Job growth the focus of Gaming Operators

Job growth the focus of Gaming Operators
The Bahamas Gaming Operators Association Board of Directors at a courtesy call with Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling at Government House. Pictured from left: Anton Roker; Leander Brice; Sebas Bastian, Chairman; H.E. Dame Marguerite Pindling; Gershan Major (CEO); Pete Deveaux and Garvin Newball.

Courtesy Call to GG part of promotional tour

To further solidify its place in corporate Bahamas, the Bahamas Gaming Operators Association (BGOA) began an educational tour on Thursday, which the organization said, is in an effort to promote the industry since its recent regularization.

BGOA President Gershan Major, told Eyewitness News Online yesterday that the tour represents the association’s continued commitment to promotion of the industry which employs thousands and contributes millions to the Bahamas Treasury annually.

“The board is committed to our mandate to promote awareness and education of the industry and its benefits to all stakeholders,” Major said.

“We are simply focused on nation building.”

Major and other members of the GHOA, including Island Luck Chief Executive Officer Sebas Bastian, paid a courtesy call on Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling at Government House Thursday morning.

“During our meeting, we reiterated our support for community development and responsible gaming practices in the country,” he said.

The association represents all approved licensees in the local gaming industry, who collectively, employ some 3,000 Bahamians and contributes an estimated $25 million in taxes.

Major said the association is also advocating for “fair and equitable public policy, regulation and legislation, based on factual data and research.”

The Gaming Bill, Gaming Regulations and Gaming House Regulations, was passed in Parliament in 2014 and at the time was touted as a new, cutting-edge regime to more effectively control and revolutionize Gaming in The Bahamas, for the greater benefit of the economy and people of our country.

The primary objective, the government of the day said, was to create a streamlined, user-friendly, efficient licensing and regulatory atmosphere, overseen by a financially sustainable regulatory authority.

Major said the association has followed these objectives by driving revenue which in turn helped to increase the tax base and stimulate job growth.

Gaming house operator licenses are only issued to companies that are 100 per cent Bahamian-owned.