Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said yesterday that web shop licenses will be issued in October. "We are nearing the completion of our investigations," Wilchcombe said. "I expect any day to receive recommendations from the Gaming Board. We will be distributing licenses sometime in October."

The web shop industry was initially expected to be fully regulated by May. However, Wilchcombe said the regularization process required more work than was anticipated. Wilchcombe said the Gaming Board is in the process of ascertaining the "true number" of web shops that exist. He said the government is concerned about the proliferation of such establishments and is worried about where some web shops are located and their close proximity to schools. "We are very concerned about web shops in the educational district, near schools and communities," he said.

Asked if the government would require some web shop owners to relocate their businesses, Wilchcombe said that is a consideration. "Of course, it's a give and take in some circumstances," he said. "Some of them are already in established areas and we don't want to put them in additional costs. Right now the investigators are doing a full review and we'll make some decisions."

As it relates to the revenue side of things, Wilchcombe said investigations have revealed that the government may be on target to collect more revenue than previously expected. "We didn't know the level to which [web shops] operated and the level of revenue earnings, and so as we continue to look at that we will be able to announce projected revenue amount," he said.

"The web shops have been up front. They have been paying taxes on a monthly basis. It is our expectation that we will collect more." The government previously projected that it would collect $20 million in web shop taxes annually. As part of the RFP process, web shops were required to provide their financials.

The Gaming Board has been investigating these applications since March 10. Despite the months-long delay, Wilchcombe said he is pleased with the work of the Gaming Board. Nine companies applied for web shop licenses: Bahama Dreams, FML Web Shop, Bet Vegas, A Sure Win, Paradise Games, Island Luck, Percy's at the Island Game, Asue Draw + Spin, and Chances Games.

Wilchcombe said the government expects to award eight licenses. However, he said that figure is not set in stone. Those nine operators filed affidavits in December 2014. They were approved to operate during this transitional period.

Earlier this month, Wilchcombe said the government will soon instruct police to close down web shops that have failed to comply with its regularization process. Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade previously said he stands ready to act against any web shop in contravention of the law, but police had not been asked "to this date to do anything".

BEIJING, China - It was probably the most hurtful occurrence for Team Bahamas at the 15th International Association of Athletics Federation's (IAAF) World Championships here in Beijing, China. The men's 4x400 meters (m) unit, almost a lock for medal once completely healthy, was knocked out of the event early as a result of a disqualification via IAAF Rule 163.3 (a), which states: "All races must be run in lanes. Each athlete shall keep within his allocated lane from start to finish. This shall also apply to any portion of a race run in lanes."

According to officials, the rule is only an automatic disqualification if the violation occurred on the bend. It is not a disqualification if it occurs on the straight as long as another athlete is not impeded. Nor is it illegal to run into an outer lane, as long as another athlete is not impeded. The lane infringement was shown to Bahamian team officials, as captured by the Hawk-Eye tracking software, initially integrated into athletics during the world relays in The Bahamas last year. There's no doubt that it has been a vital tool of meet officials, but in this scenario, it worked against The Bahamas. Veteran quarter-miler Michael Mathieu was the guilty party.

Running the second leg for The Bahamas in the heats of the event on Saturday morning in Beijing, Mathieu stepped on the line on the curve four times. That might actually explain his 43.9 split on the second leg. According to Bahamian team officials, it might not have affected the ability of The Bahamas to qualify for the final, but it was a clear violation of the rule, hence the decision to disqualify the team.Therefore, for the fourth consecutive world championships, the men's 4x400m relay team failed to run in the event's final.

The team was disqualified in 2009, and didn't get out of the heats in 2011 and again in 2013. "These things happen in track in field. It's unfortunate that it happened to us, but it just shows the need for our athletes and coaches to be more vigilant about how we prepare for international meets," said Team Manager Ralph McKinney afterward. "You have to be very careful about how you execute your races when you come to these meets.

As coaches, you have to keep reminding the athletes to be very careful not to step on the lines, particularly on the curves, and as athletes you have to be focused on running your race in your lane. We saw where it happened to the women's 4x100m team in Moscow, and now it's the men. It's unfortunate, but there's nothing we could do about it now. We just have to move on, and try not to make the same mistake next time." The team members were so distraught when they found out about the disqualification that they declined comment afterwards.

It all happened so suddenly. In fact, lead-off leg Steven Gardiner didn't even know about the disqualification when he came through the mixed zone here in Beijing. He simply said that he was looking forward to the final. By the time the other three members of the team came through, the disqualification was already posted. Mathieu offered no comment afterward, but he apologized on Facebook, stating: "Stepped on the line a few times and we got dq (disqualified)... sorry Bahamas!!!..." He ran the second leg for Team Bahamas, Alonzo Russell ran the third leg and Ramon Miller anchored.

