The government is considering lifting the ban on Bahamians gambling in local casinos, The Nassau Guardian understands.

This is being considered as part of the reform of the gaming industry.

The clause in the current Lotteries and Gaming Act that discriminates against Bahamians is widely viewed as the most egregious form of discrimination in The Bahamas.

It would be eliminated in the Gaming Bill if a consensus is reached in Cabinet, The Guardian was told.

But the government could face opposition from some web shop bosses who reportedly want a monopoly on Bahamians gambling in their establishments.

Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe, who has responsibility for gaming, recently told the House that he will soon present to his Cabinet colleagues regulations to govern web shop gaming. A revised Gaming Bill is also expected to be tabled in Parliament.

An earlier bill proposed that permanent residents and work permit holders be allowed to gamble in casinos, but it would have extended the prohibition against Bahamians gaming.

The government pulled back from that position after public outcry to the leaked draft. The government will now consider approving a levy for Bahamians who gamble in casinos, The Guardian understands.

It may also consider a levy for foreigners who choose to gamble at web shops. The prime minister previously said that the Constitutional Commission would advise on the matter of Bahamians gambling in casinos.

But when the Commission reported last July, its chairman Sean McWeeney said the matter was not a constitutional issue.

McWeeney pointed out that a simple amendment to the Lotteries and Gaming Act could address the issue if the government wanted.

Atlantis President George Markantonis and Baha Mar CEO Sarkis Izmirlian have both said before they would welcome Bahamians gambling in their casinos.

The casino issue has featured prominently in the ongoing gambling debate in the country. Shortly after the government tabled a Gaming Bill in the House last October, Gaming Board Chairman Dr. Andre Rollins said he would not support the discriminatory portion of the bill.

Following that, Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells, Mount Moriah MP Arnold Forbes and Marco City MP Gregory Moss all expressed concerns about the bill extending discrimination against Bahamians.

While Wilchcombe announced plans to regulate web shops when he spoke in the House of Assembly recently during the mid-year budget debate, he did not address specifically the issue of Bahamians gambling in casinos.

Cabinet colleagues are expected to receive the full gaming proposal by the end of this month. Wilchcombe has targeted July 1 as the date for web shop regulation to begin.

But it is unclear when a revised bill and regulations will be tabled.

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