Official Wants to Open Bahamian Casinos to Citizens
Malcom Adderley, chairman of the Bahamian Gaming Board, has called for a review of the laws concerning who is eligible to gamble at the country's casinos. Under current law, both Bahamian citizens and residents are forbidden to play in Bahamian casinos.
"The question is ‘why should gaming be outlawed in this day and time in any developed country?’," Adderley asked.
The chairman pointed out that there is no practical way to prevent gambling by those who desire to do so, and that any prohibition is based on outdated morality.
He also made the case that loosening gambling laws could substantially help the Bahamas' budget problems. Adderley not only wishes to free Bahamians to choose to gamble as they want, but also wants to install limited slots in large hotels as a revenue-producing device.
He also champions a national lottery being created.
Religious figures lead the fight against Adderley and increased gaming availability. Pastor Lyall Bethel of Grace Community Church said, "You cannot build a nation off of greed, covetousness, chance, indiscipline and irresponsibility."
Prime Minster Hubert Ingraham has said that, while he doesn't necesarily wish gambling expansion, the reality is that existing laws are largely unenforceable, and legalization might be inevitable.
It is refreshing to see national leaders trying to extend freedoms and liberty to their fellow citizens. Hopefully the controlling methods of the church system will lose out, and Bahamians may choose to enjoy the thrills previously only open to foreign tourists.
