A few things jumped out while watching the opinion poll - called a referendum - last night.
First, the ambiguity of the question relating to web shops.
Second, Bahamian people seem to have voted against government action appearing to push things down their collective throats.
Third, what will come of the "web shops"? A release from the PLP party last night suggested that resources would be allocated to close illegal web shops. Many people think the status quo will remain however.
Fourth, the "No" vote clearly puts the ball in the governments hands to make a decision.
Fifth, the "Yes" campaigns promotion of how much good they are doing did not work. There are obviously people hurt by gaming, but that won't make gambling go away. It might be forced further under ground.
Sixth. While the vote delivered a resounding "No" to the questions posed, less than 25% of eligible voters cast a vote.
The government does not appear to have the leverage of a "Yes" vote to "regulate" and "tax" the gaming industry, but it would appear they think, like many others, that gambling is already legalised as a result of those companies holding a business license, so what will happen?
In a nut shell the government has to learn from the mistakes of the real Referendum of 2002 and this opinion poll and determine what the best way is to establish a gaming industry, incorporating the right of Bahamians to gamble in hotel casinos if they wish to do so.
The details of how the government propose regulating web shops and a national lottery should be laid on the table well in advance so they can be debated before a proper referendum might be held.
As an aside, it would appear that the government was counting on the revenue from the gaming houses (projected between $20 and $40 million) so what do they do about government spending and revenue?
In the final, it appears that the Bahamian people pushed back and has suggested that the Government revisit their proposals and do it right.
If I might be presumptuous, duplicate the referendum of 2002 and add the gambling bit and hold a plebiscite after several months of discussions and white papers etc.
What's your take?
