The Bahamian government is urging the businesses of the island of Grand Bahama to consider getting into the gambling business.
Executive Chairman of the Gaming Board Dr. Daniel Johnson spoke on the matter last week as part of the Bet on the Bahamas celebration commemorating a century of gambling in the country.
3 licenses available for Grand Bahama gambling
“The mandate of this new board is very clear. We are in a rebrand, renew, rebuild, phase. This is now the time go for it,” he said. “You all have three gaming licenses for hotel and casino on Grand Bahama. We (Gaming Board) haven’t gotten a penny from those hotel and casino licenses in almost 20 years. That’s what I’m coming for.”
While other cities like Orlando, Nevada, and Nassau have fully embraced the resort casino experience, Grand Bahama is lacking a property similar to something like Atlantis, an all-inclusive resort with a casino on property. Nevada hosts 50 million visitors a year while Orlando brings in 40 million. From January to September last year, the Bahamian casino industry generated $131 million in revenue.
Johnson and the Gaming Board hope to issue one license before the end of the year. Then, in 2023, the aim is to issue another. The group wants the licensees to be locally owned businesses, such as boutique hotels.
I come here to say today, we want this business back and we coming to get it. I issuing that license this year,” he added.
Minister encourages responsible Grand Bahama gambling expansion
Grand Bahama Minister Ginger Moxey was present at the festivities as well. She spoke about the issue, asking the board to, “execute the social responsibility aspect of the Board as a priority agenda item.”
“There’s so much that we can do together that will allow our people to live in dignity again if we join hands and work together,” she added.
