December 16, 2013

Dear Sir,

There is a lot of fuss going on over the OBA decision to not choose to go the route of a referendum on gaming. Admittedly, this does not look like a respectable move from first glance; however, if one takes a harder look it is a wise move in my opinion. I have spoken before about issues/ideas that have been spoken of in Bermuda, but always fall flat. They fall flat due to a lack of vision and small minded the mentality that permeates Bermudian society. Too many people in Bermuda are stuck in this 1960s-1980’s mentality. The cost of a referendum is 500,000 in estimate. We do not have the money to afford this. I personally think it would go in favour of allowing gaming in the first place anyway. The gaming can be set up quite sensibly. It can be done in such a way that monitors a Bermudian’s usage and those that are “addicted” are banned. That’s the only thing people can use in my mind use as ammo to say no to it, but anything in life can be made into a vice. Texting/cellphone usage is a vice. Most are addicted to their cellular device. So much so people die from using it whilst driving on the tiny island of Bermuda because they cannot stop for 15 mins. Did we ban cell phones all together?- NO. But legislation is in place to fine those that text/talk while driving, and legislation can be put in place to prevent gambling addiction. Anything in life can be an addiction such as sex, video-gaming, or even eating (hence a growing overweight population in Bermuda). Shall we all ban these things too? People need to be left to make their own decisions in life. Governments are there to make guidelines so that society has the most suitable outcomes, but they cannot run every aspect of our lives. If you wish a dictatorship that does so, then move to North Korea. Give the gaming a chance. If it doesn’t work to boost revenue and you don’t like the OBA because of it, then vote them out next election.

Robert Davies Jr.

Devonshire