Friday, October 10, 2025
By JADE RUSSELL
Tribune Staff Reporter
jrussell@tribunemedia.net
ISLAND Luck CEO Sebas Bastian says he is stepping aside from his gaming business as he pursues the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) nomination for Fort Charlotte, declaring he is “ready to serve” as the party prepares its slate of candidates for the next general election.
His comments came after he was interviewed by the PLP’s Candidates Committee at the party’s headquarters yesterday.
Mr Bastian arrived to cheers from supporters gathered outside the PLP headquarters, some shouting, “Sebas is the man for Fort Charlotte,” as he made his way inside.
After his interview, Mr Bastian said he was confident in his ability to balance his business interests with public service. “I have over 20 companies, and I’m only the CEO of one,” he said. “I didn’t build my businesses by myself. I have more than competent teams to ensure continuity in those businesses. I’m here to serve. I have a higher purpose now, and I’m going to focus on that. So, I’m not worried about that.”
When asked directly if he would step down from Island Luck, he replied: “Absolutely. That’s a done deal. Without politics, I was stepping down.”
There has long been speculation about how Mr Bastian’s gaming interests could affect his political future, and some will interpret his decision as an effort to improve his chances of securing a Cabinet position if the PLP wins again. Under Section 25 of the Gaming Act, Cabinet ministers, their spouses, and immediate relatives are prohibited from holding gaming licences or having any ownership or financial interest in a licensed operation. Prime Minister Philip Davis has said the government will not amend the existing law barring Cabinet ministers and their families from holding interests in the gaming industry.
Mr Bastian described his interview with the committee as organised and transparent, saying members “didn’t spare anything.” He said he was not given a timeline for the final decision but was assured it would come soon.
Fort Charlotte MP Alfred Sears announced in May that he will not seek re-election. Yesterday, Eyewitness News reported that Mr Sears has endorsed him as his successor.
Mr Bastian said his priorities for the constituency include creating a community impact centre, promoting affordable housing, and tackling the high cost of living.
Several Fort Charlotte residents expressed strong support for him, citing his business and leadership record as evidence that he can deliver for the community. Branch officer Felicity Rolle said she believes he has the discipline and drive to win the seat and strengthen the PLP’s national standing, while longtime supporter Ellison Justen said his success creating jobs and opportunities proves he can help families in need.
Dolores “Red” Archer Adderley, chair of the Fort Charlotte branch, said most branch executives voted to recommend Mr Bastian for the nomination this week. “We didn’t have the opportunity to really have an interview with him,” she said, “but we chose him based on his knowledge, his participation in the country, his interest in social events, and his interest in caring for people.”
She praised his philanthropy, pointing to his Island Cares initiative, which she said has “always given back to the community of Nassau and The Bahamas.”
Comments
tell_it_like_it_is says...
Sure he is stepping aside🙄 Money is never enough for these people. They always eventually want power. This won't go well. It won't be all that he gambled for! lol
Posted 10 October 2025, 9:49 a.m. Suggest removal
hrysippus says...
Is this what happens when you start to believe the carefully constructed myth about your own abilities?
Posted 10 October 2025, 10:15 a.m. Suggest removal
Porcupine says...
Also says a lot about Sears, in endorsing him.
Party over country. Always has been. Yes, we love getting played.
Posted 11 October 2025, 8:32 a.m. Suggest removal
joeblow says...
*"Mr Bastian said his priorities for the constituency include creating a community impact centre, promoting affordable housing, and tackling the high cost of living."*
... interesting, since his business model involves undermining the work ethic and siphoning wealth from over the hill communities by enticing people to play games in which the house always wins! I am convinced, Bahamians loved getting played!
Posted 10 October 2025, 10:23 a.m. Suggest removal
realfreethinker says...
You are so correct
Posted 10 October 2025, 1:32 p.m. Suggest removal
Porcupine says...
Sad, but true.
These are the final stages of a collapsing nation.
Posted 11 October 2025, 8:31 a.m. Suggest removal
realitycheck242 says...
Former FNM MP Travis Robinson could forget about winning the Ft Charlotte seat. Not in his wildest dreams can he win. Sorry FNM this one in the PLP win column.
Posted 10 October 2025, 10:56 a.m. Suggest removal
AnObserver says...
This is sure to end well. But hey, everything is cyclical. Our politicians throughout the '80s were funded with drug money, then in the '00s it was pedo money from Nygard, and now it is ill-gotten gains from gambling.
Posted 10 October 2025, 11:07 a.m. Suggest removal
DreamerX says...
I just don't comprehend what a rational reason a party would think he is a fit candidate. Are they beholden to him for some reason?
He, himself, is a controversial topic. One must suspect, why would he want to do this when he's lauded as a man always so busy running businesses. Why would he hand that over or in the case that he doesn't, why would we trust another business person to not seek their interest even in ways we can't comprehend are their interest, given how vast his business interests are rumored to be.
