Vexed Bermoothes

Government has finally confirmed what everyone expected:  that they are considering the legalisation of gambling and also the introduction of a national lottery in Bermuda.  According to Dr. Brown:

“We have listened to the developers who are investing heavily into Bermuda by building new hotels and likewise to those existing hoteliers who are attempting to refresh and renew their hotel product. There is broad support for some form of gaming in Bermuda from their perspective but that is not enough to cause the Government to implement it.”

The move is visibly supported by Fairmont, Tuckers Point, unnamed possible developers, and wildman Tony Brannon.  It is opposed by a wide spectrum of churches and others who oppose gambling on moral or practical grounds, and many who believe it is simply not a silver bullet to improve Bermuda’s tourism prospects.

The question is why the PLP Government needs a hired consultant;  they’ve been gambling with our futures for a long time.  Har har.

Note that Government’s consultant appears to be more engaged in advising developers HOW to implement casinos than in helping communities to weigh IF they are desired or advisable.  Where I come from, you don’t hire a plastic surgeon until you’ve already decided you want a nose job.

I personally believe that the introduction of gambling will do little for Bermuda, either from a tourism or cultural perspective.  It also may actually harm us, for no matter how much “pop & sizzle” we seek to introduce, our most loyal customers are those who come here for peace and tranquility.

I also agree with the Caribbean Nobel Laureate, Derek Walcott, who recently warned island governments that foreign developers must contribute to local culture – such as theatres, museums, and activities – as these are important to the sense of “place” that tourists really desire.  Dropping in foreign culture onto your community actually devalues you – simply because it’s available everywhere else!