‘Sebas eyeing run as MP’

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

WEBSHOP owner Sebas Bastian is seeking the PLP’s nomination in Fort Charlotte, according to multiple Tribune sources.

The move comes as the constituency’s MP, Alfred Sears, sidestepped questions yesterday about supporting Mr Bastian’s political ambitions, while former MP and power broker Valentine Grimes Sr confirmed Mr Bastian’s interest in entering frontline politics and offered a ringing endorsement, calling him a top-tier candidate already being embraced across the party.

However, prominent businessman Mr Bastian did not respond to The Tribune’s calls and requests for comment last month.

A potential political bid by him is likely to spark sharp public interest.

Mr Grimes, Fort Charlotte’s long-time representative from 1977 to 1992 and one of the party’s trustees, confirmed he has spoken to Mr Bastian and senior party officials about his ambitions.

“The reception to him throughout the length and breadth of the party has been very good at all levels,” he said.

Mr Grimes was careful not to link Mr Bastian’s political ambitions to any specific seat, but noted that he lived in Fort Charlotte for many years and

has “done a tremendous amount of social work, not only in Fort Charlotte, but throughout The Bahamas.”

“He seems to be a person with his heart in the right direction and wants to assist in making The Bahamas better,” he added.

For his part, Mr Sears refused to say yesterday whether he supports Mr Bastian as his successor and walked away from the line of questioning.

Mr Bastian’s name has emerged in a crowded field of potential candidates for the PLP’s Fort Charlotte nomination, which reportedly includes Senator Barry Griffin and Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations President Drumeco Archer. Mr Grimes said he has heard of about seven people eyeing the seat –– “all great people who are prepared to offer themselves”.

Former Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson is the frontrunner for the FNM’s nomination in that constituency.

Mr Bastian currently serves as The Bahamas’ non-resident ambassador to Central America and has built a wide-ranging business empire, founding

numerous companies across gaming, media, real estate, construction, and electric vehicle sales.

He is best known as the co-founder of Island Luck, one of the country’s larg- est gaming operations.

Before the legalisation of the industry, he operated the company as the largest and most prominent webshop in the booming underground gambling

scene. As the sector came under increasing public and governmental scrutiny, he emerged as a key figure advocating for regulation rather than eradication.

He is also the head of Brickell Management Group, which recently announced plans for a $510m development in western New Providence.

His entry into frontline politics could present legal complications. Under the Gaming Act, Cabinet ministers and their immediate relatives are prohibited from holding gaming licences.

Mr Grimes noted that Mr Bastian would likely require legal guidance.

“Because he is in gaming, there may be some legal requirements that may have to be fulfilled and he would take the advice of his attorneys,” he said.

Similar concerns arose after the last general election, when some speculated that Seabreeze MP Leslia Miller-Brice was bypassed for a Cabinet post due to her husband’s ties to the gaming industry.

The Gaming Board has since proposed amendments to the law that would allow gaming license holders or their relatives to serve in Cabinet, provided no conflict of interest is found. The Davis administration has not said whether it is considering the recommendation.

Comments

Sickened says...

My friends, the end is near!

Posted 8 July 2025, 8:56 a.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

The abomination of desolations?? Is this it?

Posted 8 July 2025, 12:07 p.m. Suggest removal

bahamianson says...

Unfortunate, but we have politicians whom did not listen to and respect our vote to blame for this slap in the face. I do not support this . You cannot buy me with no amount of money because I have self respect. I would rather eat bread and live in a hut( with AC) , than take money from apparent , ill gotten gains.

Posted 8 July 2025, 9 a.m. Suggest removal

JohnDoes says...

Everyone saw this coming. Politics is all about lining pockets. Too bad there a few good ones & many who should not be there. Now if only drugs can be regulated, then maybe 90 can run too.

Posted 8 July 2025, 9:37 a.m. Suggest removal

screwedbahamian says...

Political Consultant's fees for political and business priorities are mounting, and we the Bahamians have to pay for it. Also, them Christmas Hams and Turkeys have to be paid for with Bahamian interest rates! Let the Bahamian multi billionaires commence at the expense of us bruised, battered, grade "F" Citizens. Those too smart and refuse to spin, have to be bought into the "FOLD" somehow!!

Posted 8 July 2025, 11:03 a.m. Suggest removal

One says...

gangsta's paradise

Posted 8 July 2025, 11:08 a.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

Oh Jesus

Posted 8 July 2025, 12:04 p.m. Suggest removal

Porcupine says...

Was it not inevitable?
Money is never enough.
Like cocaine, very much like cocaine, money goes to one's head and distorts everything.
People become insatiable.
If there is nothing that is more apparent in this world at the present time, isn't it that WE should never, ever elect rich people to office.
Please, tell me when electing rich people to office has ever worked out for the Common People?
How can they represent people who are struggling when their biggest decision of the day is what kind of helicopter to fly to their party?
Let's get real.

Posted 8 July 2025, 12:10 p.m. Suggest removal

quavaduff says...

