By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE government plans to deal with the discriminatory clauses that prevent Bahamians from gambling in casinos, according to Prime Minister Perry Christie.

Mr Christie said that although proposed changes to legislation were intended to mordernise gaming primarily for non Bahamians in the country, there were obvious issues with regard to the rights of locals within existing law.

He was speaking to reporters yesterday outside of the House of Assembly ahead of next week’s highly anticipated debate on Gaming provisions. He added that his party had not reached a consensus on the Bill or the direction that it should ultimately take.

Mr Christie said: “The issue of discrimination will come up and I am saying right now it exists. We will deal with it. For example If I am sitting in there and all the Members of Parliament get up or the great majority of them get up and say we are against this what do you expect me to do?

“We have to listen to the Members of Parliament when they speak.

“I am saying that the country wants a government that is able to listen to the people and respond positively with respect to what is taking place.

“There are some people who feel very strongly that we ought not to discriminate against Bahamians. I know that there are all sorts of contradictions.”

The Gaming Bill attracted much attention earlier this week when a clause was discovered that would permit permanent residents and work permit holders to gamble in casinos.

The new Bill was tabled in the House of Assembly last week and contained recommendations made by the gaming committee. It is expected to allow casino operators to offer mobile gaming to visitors.

The present Bill prohibits gaming for any person ordinarily living in the country, a permanent resident, a work permit holder or the spouse of any of those persons.