Shawn Crockwell believes a single integrated casino resort could employ around a thousand Bermudians and generate millions of dollars for the local economy.

And while the Tourism Minister stressed that the details are not set in stone, he described measures Government is considering introducing to prevent casinos causing social problems.

Speaking at Penno’s Wharf during the first of a series of town hall meetings on the subject of gaming in Bermuda, Mr Crockwell told the more than 100 people in attendance that, based on the current air arrivals, and the belief that around ten to 15 percent of residents would take part, the Island can support around three casinos.

He said most Bermudians over the age of 21 will be allowed to gamble in the casinos, but added that Government is considering a Singapore-esque strategy which would prohibit some residents from taking part.

Among those prevented from gaming in Singapore are those on financial assistance, living in government housing, or in arrears with the courts.

Legislation there also allows members of the public to voluntarily add themselves to the excluded list and — more controversially — apply for immediate family members to be put on the excluded list.

“I think we could have something similar here,” Mr Crockwell said. “Someone can be reported and an investigation takes place.”

He said other safeguards could be put in place to prevent the most vulnerable from being negatively impacted, such as not allowing ATM machines on the casino floor, no extension of credit to locals without premium accounts, and installing an entry fee for residents.

“In Singapore it’s $100 to get in,” he said. “Now some people react and say, ‘that’s not a lot of money’, and Singapore is a very affluent country, but most if not all of the residents that I met, I asked them if they go to the casinos. They said no. I asked why not? And they said because of that levee.

“Even if you are inclined to pay the $100, you’re not inclined to want to pay two or three times a month. That’s $300, $400 out of your pocket just to attend. The casual gamer may go on special occasions.”

Mr Crockwell stressed Government’s belief that introducing integrated hotel casinos to the Island is vital for encouraging investment in the tourism industry and creating jobs. He noted that around 98,000 tourists travel to the Bahamas specifically to enjoy casino gaming, including more than 36,000 from New York alone, pumping millions into that nation’s economy.

“If we have a decent integrated resort, if the integrated resort does what it’s supposed to do, if the Tourism Authority does what it’s supposed to do and markets the Island, and if we do all the right things, we believe that we can attract 5,522 [visitors] from the Miami area, we can attract 15,698 from the New York market,” he said.

“We expect casino gaming to spur hotel development, investment, job creation, visitor arrivals and tax revenue. As far as we are concerned, looking at the data, it all looks very positive for Bermuda.

“When we first start off, we are thinking we will make $50 million off of casino gaming in an integrated resort. By year three, we are looking at around $60 million. The proposed government tax rate on that is ten percent. We have had other consultants suggest that we tax up to 20 percent, and that’s a decision that Government will have to make. The lower the tax rate, the more incentive to get a casino operator in Bermuda.”

He noted that in addition to the revenue directly from gaming, Government would be able to raise even more funds through hotel occupancy tax, and payroll tax.

Mr Crockwell also told the crowd that the construction of a single integrated casino resort would create 1,113 direct, and indirect jobs, while the casino itself could employ up to 913 Bermudians.

“Just one integrated resort can create significant job opportunities for Bermudians,” he said.

The Tourism Minister also noted that so far seven parties have expressed interest in a request for proposal for the former Club Med site, and it is hoped that even more parties will come forward before the April deadline.

Questioned as to why the Government chose to focus their attention on the Singapore model, rather than Las Vegas, Attorney General Mark Pettingill said the Singapore government had spent years looking at the various models and, because of the British history of the jurisdiction, the legislation can more easily be adapted to suit Bermuda.