Debate over the legalization of lottery gambling continues to dominate the conversation on talk radio and in the news media.\u00a0 Such intense interest in our national affairs is certainly important and to be encouraged, but with no referendum on the immediate horizon to what extent does such conjecture even serve a purpose?<\/p>\n
To add some more of our opinion to the national conversation, we appeal to the public to step back and contemplate the current “lottery” practice in The Bahamas.\u00a0 First, the current numbers house operations are not representative of a national lottery.\u00a0 Second, the numbers houses are illegal enterprises.\u00a0 Third, Bahamians know the numbers house owners, some of whom speak openly to the press.<\/p>\n
Therefore, we, as the public, are privy to the ongoing operations of illegal activity by known persons and as such are witnesses and coconspirators in criminal activity punishable by law.<\/p>\n
The open practice of playing numbers makes a farce of our entire justice system.\u00a0 We must do better and it is time to bring resolution to this issue.<\/p>\n
The government claims to condemn criminal activity, yet feels obliged to not only debate but also pay for a referendum to essentially right a wrong.\u00a0 If such a referendum even comes to fruition, the Bahamian taxpayer will bear the burden when numbers operators make significant sums of money illegally with no hint of punishment.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, it is absolutely absurd that the government has engaged a U.K. consulting firm to offer advice on a national lottery.\u00a0 To the Office of the Prime Minister, exactly who is paying for such a review?\u00a0 And why is the government engaging a consultant when Bahamians may vote down the proposition rendering such a review useless?\u00a0 And why the U.K.?\u00a0 The U.S. lottery system is very familiar to those Bahamians who may wish to partake in a national lotto.<\/p>\n
How can we have a national debate or engage consultants on gambling when the government has yet to decide if it will only legalize web shops or develop a national lotto, or both?\u00a0 Before any more money and effort is spent on this issue, we need a statement in writing from the government detailing its position on a gambling referendum.\u00a0 Such political indecision only fuels fodder for talk show pundits.<\/p>\n
At the crux of the political banter is the numbers house owner.\u00a0 Perched atop heaps of illegal cash, the owner goes about daily business as his minions play happily almost oblivious to the debate.<\/p>\n
Owners should not be complacent in their current standing, if a referendum does not occur, fails or passes it is clear that numbers house operations in The Bahamas must change.<\/p>\n
The government should never have allowed numbers houses to rise as they have.\u00a0 They should have been shut down long ago if they were illegal.\u00a0 If the sector is to be made legal, then those operations would be allowed.\u00a0 Under the current confusion, The Bahamas conveys the message that breaking the law does not have consequences.<\/p>\n
And on a final note, it is with irony that the government will not take a stand on the matter.\u00a0 Prime Minister Perry Christie said: “As prime minister, I am supported by a significant number of people.\u00a0 Why should I try to preempt their free choice on the matter by saying vote for the PLP in this position because the PLP\u2019s position is such?”<\/p>\n
Please correct us if we are wrong, but the PLP did take a stand on the constitutional referendum for equal rights for women.\u00a0 The PLP launched a campaign against that referendum based on the flaws of “process” to deny women equal rights.<\/p>\n
Women are treated as second-class citizens while numbers bosses parade around town, and your party has nothing to say about it?\u00a0 We are speechless.<\/p>\n