‘Churches play Bingo so why restrict gambling?' – Edmund G. Maduro
Mr Maduro was speaking on his EGM show last evening Thursday February 26, 2015 on ZROD 103.7 FM which started at 8:00 PM.
He suggested too that betting should be allowed at horse races with a view to increasing the turnout and hence the income generated from the activity.
“Despite about what they say about the Christians say this and the Christians say that, I don’t see any part of the Bible that speaks out [against] this. I have known Bingo to be played in the churches and that’s a money game,” he said.
“I am also of the strong opinion that it is time for the BVI to own its own lottery ticket system. We need to do that because that in itself again would stop a lot of money from going out to Puerto Rico and to St Thomas. And that money could be used for many, many good reasons, even to help complete the hospital and make medical care more available,” he said.
“I believe it is time we stop the nonsense in saying that a cruise ship cannot stay in the waters because they might have a casino on board. A cruise ship is a piece of foreign land. When Immigration and Customs allow them to come in here it is still foreign land, but they are permitted to stay here. We don’t have to allow our people to go on the cruise ship to gamble. But if [the cruise passengers] gambling on the ship in the waters what sin is it?” he asked.
“What does it do against us? It is nothing but downright stupid illiteracy and ignorance. It is about time we allow the ships to stay here because when you do some of the [guests] might be able to stay overnight and when that happens our boys with the restaurants and bars would be able to make an extra dollar to feed their children and enjoy a better life,” he said.
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18 Responses to “‘Churches play Bingo so why restrict gambling?' – Edmund G. Maduro”
Edmund Maduro has my overwhelming support on this one. For quite some time, I have been baffled over our lack of vision/action in dealing with the gambling and lottery situation in the Virgin Islands. We have chosen not to engage in the act of gambling/lottery while our next door neighbors of Puerto Rico and St. Thomas..and now the Dominican Republic (by way its National and Pala Lotteries) are taking full advantage of the situation.
While gambling (of any sort) is illegal here in the Virgins, Uk, we no doubt, turn a Blind Eye to the practice.
The Puerto Rico Lottery actually had its beginning as far back as 1934 and is operated by the Government, by way of the Department of the Treasury. The US Virgins Lottery had its beginning only a few years later, in 1937. Among the many benefits it provides are: (1) Contributions to Government's Treasury - (2) The Education Initiative Program (schools etc) and (3) Pharmaceutical Assistance Program....(helps with the purchasing of medication for senior citizens).
Other Caribbean islands engaged in Lotterys/Games? Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Martin.
Since its beginning in 1985, the California Lottery (crated especially as a funding source for Education), has contributed something like $28-Billion to education, with $5-Billion raised in 2013 alone.
The simple fact is that gambling (of one sort or another), has been around for many, many years and will continue to be so; the reasons being mostly due to monetary shortfalls by governments, Unlivable Minimum Wages and the unusually High Cost of Living and an increasing Tax burden.
So what are we going to do BVI?....Continue to slumber?
If we are talking about what is sinful, Jesus Christ himself referring to the question of Sin, said: "He who is without sin, let him/her cast the first stone".
It would be interesting to at least have an idea of how much money from Lottery Ticket sales go to Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. The Dominican Republic is also becoming an equal player in the field. Why?..because it is Profitable....and hopefully Sinless..Ouch..!.
Hope they all ROT in hell.
Politician playing Pastor and Pastor playing politician.
Damn hypocrites!!!
REPENTANCE RECEEDS BLESSINGS....IF THERE MUST BE CHANGE ...WE MUST FIRST REPENT...THERE IS NO OTHER WAY.