Prime Minister: “It’s a Gimmick… Trying to Grab Headlines”

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – The Free National Movement’s proposal for a national lottery is drawing a sharp pushback from Prime Minister Philip Davis, who’a calling the idea a “gimmick”.

He warned that it could do more harm than good.

Philip Davis – Prime Minister

“I’m investing in Bahamians, and that’s where our focus should be. Just to talk about a national lottery says to me it’s a gimmick, trying to grab headlines. It just speaks of desperation and it’s really not thought out.”

That’s Prime Minister Philip Davis dismissed the idea of a national lottery, calling it a distraction rather than a solution.

He responded to Free National Movement’s leader, Michael Pintard, who told supporters that if elected, his party would implement a national lottery aimed at funding education, sports, youth development, and culture.

Davis said that his administration is focused on direct investment in Bahamians, not what he describes as political headline-grabbing.

Philip Davis – Prime Minister

“The amount of Bahamians that are now in the gaming industry… how their lives will be impacted… how it impacts revenues for the country, in regards to the fact that we collect a tremendous amount of taxes from the gaming industry. And it’s rather odd that you want to turn the Treasury into a gaming house.”

The PLP has also dismissed the FNM’s proposed national lottery as a “gimmick, not a plan”, accusing the opposition of chasing headlines instead of offering real economic solutions.

In a statement, the PLP said it is focused on changing the economy through energy reform, infrastructure, skills training, and opportunity for Bahamians.

Several countries across the region including the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Barbados, and others are already operating national lotteries.

Davis argued that model doesn’t come without problems.

Philip Davis – Prime Minister

“The national lottery of the Dominican Republic is proven to be such a failure, with corruption and fraud and the like. If that’s the model he’s going to use, one has to question why he wants to have a national lottery. Is it for the purpose of a slush fund for corruptors and fraudsters?”