Howard Hamilton
THE WAY this Government deals with the gaming industry never fails to amaze me. Is there a policy? Or do things happen on the whims and fancy of the minister in charge. Let us look at the way Supreme Ventures has been treated.
MASSIVE DEVALUATIONS
On two different occasions a tax has been imposed only to be lifted before implementation. Jamaica Lottery Company Limited never had that privilege but then we were not backed by the mighty GTECH whose method of dealing with decision makers is well documented
I recall back in 1992, the massive devaluations had placed the Sports Development Agency (the precursor of the Jamaica Lottery Co.) in virtual bankruptcy. The imported Scratch & Win game, which had been introduced to provide a permanent funding programme for the development of our youth through sports, was no longer viable.
Slot machines were gaining popularity as additional entertainment in selected hotels. The Jamaica Tourist Board, the agency responsible for licensing this activity at that time, approved my application for a room at the Jamaica Grand hotel in Ocho Rios as I attempted to join in the development of this gaming activity in the tourist sector.
I was full of enthusiasm as I prepared the room to make it the most attractive in the developing Slot Machine Market. I formed a company called PRIME SPORTS LTD. with primary responsibility for developing income for the Sports Development Fund through the establishment of Gaming Parlours in the hotels.
'SHELL WAIVER SCANDAL'
At that time things were not going well for me - the politically contrived 'Shell Waiver Scandal' still hung like the sword of Damocles over my head. Attempts to introduce the LOTTO game were being stonewalled by the Minister of Finance at that time and there was a general mood of hopelessness and depression. Prime Sports Limited. was a glimmer of hope which, however, did not last for very long.
I was told by Minister of State responsible for Gaming, along with the then Chairman of of the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission that "I was being greedy and I should stick to my lottery business and leave slot machines to the group who had initiated there legal re-introduction'.
Based on this clear message, I took the decision to sell Prime Sports Ltd. to the Melville group In return for them helping me to restructure my Lottery operations.
The records will show that Prime Sports Ltd was sold for J$ 1.00. It was clear to me then that the Government wished to separate the two activities and my decision was based on the perception that this was indeed Government policy.
Well history has proven how wrong I was. In fact, the recent prospectus put out by the lottery operators is predicated on their expansion into the slot machine sector of the Gaming industry. They have also indicated their intention of further expansion into the horse racing sector. This I find frightening. I cannot believe that any Government would allow this type of monopoly of the Gaming Industry by one entity - absolutely amazing.
I can find no commentary by anyone - Church, Concerned citizens, Opposition party - not one voice has been raised condemning this direction that the Government is taking. Am I the only voice crying in this wilderness? Do not the developers of Harmony Cove see the negative impact on investment because of the proliferations of these "Gaming Room?" Have they not studied the impact of this policy on the industry in other countries e.g. South Africa? Or is the Gaming Industry held in such contempt that nobody really cares?
People keep asking me why do I bother in this environment where decisions are taken based on political expedience rather than what makes good business sense.
I remain guided by the fact that: "It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out where the strong man stumbled, not where the doer of deeds could have done better.
On the contrary, the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena - whose vision is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up again and again; who knows the great devotions, the great enthusiasm; who at best knows in the end the triumph of his achievement.
However, if he fails, if he falls, at least he fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
Howard L. Hamilton, C.D, J.P. is a former chairman of Caymanas Track Limited. He is the current president of Thoroughbred owners and Breeders Association. He can be contacted at howham@cwjamaica.com.
