Joseph Pereira, deputy principal at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, addresses the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry quarterly luncheon, which was hosted at the Wexford hotel in Montego Bay, St James, on Wednesday. - photo BY Sheena Gayle

WESTERN BUREAU:

University of the West Indies Deputy Principal Joseph Pereira says the introduction of casino gambling can do no more harm to Jamaica than has already been caused.

"I don't think that we Jamaicans could have any more corruption of our morals, we're already corrupted," Pereira declared while addressing the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry quarterly luncheon, which was hosted at the Wexford hotel in Montego Bay, St James, on Wednesday.

'No reservations'

"I have no reservations whatsoever in proposing that we promote casino gambling as quickly as possible. It seems to me that, when you look at other places that have done this, it has been a boost for the economy, without corrupting the morals of the society."

The issue of casino gambling has fuelled heated discussions between the Church and the Government regarding the latter's move to legalise the activity in Jamaica.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced in his April 2008 Budget presentation that his administration would be formalising casino gambling. This, however, is under the condition that the investor's development is US$1 billion and over.

Regulate casino gaming

The Casino Bill, which was tabled in July, intends to establish a commission to regulate casino gaming in Jamaica and it is among the list of priority items to be debated in Parliament.

At least one major multibillion-dollar luxury resort development, Harmony Cove in Trelawny, is watching keenly the developments surrounding the casino legislation.

At a December 2008 Gleaner Editors' Forum in Trelawny, executive director of Harmonisation Limited, Dr Lorna Simmonds, said a primary cause of the delay in the Harmony Cove development was the fact that potential investors for the casino hotels would not sign on unless casino gaming becomes law.

sheena.gayle@gleanerjm.com