Gambling news from http://www.jonesbahamas.com/
Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe admitted yesterday that the government is unable to control Internet gaming in the absence of laws governing on-line gambling by Bahamians.
It’s a situation that officials find particularly challenging, given that it is illegal for Bahamians to gamble and there are few laws governing cyberspace.
"It is a challenge because there are really no laws governing it and it’s very difficult to stop when you don’t have the laws to allow for a clampdown on such betting, and quite frankly it can take place almost anywhere," Mr. Wilchcombe told The Bahama Journal in an interview.
"We are aware of the fact that many people are involved in gambling on-line from their homes. They are participating in games in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, all over the place."
Mr. Wilchcombe’s comments follow the most recent International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, released last week by the US Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. Under the heading of The Bahamas, the report notes that there are more than 10 Internet gaming sites based in The Bahamas, although none is licensed with Bahamian authorities.
Cyberspace has created a number of difficult situations when it comes to finding ways to deal with Internet gaming, said Mr. Wilchcombe.
"We’ve been challenged. We are acutely aware of it and are trying to find ways in which to deal with it. It is a problem and until it is legalised or we enhance the penalty for gaming, it’s going to be a difficult situation for us to deal with," said the minister.
The current gambling penalty is around $1,000 and is not enough of a deterrent, said Mr. Wilchcombe.
"If you’re caught today or you are raided today, the fact of the matter is very soon you are back in business and there’s always a number of legal situations that sometimes prevent further action from being taken," he said.
According to the initial findings of a government study on illegal gambling in The Bahamas, there are at least 45 illegal gambling houses in New Providence and 12 in Grand Bahama. And 60 percent of the population spends anywhere from $1.8 million to $2 million locally and abroad on games of chance each week.
Mr. Wilchcombe believes the government should either strengthen the penalties for this illegal activity or find the formula to introduce a national lottery, an idea that is strongly opposed by the Bahamas Christian Council.
The Gaming Board has commissioned an in-depth study into the feasibility of lotteries worldwide and also in The Bahamas.
Gaming is not on the government’s agenda this parliamentary session, but whatever decisions are made on the issue, proper research and investigations will be conducted, said Mr. Wilchcombe.
"We want to make sure we get all the details and understand it, before we bring it to the parliament," he said, adding that Bahamian officials are also working with the United States and the United Kingdom in an effort to find the correct approach.
Mr. Wilchcombe said that in addition to research, the government would not proceed with any gaming related matters without first consulting with the church and the Bahamian people.
"We want to have a clear discourse with Bahamian people," he said. "We won’t proceed with it without understanding what the Bahamian people want."
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