By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR Minister Shane Gibson has denied that gambling for money takes place at Nygard Cay.

He said in parliament yesterday that in visiting Peter Nygard’s residence numerous times over the last 25 years, he has never seen any casino games being played for gain.

“There is no such thing as gaming at Nygard Cay,” Mr Gibson said, “I have visited Nygard Cay over and repeatedly and you play poker with chips, not no money.

“I don’t know if that was intentional or unintentional but based on what he (North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly) said, he is giving the potential that there is gambling happening at Nygard Cay when that is absolutely not the case.”

The Minister was responding to Mr Neilly, who said that if officials in the 
Bahamas could not police gaming at Nygard Cay, then it would be impossible to properly regulate stem cell research.

“To be honest with ourselves we are a small country.

“There are issues to enforcing laws and we might have regulations but there are issues with enforcing laws.

“I noticed a clip on YouTube about Nygard gaming and gaming at the cay.

“If we cannot enforce the laws as it relates to gaming at Nygard Cay, how can we enforce the laws and regulations as it relates to stem cell research?” Mr Neilly asked.