Former national record holder Chris Brown and LaToy Williams were available if the team made it to the final on Sunday. The team crossed the finish line in second place behind Great Britain in 2:59.24, and was thought to have grabbed one of the three automatic qualifying spots for the final, but the runners' glory was short lived. The United States of America (USA) went on to win the gold in the final, in a world-leading time of 2:57.82, Trinidad and Tobago won the silver in a national record of 2:58.20, and Great Britain charged past Jamaica for the bronze, finishing in a season's best of 2:58.51. Jamaica had an identical time, but was beaten for the bronze courtesy of a photo finish.

In the heat with The Bahamas, the team of Gardiner, Mathieu, Russell and Miller looked good. They stayed in the top three throughout, and there was immediate optimism for the final. However, it was not to be. When contacted on Sunday, Chris Brown who was set to be inserted into the line-up for the final, said that it was disappointing, but it is behind them now, and they are now looking forward to next season. The same fate befell the women's sprint relay team at the 2013 Moscow World Championships.

At those championships, Sheniqua Ferguson stepped on the line on the curve three times, thereby causing the disqualification to that unit. Team Manager McKinney said that it is an area that must be looked at going into next year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He said that they must all do a better job of paying closer attention to detail to ensure that the same mistakes don't happen again.

BEIJING, China - Coming off a season running indoors and outdoors for Texas A&M University and battled nagging injuries at the end of the season, Shavez Hart decided that it would be best to limit his load at the 15th International Association of Athletics Federation's (IAAF) World Championships in Beijing, China.

The second-fastest Bahamian ever qualified for the world championships in short sprints, but in a true love for country, he bypassed on both to run the relay. Hart hasn't fully recovered from a shinbone injury that bothered him coming down to the end of the season, and said that he wasn't at full strength to do three events here in Beijing. Of priority to him was helping The Bahamas' men's 4x100 meters (m) relay team post a fast time to assist in qualifying for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

"Pulling out of the 100 and 200 was bittersweet for me. I worked so hard all year to get to this point, but when I got injured in May, my performances went downhill a bit. I started to run [well] again, and then got injured again, so it was bit frustrating. I really wasn't at full strength to do all three events, so I just decided to pull out of the individual events and help my teammates post a fast time in the relay," said Hart.

"Watching this meet only put a burning desire in my heart to perform even better next year. The good thing is that I finished off my season healthy. That's a major plus. I'm just looking forward to improving."

With his 10.10 clocking in April, Hart is the second-fastest Bahamian ever, trailing just national record holder Derrick Atkins (9.91). He is tied as the fourth-fastest Bahamian ever over 200m (20.23). The 22-year-old Hart, now finished with his college days at Texas A&M University, is hoping to break both national records in the not too distant future. "This year, I showed a lot of promise, but the injuries occurred at the wrong time. I know that I haven't reached my full potential, so I'm looking forward to next year when I'm completely healthy," he said.

"I really wanted to put all of the focus into the relay, and not waste it in the individual events. I just wanted to dedicate the rest of my season to the relay and the guys who I started out with." Running a total of eight events for Texas A&M this year, Hart said that he just looked at it as preparation for national duty at the end of the year, specifically the world championships. "On the college scene, there is limited rest and recovery. You could run four races in, like, two and a half hours," said Hart. "It was preparing me for this stage, but it also took a toll on my body. I started to suffer a lot of nagging injuries, especially late in the season. It could definitely help me in the future, because now I know how to run the rounds, and I know how to recover from my injuries."

Hart was set to compete in his second world championships here in Beijing in an individual event. He ran the 100m at the Moscow World Championships two years ago, and was 36th overall, in 10.36 seconds. This year, he set both of his personal best times and was really hoping for a breakthrough at the world championships. It was not to be, but the young Abaconian is showing tremendous promise for the future. He helped The Bahamas run a season's best time in the heats of the men's 4x100m relay on Saturday, a time of 38.96 seconds.

Hart is also a part of the national record setting team from last year's Commonwealth Games. That team ran 38.52 seconds for the new national mark. He is looking forward to representing The Bahamas at next year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in hopefully the 100 and 200m, and also the relay.The sky is the limit for Shavez Hart.

During his first administration, Perry Christie earned a reputation as a prime minister who lacked control of his Cabinet and who consistently showed weak leadership. In fact, a survey quietly commissioned by the leadership of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in the wake of its disappointing loss at the polls in May 2007 found that 57 percent of respondents cited his perceived weak leadership as the reason they did not vote PLP. A key recommendation of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, the international research group that conducted the survey, was to convey Christie's leadership qualities.

This time around, what we are seeing is an unchanged Christie whose government lacks cohesive responses to critical issues. He does not appear to be in control of his Cabinet. His ministers often shoot off their personal positions, creating confusion and further cementing the view many people have long held of Christie. Such was the case last week when The Tribune started the week with the headline: "Obie: Drop resort wind-up petition". Obie Wilchcombe's comments seemed to be undermining the government's efforts to secure the court's approval for provisional liquidators to oversee the affairs of Baha Mar.

