NASSAU, Bahamas — Minister of State for Legal Affairs Elsworth Johnson said yesterday the government’s decision to increase taxes on gaming house operators offsets the social costs associated with gambling addiction, the Nassau Guardian reported on June 12.
During the budget debate in the House of Assembly, Johnson also maintained the government’s principle argument that the pending sliding scale of taxes is in line with international standards.
“[Web shop owners] have built an industry,” Johnson said. “We’ve decided to legalize it and in some respects they should be commended. But, Mr. Speaker, I think that as in all things, we have to tax the industry in a way that would bring equity to some of the social downfalls of that industry. And, how do we pay for it?”
During the budget debate, ministers have tried to make a case for the tax increase on the sector, despite the possible loss of 2,000 jobs, as foreshadowed by gaming house operators. https://thenassauguardian.com/2018/06/12/new-taxes-to-address-social-cost-of-gaming/
