When The “Number” Houses are raided - NOBODY WINS!

As the Police begins its offensive frisson of enforcement of the law on many of the “Number Houses” throughout the Bahamas, our lawmakers continue their bumptious diatribe, plagued with pointless political innuendo whilst providing no action plan of a corrective nature for many of the fundamental issues and laws that need urgent attention that will enable them to render proper decisions aligned with a modern society. 

It is now imperative that a member of the so called honorable House of Assembly, move to address this issue that appears to have left our lawmakers in a serious imbroglio and a quandary – that of  addressing “Numbers” playing.  “Numbers”, whether the “Three (3) ball” or “Four (4) ball” like it or not has become intricately woven in the fabric of Bahamian society. While many Bahamians have their salient points for or against daily “Number” gambling operations, we should take note and face the reality that a vast majority of the Bahamas play the “Numbers” daily in New Providence and the family of islands. It appears that our law makers are afraid to address this issue even though many participate daily in what has become the “hopeful daily stimulus package” for many strapped Bahamians and foreigners alike looking for a financial breakthrough.  One can only conclude that “Numbers” like politics in our country, is normally addressed depending on who it affects, when it affects, and what impact the affect will have on who it affects – to target those who for expediency and public relations sake unwittingly end up on the radar screen of those who need to appear as if they are doing something.  As the raids continue in months and years to come, the Haitian and Chinese brothers who are also in this business will now have an opportunity to upgrade and continue building their daily “Number” gambling empires and “30 day” fortunes.

 The Bahamas needs to face the fact that as a part of our social renaissance – the lottery is a reality. The government needs to muster up the fortitude and have a referendum to obtain the consensus of the Bahamian people as to where they stand on “Numbers”.  The government would with the concurrence of the Bahamian people at least have legal means to obtain additional revenues through taxation on such gambling’s. These funds can be used to fix the schools and increase teachers, nurses, and police salaries, upgrade the nations historical landmarks and infrastructure, proper support for our national sporting and cultural programs with timely funding for national events, develop and enhance the Defense and Police Force with new modern crime fighting supplies and equipment along with many more nation building priorities that can be funded in a timely manner. 

I do believe that everybody has a contribution and a voice in free democratic country. The government of the Bahamas should allow the voices of the many to be heard on this emotive topic of “Numbers”. Further, it is my conviction that there must be a level of common sense that can, and must be exercised when introducing new laws, amending old ones and enforcing existing ones. The Bahamas whether we like it or not has changed in many ways.  This country has progressed for the better, and in the memories of many and current contemplations of others we have changed for the worst.  

Our government should now move away from this pusillanimous approach and take proactive steps to either legalize daily “Numbers” gambling and stop playing the hypocritical game of the self righteous, or address the issue through the democratic process and listen to the voice of the majority of the people.  The politicians who are afraid of addressing this issue, should resign immediately because there will be other more serious issues of national importance that will require hard political decisions. Some religious leaders in certain denominations and individuals alike that strongly appose such gambling publicly, undoubtedly will be angry through the week, but happy on Sunday in the tally room when the counting of collection and donations from the congregation is complete, but this is a democracy!

Face reality Bahamas, its has been here, it will be here long after those who oppose it today are gone, so at least fix it, tax it and build something constructive from it.

Anthony Bostwick

Comments

[harrold rolle]

I completely agree. The Americans have a saying that we should not or cannot legislate morality and we would do well to heed this truism. Legalize/decriminalize the numbers houses and tax the revenues from them. One can only imagine the positive benefits that would accrue to the Bahamas society from the added revenue streams.

[Andrea Jackson-Coakley]

Well done Anthony. I totally agree.

[d.hepburn]

He who hath ears to hear, let him hear. You are on to something that augurs well for the future of the country.

[carlos]

Give every citizen of the Bahamas the ability to vote on this topic in a referendum. Many of the churches flock will support the legalizing of 'numbers'. Personally,I agree with your comments and need no priest or pastor to tell me about the wrongs of numbers as I do not play. But,those who wish to play should be free to do so without fear of prosecution!!

[Marvin]

Well B, I guess in a few years that will be the first piece of legislation that you table. ;)

[Dwight Butler]

I enjoyed reading this my friend, but I respectfully disagree with legalizing “Numbers” in The Bahamas.

You ought to appreciate that gambling, particularly in this form, often promote criminal and anti-social behaviour that is already out of control in The Bahamas to begin with.

What happened to the value of hard work and gradual progress? Too many of us are in pursuit of the fast dollar, and the minds and hearts of the Bahamian people are twisted and dark as a result.

If we legalize gambling in The Bahamas, we will be done in a minute.

We have to be careful not to get blind by the “light”.

[Rhawli Coakley]

AUB, truly you are a visionary. The hippocracy of our politicians and clergymen. Those dollars earned buy hotel employees who facilitate gambling at our many casinos are the same dollars that line the pockets of the poli-tricksters and all the false prophets running around the country calling themselves clergymen on Sundays. These same false prohpets take those gambling dollars and build great temples and lavish palaces while their flock scratch and scrape just to make it. Our politicos are afraid to take bold progressive positions out of fear the clergy will not tell the flock to support them. Lawyers.

Gambling does not promote criminal activity. It is the lack of personal integrity, your moral compass, and a complete inability of law enforcement to enforce the rule of law. Mr. Butler, you do make an important point. Criminal and anti-social behaviour is out of control because we continue to cower and hide from promoting solutions that improve and not impede us. An American can come to my shores and have more access to obtaining wealth (be it instant) than a son of the soil. Go figure! Some things never change.

[Sammy.T]

My dad always talks about the late 60's & early 70's when our Bahamain father and men of all walk went to the race tracks, and spent almost every dime on the weekend before they got home to take care of their homes, and their kids. Classmate, we all have common sense, but some people just don't know when to quit, or just maybe they don't have any to begin with. Just a tip, my grand father lost the property in a gambling game back in the 60's with the roll of the dice. The property is the same property where Bahamian Lumber used to be back in the day. Food for Thought.

[Rhawli]

Sammy T.. I feel your pain bro. That's tough, but that's life. Instead of a gambling debt, that could of easily been you grandpaps defaulting on a loan he leveraged with his property to open a shop, send you to college, pay medical bills, etc.. Those unfortunate things happen and personal responsibility and the consequences of ones actions cannot be governed or controlled by politicians. Governance provides you a country where you can pursue your dreams and aspirations "legally". If you make the wrong choice or fall short, so be it. At least the opportunity to try was made available.