Bahamas to hold gambling referendum

The pledge comes following the election to national power last May of the Progressive Liberal Party, which had made the plebiscite one of the cornerstones of its Charter For Government agenda promises for the first 100 days.

The referendum, however, will not extend to any other forms of gambling such as whether Bahamians should be permitted to engage in casino gaming with new Prime Minister Perry Christie stating that his government is to maintain a position of complete neutrality on the issue.

“I wish to confirm that it is my Government's intention to proceed with a referendum on the issue of a national lottery and/or web cafes as soon as practicable following the anticipated by-election in North Abaco later this year,” said Christie. “We will not campaign for, nor will we encourage the adoption of, either a yes or no position on any of the referendum issues.”

Christie revealed that at least 30 days will now elapse before an actual voting day in order to allow for public debate on the issues. The 69-year-old former athlete declared that his government is set to take ‘appropriate announcements on the way forward’ after the results of the referendum are known in full.