By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@

tribunemedia.net

FNM Chairman Darron Cash yesterday called on the Christie-led administration to restate its official position on web shop gaming following statements by a government minister that the industry was “here to stay.”

On a local radio show last week, Senator and Minister of State for National Security Keith Bell explained that police efforts to crack down on number houses were challenged by a continuing legal battle, and an entrenched culture.

Mr Bell added that while the government has made good on electoral promises to put the issue to referendum, the Bahamian people have yet to make a “definitive” decision on whether or not to discontinue the practice.

Yesterday, Mr Cash maintained that the PLP senator’s comments contradicted the government’s official position on the issue. 

Mr Cash renewed calls for Mr Bell’s resignation, pointing to a lack of public confidence in the junior minister’s authority and credibility. He claimed that Mr Bell was a “pretend” minister, because on two separate occasions he had not been allowed to assume the National Security portfolio in the absence of Dr Bernard Nottage.

“Minister Bell’s comments suggest that the agencies of National Security will not be moving with any seriousness to enforce the laws as the Supreme Court declared they are empowered to do,” said Mr Cash. “If Minister Bell is speaking for the government, then the PM must say so. If he is not, then Mr. Bell must resign or be terminated.   

“If he is speaking for himself, then with these latest utterances it is now entirely inappropriate for the PM to retain Minister Bell in office as Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security. With no urging from anyone, Mr. Bell has already signalled to the Bahamian people that he will not relentlessly enforce the laws of The Bahamas.”

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Perry Christie admitted that he was surprised with the outcome of the referendum which sought to legalise the numbers racket.

The failed January 28 referendum was poorly supported at the polls and resulted in an unanimous no vote to both questions on the ballot.

The first question read: Do you support the regulation and taxation of Web Shop gaming? The second question read: Do you support the establishment of a National Lottery?

Prior to the vote, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade admitted that he had been “far too tolerant” with number houses, adding that it was a “very difficult” issue for the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Following the poll, Mr Christie ordered that all the web shops throughout the country had to close down. 

Since then, police have not executed the promised crack down on web shops – despite repeated assurances from Mr Greenslade that officers were “mounting an operation.”

Web shop owners are seeking a declaration from the Supreme Court that their operations are not regulated by the Lotteries and Gaming Act.

If denied, then lawyers will move that the act is unconstitutional and that the owners had an agreement with the former FNM administration in exchange for confidential information on their businesses.

Wayne Munroe represents Island Luck, FML Group of Companies, Whatfall, Percy Web Caf, Asue Draw and Chances.

Mr Munroe and Alfred Sear’s clients, Paradise Games, were awarded a conservatory order on January 30.

However, it was lifted on April 9, giving authorities the ability to go into any establishment at any time to close it down if evidence of gaming is found.