Vaz Says Casino Bill to be Re-Tabled Next Week

Cabinet has approved the withdrawal of the Casino Gaming Bill, tabled in the House of Representatives in July this year, and a replacement which will be tabled next week for debate.
The decision to withdraw the original Bill was taken after consultations with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI) and other stakeholders, based on proposals from the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.
Making the announcement at the weekly Post Cabinet press briefing Wednesday (October 21) at Jamaica House, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, with responsibility for Information, Telecommunications and Special Projects, Hon. Daryl Vaz, said the withdrawal of the Bill was due to technical and legal issues.
He also explained that since the Bill was urgent, in terms of getting it through Parliament, it had been tabled before the July recess, but that slight amendments had become necessary. It was sent back to Cabinet for approval, after dialogue with the Attorney General’s Department and the Chief Parliamentary Counsel.
The Minister noted that the Government has been thorough in drafting the legislation, and has used various jurisdictions as guides.
“We have tried our best to include as many of the persons that we believe can help us, including external people,” he said.
He said that the Government realises the importance of the Bill and, as such, is moving as quickly as possible to get it tabled, debated and passed in Parliament. The reprinted Bill is expected to be tabled in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (October 27).