GRAND BAHAMIANS ENCOURAGED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HOTEL/CASINO LICENSES AVAILABLE ON THE ISLAND

Following the official opening ceremony of new offices for the Gaming Board of The Bahamas on Friday, August 19, there were ribbon-cutting and cake-cutting ceremonies. The Gaming Board is celebrating 100 Years of Gaming under the theme, “Bet on The Bahamas.” Shown from left are Kevin Stuart, Deputy Chairman, Gaming Board; Mrs. Tracy Stuart, wife of Kevin Stuart; Gregory Smith, Deputy Secretary; Ryan Brown, member of the Board; Kaylesa Simmons, Assistant Secretary/District Head; the Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama; Karen Thompson-Passard, Board Member; Dr. Daniel Johnson, Executive Chairman; Mrs. Johnson; and Ian Tynes, Secretary of the Gaming Board for the Bahamas. (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)

By ROBYN ADDERLEY

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, August 24, 2022 (BIS) – Grand Bahamians on Friday, August 19, were urged by Dr. Daniel Johnson, Executive Chairman of the Gaming Board, to take advantage of the three hotel/casino licenses that currently exist for the island.

**Dr. Danny Johnson, Executive Chairman of the Gaming Board, speaking at the opening of the Gaming Board’s new offices in Grand Bahama on Friday, August 19. (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)**

Dr. Johnson issued this challenge during the opening of the Gaming Board’s new office on Settler’s Way and the celebration of 100 Years of Gaming, held under the theme, “Bet on The Bahamas!”

“The mandate of this new board is very clear. We are in a rebrand, renew, rebuild, phase,” Dr. Johnson said. “This is now the time, go for it.”

He added: “You all have three gaming licenses for hotel and casino on Grand Bahama. We (Gaming Board) haven’t gotten a penny from those hotel and casino licenses in almost 20 years. That’s what I’m coming for.”

By the end of the year, the Executive Chairman said one license will be issued, adding that by next year he would like to issue a license to a Bahamian group in Grand Bahama. Additionally, Bahamian-owned boutique hotels throughout the Family Islands will be issued gaming licenses.

Over the past 55 years, Orlando, Nevada, and Nassau were the gaming giants of the entertainment industry. Today, Nevada welcomes 50 million visitors per year, Orlando welcomes over 40 million visitors per year and Nassau welcomes five to seven million visitors.

Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey, on Friday, August 19, congratulated the staff of the Gaming Board of The Bahamas on the opening of their new offices on Settler’s Way and celebrating 100 Years of Gaming under the theme, “Bet on The Bahamas.” (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)

Noting that The Bahamas is in a tropical paradise, Dr. Johnson said: “I come here to say today, we want this business back and we coming to get it. I’m issuing that license this year.”

Also present was Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey, who congratulated the Gaming Board on the opening of their new offices, adding and that gaming continues to make a meaningful contribution to the economy of the country under the “watchful eye of the Gaming Board.”

The Minister requested that the Gaming Board “execute the social responsibility aspect of the Board as a priority agenda item,” and urged that they become a part of Collab: Partnerships for Development, a unit formed in the Ministry for Grand Bahama.

“There’s so much that we can do together that will allow our people to live in dignity again if we join hands and work together,” Minister Moxey said.