Travel Mole – Law-makers in Bermuda are expected to permit casino gambling for the first time according to the island’s minister of tourism and transport, Shawn Crockwell. In proposals under discussion, casinos will be allowed to operate as an integrated facility within a hotel or resort rather than a stand-alone venue.

In October 2013, the island’s parliament relaxed laws which had previously banned cruise ships from operating their shipboard casinos when in port. The decision on whether to legalize gambling was originally to be put to a referendum, however this was abandoned and will now go through due process in parliament.

Before this, a series of public consultation meetings and education programs will take place, starting on January 27. Topics up for discussion include presentations on the integrated casino-resort concept favored by the government, job creation and tourism investment, and the social impact of legalized gambling.

The minister said that a recent poll found around 70% of the population were in favor of casino gaming. Tourism accounts for around 28% of Bermuda’s GDP, of which 84% comes from the North American market.

SOURCE