Let me say from the outset that I don't support gabbling but I respect the wishes of those who do as we live in a free society. I am not in support of depressing the success of any Bahamian (white or black) doing business in The Bahamas but I have a major concern with web shops in The Bahamas. Here is why:
1. Casinos vs Web shop gaming: Gaming at Atlantis and other hotel casinos, vs our we shops is like night and day. Our web shops suck money from poor Bahamians while these casinos target foreign monies from tourist. Compare a daily take-in of $1,000,000 by our web shop owners vs $100,000,000 per day by Atlantis. The web shops sucks $1,000,000 hard cash from 1000s of poor Bahamians and a few benefits. In the case of Atlantis, the cash intake from 1000s of tourists has a different impact with tax paid but little to no negative impact on the economy.
2. Taxes on Web shops vs Casinos like Atlantis: My view is that the taxes levied on the web shops must take into consideration the moral, social, complex physiological issues that results from sucking hard earned monies from poor Bahamians. In addition, it should also consider the impact on the local economy - especially on local businesses that have lost business due to the diversion of cash to the web shops
3. Proliferation of Web Shops in The Bahamas: If you ever visited Las Vegas, slot machines are everywhere (airport, restaurants, stores etc. The only good thing about gaming in Las Vegas is that there is an escape. Whether you drove to Las Vegas from one of the other 40 states, or flew from The Bahamas, once you have finished your trip or get broke you can leave. Compare gaming in Las Vegas verse The Bahamas. There is no escape. Web shops are everywhere- some within walking distance from homes, schools and. What is really disheartening is that with the allowance of the proliferation of web shops in the family island the government has in effect converted the entire Bahamas into a "Las Vegas" but with no escape. Gaming should not be allowed in the family islands at this time and the government should seek to minimize and control the proliferation of gaming.
4. Gaming is a Decease: Gaming is now legal in the Bahamas - to late. But appropriate taxes are in order. We must also recognize web shop gabbling in The Bahamas for what it is. It is a dangerous decease, a dangerous spirit. Like smoking cigarettes, taking drugs or drinking alcohol, the government, and local businesses must join in, to create education campaigns targeting gabbling specifically. We need posters at the roundabouts, and keep spots through the entire Bahamas, educating Bahamians, like in the case of smoking and drinking, that gabbling is dangerous for your family and health. we need television, radio, newspaper and social media promotions and advertising to educate Bahamians on how to gabble with caution or not at all.