Government responded to a host of questions regarding the introduction of gaming on the Island during a town-hall meeting in St George’s this week.

Tourism Minister Shawn Crockwell told the crowd at Penno’s Wharf that while it was believed that three integrated hotel casinos would be appropriate in Bermuda, even a single such resort would generate millions in revenue annually and employ around a thousand people.

He also said that Government was considering a Singapore-esque exclusion system, which wouldn’t allow locals to gamble if they fell into certain categories, such as being on financial assistance, bankrupt or in arrears with the courts.

Nelson Hunt, who is involved in the Morgan’s Point project, asked who would be given permission to operate the three casinos, noting that he had long fought for casino gaming in Bermuda.

“If Morgan’s Point doesn’t get it, and we have been fighting for it for years we would be very mad people because we have made a major, major investment,” he said. “I would be some kind of p****d off if some one jumped in front and, believe me, I can go ballistic.”

Meanwhile, Steve Simons said Government’s revenue estimates were “very conservative” but called on Government to promise the public the casinos would be staffed by Bermudians, saying locals should be guaranteed in legislation 75 percent of the jobs.

He also suggested that bars and restaurants should be allowed to have gaming machines.

Senator Diallo Rabain asked Mr Crockwell to explain the wording of the abandoned referendum tabled in the House of Assembly late last year.

“You stated that in October of 2013 the Mindmaps poll came back with 70 percent approval rating for the question ‘Do you support casino gaming in Bermuda?’ Why then, when you submitted the Referendum Act at the end of November, the question changed to “Do you support the introduction of regulated casino gaming for the purposes of creating new jobs for Bermudians and encouraging hotel development?’” said Sen Rabain.

Mr Crockwell responded that the Government believed it was prudent to articulate the reasons they are seeking to introduce casino gaming to the Island.

“The reason why the government was bringing casino gaming is for hotel development and for job creation,” he said. “That is why we are doing it, that is our justification for doing it, and so we wanted that to be evidenced in the question.

“We recognise that some people took issue with that, but it’s a moot point now because we’re not going to have a referendum.”

Sandy Butterfield, co-founder of Focus Counselling, expressed concerns that the $100 entrance fee suggested by the Minister would not be enough to deter those with a gambling problem, saying $300 or $400 a week would be “chump change”.

She also questioned how the authorities would know if a person was in arrears or on financial assistance. Attorney General Mark Pettingill said that in order to enter a casino, residents would need to have a gaming card, which they would have to apply for through Government.

“If you are in the categories that the Minister mentioned, if you are in arrears with child support, you don’t qualify,” Mr Pettingill said. “If you show up at the casino and you don’t have a gaming card, you can’t get in, so there’s no discrimination.”

Another member of the public said the measures appeared “somewhat draconian”, questioning how the public could trust the Government to keep the information confidential after their 180 on having a gaming referendum.

“The Government wants to restore that trust,” Mr Crockwell said. “We have an obligation to do that. Sometimes promises are broken for the better good and we believe in this case that is what was achieved.”

He added that Government already had information regarding who is on financial assistance and in arrears to the courts in its systems, and would continue to protect the privacy of the public.

Mr Crockwell also addressed concerns that those who come to Bermuda for gaming may remain in the inclusive resort, limiting the beneficial impact of gaming tourism to the resort itself.

“What separates us from other jurisdictions is that we are safe,” he said. “We are still a safe jurisdiction. In some jurisdictions it’s not safe to go out and explore, so they find themselves staying in the all-inclusive resort.

“If you have quality attractions, they will leave the property.”

He also stressed that marketing would promote Bermuda, rather than casinos, as the destination and that all hotels would benefit from the boost provided by gaming, even if the hotel didn’t have their own casino.

“Once that hotel is full, people are going to have to stay some where else,” Mr Crockwell said. “Hotels seem to be doing well when Fairmont is full because of the overspill. If you have something that would encourage people to the Island, they will stay in other hotels.”

Former Opposition Leader Kim Swan also addressed the audience during the meeting, urging those concerned about the scrapping of the gaming referendum to sign a petition.