The US is dealing with this same level of corruption from a 6 times bankrupt casino owner trump .... it will not benefit the Bahamas in any way. This fella should be satisfied that he has already bought off a number of current politicians ... greed is intoxicating

Posted 8 July 2025, 1:09 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

The 'underground' Numbers Operations, may have grown to be far bigger than before legalizing 'only' the 'top 5' numbersmans'. -- The underground Haitian operators alone are said to be far bigger than Sebas Bastian was during his prime underground days. -- Yes?

Posted 8 July 2025, 3:33 p.m. Suggest removal

bogart says...

H. E. Sebastian Bastian with his helicopter, billionaire status, business sense would seems obviously to all to want all the Constituencies in the Bahamas to park his helicopter in their Constituency, and have a well run efficient job as he has constantly done.

In having H.E. Sebastian Bastian as owner of numbers of rwide ranging variety of businesses, existing office spaces and the vast knowledge and business knowledge to want to be a 'second fiddle' to anyone, ----- would be a massive and obvious under utilized professional in achieving his aims of development of his Bahamaland. Already, in the short time of his emergenge as a notable Bahamian, H.E. Sebastian Bastian seems to have accumulated experience in a vast numbers of critical areas than probably than efficiencies or lack present and run in almost the government ministries.

If H.E. Sebastian Bastian wants to be a MP, it would being a sweetheart of the nation to start his own Political Party, being his own boss and with his business sense to move the Commonwealth of the Bahamas ahead with widest possible prospects.

p.s. I already have a friend who knows a spot in another Constituency which could have a helicopter landing spot.

Posted 8 July 2025, 4:06 p.m. Suggest removal

Empiricist says...

This person is the Bahamian equivalent of Donald Trump. It makes sense that he is making his entrance into the political arena at this time. My prediction is that he will become the Prime Minister of this country. Morality, ethics and integrity are no longer criteria, as if they ever were important, that our leaders need to have.

He has had time to see the blueprint of how to get the top post in politics . I hope the Almighty helps us.

Posted 8 July 2025, 7:25 p.m. Suggest removal

ExposedU2C says...

We have Perry Vomit Christie, Slo Mo Sears, and our Jack-Arse PM Davis to thank for this slime ball thug now wanting to take control of the PLP party using the ill-gotten riches from his criminal empire that should have long ago been taxed out of business and replaced with a national lottery. Instead, many honest and hardworking Bahamians have been taxed out of business. And to think our puppet PM and tooty-fruity Fwreddy Boy are having to lick this scum-bag's dirty arse while giving him whatever he wants. Makes one shudder at the very thought of what's to come!

Posted 8 July 2025, 4:34 p.m. Suggest removal

Porcupine says...

All true.
Sad, but true.
And yes,think about the hundreds of millions of dollars the web shops bring in annually. That should all have been the People's money. Would we have to rely on philanthropists to get things done? This country could have been in a much, much better financial situation had we established a national lottery.
We could have agreed to pay Sebas to run this lottery for us, and give him 5 million dollars a year.
For that, he would stay out of jail.
Remember now, prior to the web shops being legal, they were illegal.
Why doesn't this bother anyone?
Why doesn't it seem to bother anyone that we handed away billions in dollars that is now being used to buy a political party, or two.

Posted 8 July 2025, 5:45 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

The 'other' Excellency: - HER EXCELLENCY LESLIA MILLER-BRICE, **MP** -- Yes?

Posted 8 July 2025, 4:57 p.m. Suggest removal

whatsup says...

After he wins in Fort Charlotte, Davis makes him a Cabinet Minister, then he runs for PM in the following Elections.

Posted 8 July 2025, 5:57 p.m. Suggest removal

bogart says...

Good comment Whatsup.

Question is which CABINET MINISTER portfolio or selection of alternatives CABINET MINISTER portfolios do you think H.E. Sebastian Bastian would be best suited to be selected ???

Posted 8 July 2025, 7:34 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

Minister of finance of course. They could create a new ministry of illegal gaming

Posted 8 July 2025, 7:45 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Comrade SABAS 100% - (SOBC) 0. -- Says lots about the stance of the Save Our Bahamas Committee (SOBC) - the group that opposed the 2013 gambling referendum. -- Comrades, that was 12 years back in time and like -- how many election moons ago....not talk, how many changes of governments and House-seated MPs'? -- Of which, Comrade SABAS, has as his ambition, set upon. --- Ask, WHY would he, even bother -- Yes?

Posted 8 July 2025, 7:26 p.m. Suggest removal

jackbnimble says...

This doesn't surprise me. He's clawed his way to the top of the business world on the backs of Bahamians too foolish to know better and he's lined the pockets of the politicians who enable him to have this kind of say.

Let me guess. They're going to amend the law to allow a game house owner to be in Cabinet because there is no way he's not going to settle for just being a regular old MP.

And there you have it folks... corruption at its finest. After all, money still talks and the other stuff just walks.

Posted 8 July 2025, 8:20 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Well, yes, Comrade SEBAS is generally accurate. -- Provided he hasn't been sentenced to Death and he meets the few other **constitutional and legal requirements, can run for and provided the majority of voters decide that he be House-seated. -- Yes?

Posted 8 July 2025, 8:49 p.m. Suggest removal

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