Premier claims popular support for gaming
Bermudians who want the right to decide if casinos should be legalized in the British territory continue to gather signatures on a petition pushing for a referendum.
In December, lawmakers opted for a legislative vote instead of a public ballot. At the time, Premier Craig Cannonier claimed that casino opponents would undermine the voting process if it went forward; he also said 70 percent of islanders already support casinos, suggesting the vote would only be a formality.
The petition group insists the community is entitled to decide if it wants gaming.
“It is our belief that a referendum on casino gambling is the right thing to do, in as much as it provides a credible vehicle to settle the issue of casino gambling in Bermuda, one way or the other,” Jonathan Starling, of Referendum for Bermuda, told the Bermuda Sun. “The lead-up to a referendum allows for a truly objective educational campaign involving both for and against campaigns.”