While it is true that the tourism minister expressed what many people feel about the route the government is taking in addressing this important matter, his comments were bizarre and a departure from the position the government has taken. What made his statement even more ill conceived is it came at an extremely delicate time. All sides are awaiting a decision by Supreme Court Justice Ian Winder on the winding up petition filed by the attorney general on behalf of the government. That decision is due on Friday.

Wilchcombe told The Tribune: "Of course the government has made the decision to proceed as such, and we take direction from legal quarters. "That notwithstanding, it doesn't mean the players in the game can't sit and talk. Maybe I'm ignorant, but the bigger thing for me is getting the matter resolved, and in my view, that's bigger than the wrangling that's taking place and all the brilliance of the law." Wilchcombe also told The Tribune: "These matters are not decided in court rooms. The process just creates more delay and more negatives. It's too much of an exact science. What we require is something that doesn't sit on legal books -- a heart and a head." The minister also spoke about the prime minister's "brilliance" as an adept negotiator. He said he was sure the prime minister would prefer to have the matter resolved out of court. Wilchcombe's comments do not appear helpful to the current crisis facing The Bahamas.

Firstly, he should be reminded of a few facts in this matter. The prime minister's "brilliance" as a negotiator was not enough to convince Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian to agree to a deal with the Export-Import Bank of China that was on the table in June when Baha Mar filed for bankruptcy protection in Delaware. Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson on two occasions led a delegation to Beijing in an effort to help broker an agreement among the parties. Those talks failed to reach any agreement. The legal dispute does not stop the parties from reaching an agreement to this day if they choose to. Instead of being helpful, Wilchcombe has harmed the government's position, creating more confusion and no doubt discouraging the Christie administration's attempts to get more Bahamians to buy into the route it has decided to take after the bankruptcy filing. Christie should be livid.

It is vital that government ministers are on the same page of an issue so critical to the country. Wilchcombe's statement demonstrates that they are not. With the country already sharply divided on the government's approach to the debacle, the minister has worsened those already deep divisions. No lesser person than the prime minister announced the filing of the winding up petition during a nationally-televised address in July.

Christie said, "Whilst we certainly remain open to further discussions, my government has taken the decision to seek to bring the Baha Mar development project under the control and supervision of the Bahamian Supreme Court right here in The Bahamas." The prime minister said the role of the liquidators would be to expedite a resolution of the Baha Mar debacle and to prepare a plan for its restructuring. This is a position of the government. But Wilchcombe was quoted as saying that even if the government succeeds in the current route it is taking "we're still facing an uphill battle".

Wilchcombe is a senior minister. He is the minister of tourism. His words carry great weight. They have been carried internationally. He has sent mixed signals about the government's approach to a most fundamental issue, which is being closely watched both locally and outside our borders. But this is the kind of thing Christie encourages by his failure to take action against ministers who embarrass the government. Christie has been quiet in the last couple weeks.

He has said he will not speak further on the Baha Mar issue at this time. The public has not heard from him on this matter or any other national issue recently. We do not know his position on Wilchcombe's recent statement. We can only guess that Christie's reaction would be similar to the reaction he had several weeks ago when Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell warned Izmirlian that his permanent residency status could be revoked for his criticisms of the prime minister.

Minister of Labour Shane Gibson followed up by calling for "psychological evaluations" for all foreign investors who wish to do business in The Bahamas. The prime minister made it clear that those ministers were not speaking for the government. "Ministers were reflecting their feelings, and both ministers who spoke said they were doing it because they were offended that there was disrespect to the Office of the Prime Minister," Christie said. "I accept that is what they said and why they said it, but it was peculiar to them and the government of The Bahamas is spoken for on behalf of myself in this matter."

Many were left wondering what kind of Cabinet is Christie running? Is he in charge? Is anyone in charge? When are we to understand that ministers are speaking for themselves and not for the government? Christie has no one to blame but himself for the constant embarrassment his ministers bring him. They know that he will take no action, no matter how contrary they get, no matter their objections to government policy and positions. Wilchcombe wants to be prime minister. His pulling away from the government on this issue is curious. It has left some questions. One obvious one is whether there are any hidden motives.

Now is certainly not the time for ministers to be singing from separate hymn sheets. It is vital that the prime minister convey that on this issue the Cabinet is united. Wilchcombe is a part of the government. He seems to have forgotten the principle of collective responsibility under the Westminster system. Ministers share in the responsibility of decision making. If it is his view that the action the government is taking in regards to resolving the Baha Mar issue is not the best route, then he ought to hand his resignation to the prime minister. Failing that, Christie ought to dismiss him from his Cabinet. But no one expects the Perry Christie we know to make that kind of decision.