Bahamas Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar recently stated his support for a national lottery, due to the country’s challenging financial status and the possible risk of future credit downgrades. His department has responsibility for gaming. D’Aguilar said, “Bahamians are crying for a lottery. That’s very much front and center in my mind. My position is the status quo, in the eyes of many, including the government, needs tweaking. It warrants a discussion.”
Regarding the proliferation of web shops, D’Aguilar noted, “This whole industry has been shrouded in a certain element of secrecy. We’ve got to have discussions and see where it’s going to go.” He said web shops comparing themselves to hotel casinos “shouldn’t be taken seriously.” D’Aguilar said gambling houses like Atlantis and Baha Mar, although they generate billions of dollars in gross domestic product impact and foreign exchange earnings, actually are “wealth redistributors rather than creators, taking money from many, with the profits reaped by relatively few.”
Some observers said most of the funds from a national lottery should be directed to the public treasury to be used for more student scholarships, culture, sports, youth programs and other initiatives for social good. Others believe because the Bahamas face serious economic challenges, including large public sector deficits and debt, revenue from a national lottery could go toward expanding economic development and lowering the annual deficit. In addition, national lottery revenue also could fund the proposed agenda of the Free National Movement, led by Hubert Minnis, including youth entrepreneurship programs, targeted tax incentives for inner city communities, expanding solar energy, creating a Native Food Market in New Providence and comprehensive social intervention initiatives, among other objectives.
