However, John Wight, an independent Senator, voiced concerns on a “moral” level about betting by locals. “Further enticing people to bet doesn’t seem to be the appropriate way to go forward,” Wight said in reference to the Betting Act.
Owen Darrell, Government Senator and the Junior Minister of the Cabinet Office, Education and Public Works who tabled the three bills, said: “The intent of the bill is not to entice people, it is more to protect the operators, the patrons who do choose to bet and also to protect Bermuda’s economy.”
Ernest Peets, The Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport and the Government Senate Leader, said that measures were in place to ensure problem gamers have access to helping services. The Problem Gaming Council was put in place to provide a safety net for those considered vulnerable, he said.
Under The Gaming (Transfer of Functions) Act, the Bermuda Gaming Commission’s remit will include betting shops, cruise ship casinos, lotteries and raffles and the traditional Crown and Anchor, as well as casinos.
The Betting Act 2021 provides for a separate regulatory regime for the betting sector in line with modern compliance and anti-money laundering standards.
The Betting Fees Regulations 2021 provides a framework for the recovery of costs by the gaming commission for work such as investigations and licensing.
It is expected that the first casino will open at the new St Regis hotel in St George’s in the summer.
Marcus Jones, Opposition Senator, said it was a shame that legislation had not fully come into effect in time for the opening of the St George’s hotel at the weekend. “Government needs to move at the speed of business,” he said.
Source: GMB / Royal Gazette
