The government has no choice but to order the closure of web shops, Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis said yesterday.
"We live in a county that has laws," said Minnis, after Chief Justice Sir Michael Barnett lifted the conservatory order that prevented police or the government from shutting down web shop gaming.
"The people have spoken, the chief justice has issued a judgment and we expect the laws to be upheld."
Sir Michael discharged a conservatory order that protected web shops from police action.
He said the interlocutory order that attorneys Wayne Munroe and Alfred Sears sought on behalf of their clients (web shop owners) was not granted.
Sears and Jeff Lloyd represent Paradise Games. Munroe represents Island Game, Island Luck, FML, Asue Draw, Whatfall and Chances.
Minnis said the government must now live up to its word.
"The prime minister and the commissioner of police are on record saying that they would carry out the wishes of the people," he said.
"However, the wishes of the people were stopped because of the [conservatory order]...The prime minister was elected by the people to govern the country and carry out the laws of the people; the people would expect him [to act immediately]."
Senior Justice Jon Isaacs granted the conservatory order on January 30, two days after a gambling referendum failed.
The day before, Prime Minister Christie ordered all web shop operators to shut down their gaming operations immediately or face arrest and prosecution.
Minnis said the opposition will be "watching everything closely" to ensure that the Christie administration sticks to that original warning.
During the run-up to the referendum, Minnis called on Bahamians to vote no to the taxation and regularization of web shops and to the establishment of a national lottery.
Minnis criticized the government for its handling of the referendum, adding that the Christie adminstration did not educate the public sufficiently on the issues before the vote.

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