Cruise ships can run casinos while in Bermuda ports
Then Premier Alex Scott, who vigorously opposes gambling on moral grounds, pushed through legislation to outlaw the Island’s 300-plus gaming machines in 2004.
Pro-gambling groups hoped Mr. Scott’s successor Dr. Brown would bring a more relaxed attitude, and have pointed to the Premier’s participation in overseas poker tournaments, including his much-criticised recent appearance at a gambling tournament at the notorious Los Angeles Playboy Mansion.
Poker games played by hundreds of people in Bermuda’s bars were suspended last year after Police raised concerns they could break gambling laws.
On Friday, Dr. Brown said a review of cruise industry trends concluded that Bermuda was losing its competitive edge attracting cruise ships, especially the smaller premium ships capable of docking in Hamilton and St. George’s.
He blamed this partly on increased competition from other summer destinations such as the Mediterranean and the Baltica and high operating costs in Bermuda.
But he added: “The common practice of prohibiting on-board revenue from shops, professional entertainment and casinos while ships are docked in Bermuda is also contributing to Bermuda’s loss of competitive advantage.
“The combined effect of increased competition and restricting on-board revenue sources has resulted in cruises to Bermuda being substantially less profitable when compared to Europe.”
As well as allowing casinos on cruise ships, Cabinet has also approved a proposal to waive the $14 cabin tax for Hamilton and St. George’s for three years from 2009.
Dr. Brown said Norwegian Cruise Line has committed to pay $150,000 a year to the Bermuda Music Festival and provide entertainers for Harbour Nights in Hamilton, produce an on-Island dining brochure distributed to all its cruise guests, and donate a total of $275,000 to the Bermuda Heritage Museum and St. George’s Foundation.
Negotiations are underway with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.
Describing the deal as a “win-win”, the Premier added: “With this programme we are confident that we will attract the smaller, premium ships to Hamilton and St. George’s which will assist the economy of both ports and provide additional revenue.”
But Mr. Swan responded: “We are not convinced of the Premier’s argument that cruise ship casinos on Front Street will improve Bermuda’s nightlife. It seems to us that the whole idea of keeping cruise ship casinos open is to keep cruise ship passengers on board instead of visiting local night spots.
“We are further concerned that cruise ships are driving public policy and not the people of Bermuda. In the past few years, Dr. Brown has shifted millions of dollars of public money for the development of the Dockyard cruise ship pier, in response to an industry trend and without any public debate.
“In that case, as in this decision on gambling in Bermuda, we are not convinced all options were thoroughly investigated before decisions were made. It appears more and more to us that the Tourism Ministry has become the personal fiefdom of the Premier to manage as he, and he alone, sees fit. Bermuda is bigger than this.”
Illegal Gambling Operation Broken Up In Davidson County
Another illegal gambling operation was broken up by police this past week. On Friday, Davidson County Sheriff’s rounded up people accused of running an illegal gambling operation.
Corporate Entertainment Solutions was the location of the bust. Police officers raided the location, and confiscated poker chips, cards, and $1,748 in cash from the business.
The owner of the business is Terry Blain Newman. He was arrested by officials and charged with gambling. He was being held on Friday on $1,000 bond. Five others were also charged in the bust.
While Newman was the person who was hauled away to jail, the other five were also charged with gambling. They were given notices to appear in court on July 21st. Vincent Walbner, Sekxahn Chantthaboury, Robert Ferree, Misty Speights, and Sheila Kiker, were all charged in the raid.
Authorities around the country have been cracking down on illegal gambling operations for the past year. Their efforts have increased of late. Usually, these bust have to do with illegal gambling slot machines or poker games.