PLP promises gambling referendum

Tue, Apr 24th 2012, 10:54 AM

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has promised to hold a referendum on gambling within its first 100 days in office if it wins the next general election.
The opposition made the promise in its 'Vision 2030: A Charter for Governance' national plan, which was released last night.
The promise echoes similar pledges by the Free National Movement (FNM) and the Democratic National Alliance (DNA).
Both of those parties also pledged referendums on the issue during the next five years, but were not more specific on the timeframe.
The PLP said the referendum is necessary due to the "extent to which a large percentage of the population engages in the industry".

The party promised to be "guided by the results" of the referendum.

"The numbers racket is nothing new in The Bahamas. The major change, however, is that it has moved from the traditional 'papers for lottery' to virtual 'web shop' casinos," the PLP explained.
"It has been given an aura of legality by online play on various gaming or lotto sites, which allow participants to engage in the illegal racket from the comfort of their own home or office.
"Additionally, more and more people and entities have established these illegal enterprises to the extent that it has become difficult to discern the legitimate businesses from those that are operating within the ambit of the law."
In 2010, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham promised to put the gambling question to the Bahamian public if reelected to office.
DNA Leader Branville McCartney has promised to do the same if his party is successful in the May 7 contest.

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