Prime Minister Perry Christie recently revealed that the much anticipated gaming bill is riddled with issues; however he assures that the government has made significant progress so far.

“We’re finished with the constitutional legislation that we’ve put in parliament, we’re finished with VAT that we’ve put in parliament, we have the gaming legislation now , a lot of heavy lifting, a lot of issues involved with that, I think we yesterday (Wednesday) we completed a substantial part of that work, we have some little dressing up to do on it and then we’re ready for parliament,” he said.

“So if I could put those behind us in terms of effecting bills through parliament then we would be in good stead.”
This gaming bill was initially intended to be tabled earlier this month.

Despite the delay, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe recently said that the government would not rush the process as it must ensure that the banks, the FATF, web shop owners and Bahamians in general accept the provisions of the bill.

The tourism minister also said that the government was awaiting a report on web shop earnings from the accounting firm Grant Thornton.

Mr. Wilchcombe previously said that the report would assist with the government’s final touches to the gaming bill that is expected to be tabled in parliament by the end of July.

Mr. Christie briefly shed light on the government’s plans for energy reform as well.

He said that once the gaming bill is completed, the government will turn its attention to energy reform, adding that he plans to have a meeting with the deputy prime minister and Environment Minster Kindred Dorsett to discuss topic soon.