By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

FIFTY per cent of the Bahamians who answered a gambling survey yesterday in downtown Nassau, said they would support a national lottery being established.

However, 55 per cent of the 360 men and women who answered the survey between 7am and 4pm yesterday, rejected the option of supporting legalization of numbers with a ‘No’ vote.

As the January 28 gambling referendum, the National Polling Commission led by Chairman Brian Lynden Smith conducted a survey with four questions concerning gambling and the results were sent to The Tribune last night.

The four questions were: “Do you gamble? Do you support legalization of the numbers web shop? Do you support a national lottery? Should Bahamians be allowed to gambling in the casinos of the Bahamas?”

In the nine hours that the survey was conducted, 170 men and 190 women, answered the survey.

Regarding the first question, combined statistics show that 43 per cent, or 155 of those surveyed do gamble while 59 per cent of 196 persons said no. Nine persons or two per cent of the respondents were undecided.

Concerning the legalization of the numbers web shop, 44 per cent of 158 persons said yes and 55 per cent of 173 persons said no. Five persons were undecided on this issue.

Fifty per cent or 179 persons would support a national lottery while 173 would not.

When asked if Bahamians should be allowed to gamble in casinos,  48 per cent of the 360 men and women said yes while 50 per cent said no. Eight persons were undecided in this poll.

Results of the poll show that men gamble more than women and showed more support for the three forms of gambling listed on the ballots than women.

Rodney Moncur, J.P, who officiated the survey and is also a member of the commission, said that the purpose of the poll was to gauge the public’s thoughts on the gambling debate.

“We wanted to gauge public response to what is taking place. We felt that Bay Street would be an area where a variety of person would participate in the poll,” Mr Moncur said.

“It is to be noted that about four white Bahamians participated. It was a perfect place for a variety of persons passing along the path.”