Bermuda moves forward with casino bill
The Bermuda Casino Gambling Commission discussion has moved forward with the government’s assessment.
Bermuda Islands.- The government of the Bermuda Islands has established that the MPs will get a free vote on casino bill aiming at setting an independent Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission under ministerial control. Furthermore, the government revealed that PLP MPs will get a conscience vote on the legislation.
The announcement was confirmed last week by Government Whip Michael Weeks. The casino bill would “the commission to follow the minister’s general policy directions and give him the power to sack commissioners without cause.” Two Progressive Labour Party backbenchers said the bill will have the full support of the party.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Justice, a civil liberties organisation, commented: “Following the tabling of the Casino Gaming Amendment Bill 2017 … we wrote to Minister Simmons urging him to postpone the debate of the Bill until such time as there has been full consultation with key stakeholders. Centre for Justice does not involve itself in areas that fall outside our remit. Gaming, in and of itself, is one such area that does not concern CfJ. However, in this instance, the Bill seeks to make changes to existing legislation that appear to deal with matters of good governance.”
Under the new project passed by the Bermudan Parliament, the Casino Gaming Commission has become completely dependent of the national government’s institution. The decision was made after corruption allegations. The proposal also establishes the resignation of Alan Dunch, incumbent Chairman of the Bermudan Gaming Commission. Simmons had requested the resignation of Dunch on three separate occasions: on August 10, September 27 and October 20, 2017.
