An Atlantis official has stated that he is "not pessimistic" over the status of the oft-delayed Gaming Bill, arguing that the bill could be soon passed despite the government's recent focus on several other key issues.
Atlantis Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Ed Fields addressed concerns over the bill's delay, dismissing the idea that the Gaming Bill should take precedence over the value-added tax (VAT) legislation and the proposed constitutional amendments on gender equality.
"They're all important. I don't think the Gaming Bill has more priority than the referendum on women's rights, but it's still important to get it out there," said Fields.
"As far as I'm concerned, they can all be happening at the same time. If the referendum and VAT can happen at the same time, so can the Gaming Bill."
Despite the setbacks, Fields claimed that Atlantis was "comfortable" with the bill's progress and remained confident that it would be passed in the near future.
"Atlantis is comfortable with the process. Obviously we would like to see it move along, but we don't think that the government is unaware of those sentiments," stated Fields.
"I'm not pessimistic about it. Obviously, we would like to see it happen sooner than later, but I think it's going to happen [soon]."
The Gaming Bill has been touted by casino operators as a means of modernizing the sector and bringing it up to internationally competitive standards, by permitting, among other things, mobile gaming. In doing so, Baha Mar in particular has pointed to how the bill could increase revenues not only for resorts but also the government, through increased casino taxes.
The bill has been bogged down by a litany of issues, including doubt over whether banks would accept proceeds from regulated web shops.
Several local banks, including RBC and Commonwealth Bank, earlier claimed they would not conduct business with regularized web shops due to reputational concerns, including the implications for their correspondent banking relationships with U.S. banks.
The bill has also been criticized as "discriminatory" after the government announced that it would unlikely lift the current ban on Bahamians gambling in local casinos. However, both Atlantis President George Markantonis and Baha Mar CEO Sarkis Izmirlian have both supported the right for Bahamians to gamble in their casinos.
The Gaming Bill was originally proposed to be debated after debate on the budget. However, Prime Minister Perry Christie has admitted that the bill would require more time, adding that all web shops would be taxed retroactive to July 1, 2014.
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