Amid claims by Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts that the government is in discussion about amending the Gaming Bill to allow Bahamians to gamble legally in The Bahamas, Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said no such talks are taking place at any official level.
"I think what the chairman of the party said, [at least] my interpretation would be, that there are individuals that are still lobbying, hoping to cause their position to be considered," Wilchcombe said.
"And as chairman of the party, he certainly has the ear of the leadership of the organization because he is chairman.
"Whether there will be changes, that decision has not been made, and at the moment we are certainly continuing our preparations for debate.
He added, "As the minister responsible I have laid on the table of the House of Assembly the bill we intend to debate.
"If there are any changes, any amendments at all that take place, we will have to serve notice when the debate begins, but the truth is at the moment there are no changes."
Wilchcombe indicated that the government is not now minded to change the bill and said he expects the bill that tabled to pass as is.
Pressed on whether the government was in discussion about amending the bill as Roberts' suggested, Wilchcombe said, "No, not at any official level".
He said Roberts and other members of the organization are lobbying to raise their point.
On Wednesday, Roberts said "there is absolutely no doubt in my mind" that the majority, if not all of the government members will vote in support of the bill.
Asked whether his confidence about the outcome of the vote meant the bill would be changed to allow Bahamians to gamble, Roberts said, "That is a matter that is obviously going to be discussed very seriously, and it is being discussed.
He added, "It is my desire for it to be changed, but time will tell." When asked whether Roberts overstepped his position by making those comments, Wilchcombe said, "Of course not.
"He is chairman of the party, who has been a parliamentarian for 25 years.
"He understands the policy, the politics and knows so well that in the House of Assembly, it (the Gaming Bill) can be changed if the government so desires."
Wilchcombe said the decision to change the bill ultimately rests with Prime Minister Perry Christie.
He suggested that the five PLP MPs who criticized the bill last week are lobbying for it to be changed through Roberts, who he expects will make some representation to the organization. He did not say when that could happen.
"The truth is the chairman of the party would hear from people we perhaps do not hear from sometimes," the minister said.
"His job is to...ensure the government is [aware] of all the issues that are being raised."
Last week Sunday, Gaming Board Chairman and Fort Charlotte MP Dr. Andre Rollins said he will not support the bill because it discriminates against Bahamians.
Marco City MP Greg Moss and MICAL MP V. Alfred Gray said that they do not support foreigners being able to do something in The Bahamas that Bahamians cannot do legally.
Exuma and Ragged Island MP Anthony Moss said he was not "prepared to support it". Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells and Mount Moriah MP Arnold Forbes also said they have concerns about a bill that discriminates against Bahamians.
"The PLP knows when to close ranks," Wilchcombe said when asked whether he felt more MPs on the government side would speak out against the bill.
"The PLP is a party that does not go outside of the ranks. The party at the end of the day works in the best interest of the Bahamian people and that is what we are going to do, but we do not muzzle the voices.
"Our people express their views. We are mature political leaders. We have common sense, and we listen, but you can't have a democracy...where people can't talk. Debate of the Gaming Bill has been delayed twice. It is unclear exactly when debate will begin on the bill.
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