'Illegal gambling is already taking place in BVI' - Premier Fahie
"Gambling is already taking place in the BVI, illegal gambling... everybody knows this is happening and we are moving it from illegal to legal," Hon Fahie said during the Ninth Sitting of the Second session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on June 16, 2020.
Opposition Leader, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8); however, said the Government proposed Gambling (Gaming & Betting) Control Act, 2020, lacked proper analysis.
More analysis needed - Opposition Leader
Even as the bill was being actively debated in the HoA Tuesday evening, the Opposition Leader said there is a need for input from all House members and that the economic impacts of regulated gambling needed to be assessed.
Hon Penn's argument focused on the Territory's ability to sustain the industry, the framework to regulate the industry and the possibilities of the legislation opening doors to money laundering and other related issues.
While Hon Penn did not oppose the industry, he said some consultations could come from the financial services sector as a starting point.
On the moral front, Senior Pastor of the Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church, Dr Melvin A. Turnbull has said gambling amounts to "theft by permission" and sometimes only God can help overcome the habit.
Dr Turnbull, comparing gambling to alcohol, said it promotes a greedy spirit and it emphasises getting rather than giving, selfish interest rather than self-sacrifice, and erodes the moral fibre of society.
Religious Arguments
Hon Fahie said: "Some persons would say I don't agree with it and we'll have the debates, the religious debates, the moral debates, all kinds of debates."
He said often, persons are programmed to view issues through a certain lens, "I want to know who makes some of these people... to decide who God blessing and who God guiding and who God speaking to."
The Premier said the legislation is not by surprise, as it was previously announced in the November 14, 2019, Speech from the Throne.
Hon Fahie has also argued that the legislation will create jobs and boost revenues for the Territory especially in times of economic perils such as natural disasters and pandemics.
The bill is now in committee stage for analysis.
The HoA reconvenes today, Thursday, June 18, 2020.
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13 Responses to “'Illegal gambling is already taking place in BVI' - Premier Fahie”
Hon. Marlon Penn should know about illegal gambling very well. It is no secret who is a big spender at cockfighting in East. This legislation should have no opposition.
Are the Cruise ships upon reopening our borders going to be overnighting in our harbours because of the gambling act? I hardly think so. The situation is that when your moneys and resources have been squandered you will do most things because of your situation. The tough situation with the FCO laying down the requirement and rules for the RDA is because of our Knee Jerk response to dealing with and squandering tax payers moneys; the same thing with the requirement for the Financial Protocols for Financial Management. How do you introduce New Revenue Streams? rather Creatively. Introduce new taxes (eg 7%), Drag Racing, Bigger more powerful motor cycles and of course gambling.