Dear Editor,

The so-called gambling referendum is history, and a resounding no is the order of the day. Punch drunk and shell shocked is the yes crew as it ridicules the opponents of web shop gaming and a national lottery. Who called the game in the first instance and why were they so persuaded that yes to their questions of legitimizing web shop gaming and instituting a national lottery would have prevailed at the end of the day? The intelligence of the Bahamian electorate has been underestimated once more.

It is a known reality that gambling is not a productive enterprise for the masses; especially the poor and financially struggling brothers and sisters. The numbers bosses and their millions were no match for a people who are demanding a productive economy where vision, industriousness, hard work, dedication and the work ethic are the status quo. The proponents of the gambling referendum questions are now blaming the church and opposition politicians for their scandalous defeat at the polls on January 28, 2013.

They are simply sore losers who believe that democracy is a one-way street. The number kingpins made a dreadful error by providing a partying electorate with food, liquor and good music from start to finish. They also tried to use their dirty cash to buy yes votes - to no avail. The lesson of the gambling referendum is found in the following Aesop quote: Beware that you do not lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.

- Dennis Dames

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