Bermuda will hold a public referendum on casino gaming by late summer or early fall, according to Shawn Crockwell, minister of tourism development and transport.
“Gambling has been an issue here since 2008, debated pro and con. The people now seem ready to embrace it, recognizing that destinations that offer casino gaming are charging ahead of Bermuda in terms of luring investors and high tourism numbers. This could be a game changer to bring new hotel development to Bermuda and hopefully more visitors who will see it as an added amenity, particularly in terms of nighttime entertainment,” Crockwell said.
“We envision smaller, upscale facilities with a Monte Carlo feel to them with high-end table games. There will be no slot machines. Specifics are being discussed as to whether there would be one central casino partly owned by the government, or whether the casinos would be located in specific resorts,” he said.
During campaign season last fall before the December elections, both political parties endorsed casino gaming. The upcoming referendum now will allow the peoples' voices to be heard.
Crockwell estimates that the public vote on the referendum will draw close to 70% of the voting populace.
Bermuda legally cannot ban residents from using the casinos but will implement a licensing system to prevent what Crockwell termed “a social backlash.”
“We do not want our people going further into debt because of on-island gambling,” he said.
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