Bahamian gambling referendum, 2013

The Bahamas

This article is part of a series on the politics and government of the Bahamas
Executive Monarch Elizabeth II Governor-General Marguerite Pindling Prime Minister Perry Christie Cabinet
Legislature Senate President of the Senate House of Assembly Speaker
Judiciary Judicial Committee of the Privy Council Court of Appeal Supreme Court Magistrates' Court Law of the Bahamas
Local government Local Government Act 1996 Chief Councillors
Elections General 1962 1967 1968 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002 2007 2012 2017 Political parties FNM PLP DNA
Foreign relations
Other countries Atlas Politics portal

A referendum on legalising web shops and establishing a national lottery was held in the Bahamas on 28 January 2013.^[1] Both proposals were rejected by voters.^[2]

Background

Gambling is currently illegal for Bahamian citizens. However, illegal gambling establishments known as "web shops" allow betting on American lottery numbers.^[1] The referendum had been a campaign promise of the Progressive Liberal Party prior to the 2012 general elections.^[3] After winning the elections, plans were announced to Parliament on 1 November 2012 to hold a referendum on legalising web shops on 3 December. However, on 16 November a further announcement was made that the national lottery question would also be asked and a new date of 28 January 2013 was proposed.^[4]

Legalising and regulating the web shops was supported by Prime Minister Perry Christie, who claimed it could raise $20 million a year in tax revenues. However, religious groups opposed the move.^[1]

Results

Do you support the regulation and taxation of Web Shop gaming?^[4]

Choice	Votes	%
For	32,533	39.29
Against	50,270	60.71
Invalid/blank votes		–
Total	82,803	100
Source: Bahamas Local

Do you support the establishment of a National Lottery?^[4]

Choice	Votes	%
For	32,850	40.44
Against	48,389	59.56
Invalid/blank votes		–
Total	81,239	100
Source: Bahamas Local

References

1 2 3 Bahamas prepares two-part referendum that seeks to legalize gambling The Washington Post, 3 January 2013
↑ Voters in Bahamas Reject Gambling Referendum ABC News, 28 January 2013
↑ A Charter for Governance Progressive Liberal Party
1 2 3 National Address on a Referendum to ascertain Bahamian support for the regulation and taxation of Web Shop Gaming and the establishment of a National Lottery Government of Bahamas

Elections and referendums in the Bahamas

General elections	1729 1731 1743 1764 1770 1772 1784 1794 1801 ... 1817 1818 1820 ... 1832 1833 1839 1844 1851 1858 1864 1869 1875 1882 1889 1896 1903 1910 1919 ... 1928 1935 1942 1949 1956 1962 1967 1968 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002 2007 2012

Referendums	2002 2013

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, August 15, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.