Pro-Gambling Voice Says Bahamian Churches Inconsistent
A rising swell of church leadership against a measure designed to reform Bahamian gambling and casino laws is confusing the leader of the reformist movement. Sidney Strachan of the Committee for Gaming Reform says illegal gambling has proliferated to the point that regulated gambling must be expanded to include Bahamian residents to protect them, but religious leaders had no problem with gaming's spread until now.
"The government has issued more casino licenses over the last three years and the church was absolutely silent," Strachan told the Bahama Journal. "These same pastors did not say one word. But as soon as an opportunity is presented for Bahamians they have a major issue with it."
Because of the shady and dangerous illegal gambling venues throughout the Bahamas, lawmakers are considering such moves as establishing a national lottery and altering the rules for licensed casinos so that residents can enter and play there. But religious leaders have campaigned ferociously against new legal gaming, disregarding the illegal problem.
"My thing is that the government needs to take this issue to the people in a referendum," said Strachan. The lobbyist thinks as much as 80 percent of the population would be for expanded gambling.
Strachan says the churches and legislators are no longer of the people, but trying to govern the people from a distance. He asserts if they cared more for the average Bahamian than special interest groups, the issue would not be in debate.
