After years of banning casinos on moral grounds the Bermuda Cabinet has approved a measure to allow visiting cruise liners to operate their onboard casinos while docked at the Caribbean island. Opponents of the move claim that the decision was made without public consultation and will open the door to further gambling. Supporters say that the government is assessing the reaction of residents and whether the next step could be taken to allow casinos in hotels.

It has been revealed that last November the Norwegian Cruise Line had committed to pay an annual fee of $150,000 to the Bermuda Film Festival and provide entertainers for Harbour Nights in Hamilton as part of a 10-year contract to operate in Bermuda. The cruise line will also produce a brochure distributed to all passengers to promote on-island dining, and donate $275,000 to the Bermuda Heritage Museum and St George’s Foundation.

Under the new cruise ship legislation bars and signature shops on the vessels docking in Bermuda will be allowed to open. The casinos must not open before 10 pm while in port. The present $14 cabin tax for Hamilton and St George is to be waived for three years. Last July the captain of the Niobe Corinthian, a ship launched the previous November to operate gambling cruises beyond Bermuda’s territorial waters, was fined $15,000 for ‘illegally importing’ gaming machines when the ship returned to port.
(E-06.11.08)

© Copyright 2008 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage