NASSAU, BAHAMAS -Gaming Board Chairman Dr. Daniel Johnson has acknowledged that there is “no widespread support” for allowing Bahamians to gamble in casinos, emphasizing that he had simply raised the issue for discussion.
Johnson had previously argued against discrimination toward Bahamians in gambling policies. Casino gaming is legal in The Bahamas for non-residents 18 years and older. Section 50 of the Lotteries and Gaming Act, however, prohibits all persons who are work permit holders (non-Bahamians), permanent residents (non-Bahamians), ordinary residents of The Bahamas (Bahamian nationals), and the spouses of these persons from gambling in casinos.
When asked about the issue, Johnson, speaking with Eyewitness News on the sidelines of the 4th Caribbean Regulators Forum at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort, stated: “I put it on the table. There was no appetite, so I have left it alone.”
Regarding the current moratorium on gaming licenses, Johnson noted that this too was an issue for policymakers. “That is also a policymaker decision. I would wait to hear from the executive on that.”
Currently, the 10-year moratorium only allows for the number of gaming house operator licenses to not exceed eight, until 2027.
Referring to the local gaming industry as “healthy”, Johnson noted that the industry contributes $60 million to the treasury.
Johnson stated: “We have almost 6,000 employees in this industry now and it will probably continue to grow because there are other sectors that want to come on board. The industry is producing $60 million for the treasury, which is significant. We have land-based casinos and local gaming houses, and both are contributing to the Corporate Social Initiative Committee. In responsible gaming, some of the proceeds are to be pushed back into those communities where weaknesses exist.
He added: “The gaming industry is healthy. Everyone involved in the industry should be congratulated. We have benchmarked ourselves against Canada, the US, Europe. We are at world-class standards. We want to keep The Bahamas as a well-regulated, respected brand in the world of gaming. This week is a conversation about how far we have come, where we are at, and what’s next.”
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