Betting shops across the island have been closed down as part of a crackdown on the industry after operators failed to apply for licence renewals in time.
On Friday, a Bermuda Gaming Commission (BGC) spokeswoman said the commission was given “new and more robust” powers to police the betting industry last August.
“These changes are intended to ensure that gaming is conducted honestly and to reduce societal harm — for example, provisions prohibiting minors on the premises.”
She said there were four licensed bookmakers on the island, who ran five shops, although only three of them have been open in the past three months. Punters have to fork out a 20 per cent government tax on every bet — principally on British horse racing — they place.
Albert Steede, a former national team cricketer who runs one betting shop in Hamilton and another in St George’s, said he would discuss his licences with the BGC next week.
He added: “We just have to sort it out with the commission. I will be speaking to them on Tuesday to find out specifically what is required.”
The BGC spokeswoman said: “Whilst the commission can and has exercised discretion in the handling of the applications, there are some prescribed legislative requirements where the commission has no discretion.
“One such legislative requirement is that all licences expire on March 31 — and the commission has no legislative authority to extend licences beyond that date in the absence of a complete application.”
She said renewal applications should have been lodged at least three months before the licences expired.
The spokeswoman said the commission extended the deadline for the submission of the renewal for all applications by 30 days to January 31.
“The commission further extended the deadline for the filing of applications for two of the betting shops who requested it,” the spokeswoman said while added that “regrettably, the commission has not received one complete application that meets all mandatory, statutory requirements from existing licensees for renewal by the deadline of March 31. As a result, all four betting licences have expired, and betting shops must cease operations as of the end of March 31.”
She added: “The commission will continue to work with applicants once they have submitted a complete application as required by the legislation and will support all applications in this process.”
Bets on crown and anchor, a popular dice game permitted at major cricket matches in the island, are tax-free.
Bermuda is still waiting to open its first casino — even though parliament gave the green light for their introduction in December 2014.
https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/bermuda-all-bets-delinquent-bookies-are-closed-downBagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Bermuda: All bets off as delinquent bookies are closed down | Loop Caribbean News - Loop News Caribbean"
Post a Comment