise the industry - he fully supported the move as prime minister.
Mr Christie said: “When all is said and done, however, I am not ashamed to admit that my own views on this matter have evolved in light of a new appreciation of the dangers we face from continuing to have an unregulated webshop gaming industry that is, moreover, not susceptible to sustained law enforcement under the law as it stands today and which, moreover still, is not paying its fair share of taxes.
He said: “In reviewing the various provisions of the laws impacting the activities associated with gambling in the Bahamas, it is evident that the time has come for us to comprehensively review the criminal sanctions imposed on various gaming activities and to formalise the licensing of gaming operations to: ensure proper regulatory control of web shops; apply the taxation regime applicable to gaming activities to web shop businesses; and avoid possible sanction from international financial services regulators.
He added: “Since the proliferation of the web shop industry, international regulators have called for increased supervision of such activities.”
Mr Christie said the outcome of the non-constitutional referendum was difficult to determine given the poor voter turnout; however, he maintained that he did not question the legitimacy of the process or the clear majority of persons who voted “no”.
He said that while he continued to engage religious leaders in dialogue despite differing opinions, he was also aware of the considerable number of citizens in support of regulation and taxation of the industry.
Mr Christie said: “This of course is a normal process in a nation where there is consultation between Church and state, but a separation of powers. I welcome the prayers and continued wise counsel of the Church as we tackle these serious issues.
He said: “Indeed more and more persons have become positive advocates. Authorities in law enforcement and in banking including the Central Bank, both recognise the challenges of enforcement posed by unregulated webshop gaming, and the law enforcement and security dangers of having vast amounts of money earned by webshops which local banks refuse to accept.
“Moreover, having vast amounts of money circulating otherwise than through the banking system, the negative impact of money laundering and possibly having large cash transfers outside the country without exchange control approval and other proper clearances, could pose serious problems and result in blacklisting of The Bahamas.
Mr Christie added: “Indeed the taxes which would be derived from webshops are estimated to be considerable, and if imposed, a very significant portion could be earmarked for good causes such as health, welfare, education and sports and community recreation. Provision should also be made to provide counselling and a support mechanism for persons who may become addicted to gambling.”
Comments
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 1 month ago
And when we only end up making 5 or 7 million from the web shops? What then?
B_I_D___ 10 years, 1 month ago
Fiscal situation...yeah...YOUR fiscal situation...needing to repay those campaign dollars.
realfreethinker 10 years, 1 month ago
Where does this man live. All the justification he just used to legalize and tax were there before the referendum,so I do not know where he coming with that bullshit.
Bahamianpride 10 years, 1 month ago
He is still not leading, just make the hard decision and say it was in your mind the right move period. We can live with it, too many issues to be beating around the bush wasting time, energy, money and toying with peoples emotions..
Honestman 10 years, 1 month ago
The fiscal deficit has merely provided PGC with the excuse to do what he had always intended to do but didn't have the courage to do in his own name. This is his "get out of jail card". The PLP should have regulated the web shops and commenced a national lottery in its first year - so much time and money has been wasted because the party wanted to play politics instead of doing what it felt was best for the country.
realfreethinker 10 years, 1 month ago
But all of these situation existed before the referendum. Excuses excuses
Bahamianpride 10 years, 1 month ago
By the way legalizing webb shops will not get the return in taxable profits the government expects and could run them out of business.. Legalizing it creates competition which will dry up business.. The real money maker is the weed, got to legalize marijuana screw gambling.. Pass a law that says only natural born or naturalized Bahamian citizens can grow and sell weed. Zone it to private resorts or establishments, tax it and rack in the billions.. Make sure Bahamians monopolize it..
Emac 10 years, 1 month ago
Sounds outlandish, but you are 100% correct. But that will never happen as long as these greedy church leaders keep protesting for the wrong reasons and PGC would have to grow a pair first.
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 1 month ago
"Evolved"??? but immediately after the "poll" that he said he was "disappointed". Or does evolved have a new meaning?
sheeprunner12 10 years, 1 month ago
These Bahamian politicians have no national plan.............. just political agendas. This is a sad situation that is going to lead us down the path of Jamaica in the next 10-20 years.
Reality_Check 10 years, 1 month ago
Now nothing more than a deranged sick pathological liar!
sheeprunner12 10 years, 1 month ago
Did Wendy Craigg have to drag Perry's dumb ass into a back room in the Central Bank and horse whip him to get the picture???????????? Its unbelievable!!!!! Unthinkable!!!!!!!!!
USAhelp 10 years, 1 month ago
We voted no on legalized gaming but it did not mater. So why not get rid of the pm that vote should not mater. LOL
SP 10 years, 1 month ago
Prime example of why this country is in such a huge mess.
The rest of the world dealt with the gambling issue and cashed in on it long ago and is now moving with lightning speed to legalize and cash in on marijuana.
PM Christie is still standing around wasting time running his mouth about gambling.
Equally asinine is the fact Christie will continue doing the two steps forward three steps backwards meringue by having to revisit the gambling issue again to withdraw the discriminatory practice of prohibiting Bahamians from casino gambling.
After over 2 years and millions $ wasted on redundant studies, this clown comes to a simple sensible decision to accept a "best practice" policy same as other countries have done decades ago.
At this rate, we would have still gone nowhere after Christie completes his 5 years because it will take his remaining time in office TINKING BOUT ?????.
Perhaps after the marijuana cash cow is dead and buried the PLP & FNM will begin "TINKING" about how the Bahamas can benefit........Too late as usual!
We are doomed to certain ongoing failure if we continue following the meringue style two steps forward three steps backwards governance of the PLP and FNM who somehow obviously concluded they will improvise global best practice's and reinvent the wheel for all to see.
SP 10 years, 1 month ago
Case in point:
http://news.yahoo.com/economy-pot-152...">http://news.yahoo.com/economy-pot-152...
BahamasGamingAssociation 9 years, 9 months ago
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bahama...">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bahama...
WHICH ON OF THE BELOW REIGNS SUPREME IN THE BAHAMAS?
The Bahamas Lottery and Gaming Act Chapter 387 Section 50 Persons prohibited from Gaming
Or
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Chapter III – Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedom of the Individual. Section 26 Protection from Discrimination on grounds of Race, Place of Origin etc.
The Bahamas Gaming Association stands by the Ideology that all human beings who are 18 years or older should be treated equally in all sectors of the Bahamian Economy which is enshrined in the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
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