By NATARIO McKENZIE
Tribune Business Reporter
nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net
WEB shop locations have decreased by some 60 per cent since the industry's regulation, it was revealed yesterday, with the industry's Association dismissing the perception of "proliferation".
Gershan Major, the Bahamas Gaming Operators Association's (BGOA) chief executive, said that despite the impression that web shops have expanded since the industry's legalisation, this was not the case.
"Prior to regulation it was 645; now it is 257, which is less than half," Mr Major said of physical web shop locations. "There is the public perception that there is this major proliferation, but the facts bear out that this is not the case." He was speaking at a press conference to formally launch the industry's Responsible Gaming Programme.
Dionisio D'Aguilar, minister of tourism, who has responsibility for gaming, in January indicated that government had placed a ban on opening new web shop locations. He acknowledged concerns over its ability to enforce zoning regulations designed to prevent web shops from operating near schools, churches and in residential areas.
Mr Major said yesterday that gaming house operators were still assessing the industry's overall economic impact. "We are looking at that empirically. The industry employs nearly 3,000 Bahamians directly across a varied professional line of skill sets," he added.
"When we look at the industry we normally limit the industry to cashiers, security guards, etc. It also employs highly skilled accountants, compliance professionals, attorneys and computer programmers, network engineers. It is incredible to see the skill set, and the range of skill sets, that this industry employs and is also attracting. One of the benefits of the gaming industry is the level of job creation it provides."
Mr Major added that despite being exempted from the benefits of the Minnis administration's "Over-The-Hill" revitalisation initiative, he recently had an informal conversation with financial secretary, Marlon Johnson, on the desire of gaming operators to be a part of the consultative process.
Comments
JohnDoes 5 years, 11 months ago
Hmm I wonder why the many locations have decreased. Oh I know, maybe because the mob gaming industry has reverted to 'Online' & 'Mobile' gaming and the development of newer and bigger locations were agreed upon to accommodate more addicts in order to facilitate a hub or head and sub quarters to eliminate the costs of rent, bills, and personnel needed to facilitate the variety of small locations that were popping up everywhere in every neighborhood. So even though some of the many outlets have closed down, your main outlets in your associated 'key' areas were expanded. It is also a getaway and lounge for persons who love the 'casino' atmosphere' while neglecting their families and responsibilities in return & a financial institution for their deposits & withdrawals.
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 11 months ago
"despite being exempted from the benefits of the Minnis administration's "Over-The-Hill" revitalisation initiative, he recently had an informal conversation with financial secretary, Marlon Johnson, on the desire of gaming operators to be a part of the consultative process"
Part of the consultative process!???! And a gaming rep having a "private" conversation with the financial secretary????
On a completely separate topic, anyone see the allegations that Michael Cohen was taking money from corporations for access?
Now back to this private conversation between the gaming rep and the financial secretary...
sheeprunner12 5 years, 11 months ago
This is so silly of Gershon Major (Number Cartel spokesman) .............. Everyone is spinning in their house on their computer or their hand-held device ............. We just need to BAN the webshops ........ and set up the National Lottery.
bogart 5 years, 11 months ago
tut tut tut....as a former banker he should have claimed there were 771 ?? Number web shops prior so not only he could say they declined by 66% but ....times which sounds more scientific!!!....really now 645 previoisly 60%.....whats that consist of ?? ...3 tiny shops on one back street with 3 metal chairs inside now replaced by one larger webshop with 15 spaces confortable chairs piping aircondu on a main street. Without dispute it is a very successfull enterprise that makes money and with excellent marketing can bet just 10" cents. Given numbers like as many as 50,000 (voting age adults) play the numbers and 7 million in charitanle donation program by 8 operators.....the next step in the future is inevitanle and the odds of winning very good.
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