From the Royal Gazette on Friday, February 19, 2010:
BERMUDA -- A Nova Scotian gambling consultant was on the Island this week to meet with politicians, but Progressive Labour Party gambling opponents seem unlikely to change their mind.
Government will table a Green Paper on 'Gaming For Bermuda' in this session of the House of Assembly and a gaming task force report is currently before Cabinet.
On Wednesday Margaret McGee, vice president of prevention programming and public affairs for the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation (NSGC), met with Progressive Labour Party MPs to discuss the Canadian province's experience with gaming. She met with United Bermuda Party MPs yesterday.
Those who attended said it was an in-depth look at how gambling evolved in the East Coast province, the revenue it generated and the social ills that stem from casinos.
Last year MPs on both sides of the house voted against a bill that would have allowed cruise ships operate their casinos in Bermuda's waters.
One who voted against it, former Premier Alex Scott, said he did not believe anything would change people's minds.
"It won't change the price of rice," said Mr. Scott ahead of the meeting. "How many ways can we see the issue come up and fail? It has failed the Parliamentary test.
"I know while I was in office we put it to the party. The tourists have said that it would not be an attraction for them; it would make Bermuda just another destination."
Another PLP MP, who declined to be named, said after the meeting it was doubtful the presentation would cause a big shift in the party's views.
"I think for those who are in favour of gambling they would look at her comments favourably and those who are against will look at them suspiciously," the MP said.
"I don't see anybody changing their minds."
PLP member Tia Cannonier Hartmann said she did not believe the presentation would change anything.
"Anyone whose vote has changed from the last time will have changed their mind well before the presentation is given and probably for totally different reasons," she said.
However, last week in the House of Assembly Wayne Perinchief, who also voted against the bill last year, hinted at a change of heart. He said studies show that when gaming is introduced to a jurisdiction, around two percent of the population suffers as a result, adding "if we are going to lose two out of one hundred that can be remediated".
Opposition Senator Michael Dunkley, speaking after yesterday's UBP meeting said he appreciated the Premier setting up the presentation. They attended it to get a better understanding of the pros and cons of gambling.
"At our meeting we didn't go into who was for or against gambling," he said. "We listened to what she had to say. The presentation was thorough and it was not full of spin.
"I found it healthy to listen to the views and it will help us in the future. There are a lot of preconceived notions about gambling but there is a lot of information out there that people need to know."
Nova Scotia, where Ms McGee works, has two casinos, 2,234 video lottery terminals and 655 slot machines. Nearly 700 people are directly employed by gambling institutions and nearly $200 million in Government revenues were generated in 2007-2008.
It is also one of only two organisations in the world to meet the World Lottery Association's highest level of responsible gaming standards.