Nothing is stopping him from building community centers or investing in the betterment of the Bahamas at this time, given his estimated wealth, so why the need for this?
This goes for all the Bahamian multimillionaires, not grandstanding singularly for Mr. Bastian.
Posted 10 October 2025, 12:17 p.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
It's all about the money. The financial world is no longer lauding millionaires, they're essentially the rich lower class. The financial world is is talking about the top billionaires and the first trillionaire
Posted 10 October 2025, 6:35 p.m. Suggest removal
whatsup says...
THE NEXT PM OF THE BAHAMAS. They have a plan, he runs in a safe seat. PM makes him a Minister, then PM resigns and he is Head of the PLP and next PM....bought and paid for with gambling house money. We voted NO to gambling houses but Christie ignored us, now we will have him as our next PM....this country is so full of corruption that it is becoming difficult to find anyone who is NOT CORRUPT.
Posted 10 October 2025, 12:57 p.m. Suggest removal
Porcupine says...
Pass a referendum nationalizing the web shops.
Who in their right mind, wouldn't vote for this?
Posted 11 October 2025, 9:04 a.m. Suggest removal
TalRussell says...
Whilst PLPs were busy snagging likes of SABAS and Inagua's Dupuch. --- RedShirts' constituencies, own branch members are thwartin' dear leader Pintard's nominations.-- Even "Papa" Hurbert loyalist are back in action over in Cooper's Town. ---- From my rewatching of the Long Island constituency are one thing I've noticed that both the "Yellahs' and Reds,'" are shying away from the subject of Long Island representation ongoing serious court matters. --- Yes?
Posted 10 October 2025, 1:48 p.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
He is not interested in the life of any Bahamian but himself. How do we know? Look at his employees and look at the Bahamas since the 16 years that Perry Christie gave him a moratorium to take in millions and millions. What did he do? He made himself richer, gobbled up industries, construction, land, rental markets, digital marketplace and now electronic cars. He wants to open a bank. He has shown every Bahamian very clearly what he will do with even more power
Posted 10 October 2025, 6:39 p.m. Suggest removal
GodSpeed says...
How does someone who built his wealth by preying on the poor now claim he’s ‘ready to serve’? Do PLP supporters actually believe that line? Well I guess people give him their money willingly, nobody is forcing anyone to gamble, but still ....installing into government an arrogant criminal who never paid for his crimes but was rewarded, is not a good idea, we'll reap what we sow on a national level. He is obviously making this move motivated by his own self-interests and greed. Corruption will be off the charts, business as usual I guess, until the country ends up in ruin.
Posted 11 October 2025, 12:02 a.m. Suggest removal
TalRussell says...
I guess what's viewed as pleasing by a large cross-section of the local popoulaces' is the "Yellahs' Party's remarkability in how they're creating a space for a **'Sebas and a Dupuch,'** who comes out of a group of youngsters unaccustomed to two far opposite degrees of wealth, "where cod-**liver** oil would've been about as famili they'd come to anything served on silver." --- **Sebas, Percy Munnings, Arnold Cargill, 'Papa" Hubert, 'Tiger' Finlaysonn, 'Pop' Symonette, along many others, didn't revolt!!** --- I am /was close to all, excepting 'Sebas'.-- Yes?
Posted 11 October 2025, 4:53 a.m. Suggest removal
Porcupine says...
There is no better indication that our educational system has failed, our pastors have only served themselves, and our politicians have no soul.
What good could possibly come from this election?
The PLP, the beloved Bahamian party, has born nothing but sociopaths and criminals. ALL!
Posted 11 October 2025, 8:01 a.m. Suggest removal
screwedbahamian says...
Millionaires who make their seed money illegally off the backs of the most dissident citizens for
an empty promise of a potential benefit to change their lives and family lives and have their Illegal business legalized against the wishes of the nation, will just keep coming back to further enrich themselves of greater wealth of the backs of all citizens. Millionaires who do not set their goals of being Billionaires whatever the means do not exist.
This is not about a multi-millionaire taking a job for $28,000.00 per year, rather that a structured plan with the help of many inside and outside individuals for further use of our beautiful Bahamas for seed money.
Ask the questions, do not sell the future of our homeland for an election turkey or ham.
Posted 11 October 2025, 9:16 a.m. Suggest removal
TalRussell says...
Latest coming down the Fort Charlotte pipeline is RedShirts's chairman Dr. Duane has a late entry-running Romauld “Romi” Ferreir as the only candidate with proven environment experience. --- An mp and environment minister wrapped in one package with the campaign jingle. **'Why Elect Three Chickens To Do A Job One Goat Will Do'** --- I keep saying-"Can't just keep on making stuff up. -- Yes?
Posted 11 October 2025, 2:59 p.m. Suggest removal
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