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home : news : news September 02, 2010


3/10/2010 11:18:00 AM
Gambling special
Mixed response on casinos from hoteliers
* Photo by Fairmont. The Fairmont brand already operates two casinos, including the Fairmont Monte Carlo's Sun Casino pictured here.
* Photo by Fairmont. The Fairmont brand already operates two casinos, including the Fairmont Monte Carlo's Sun Casino pictured here.
Don Burgess
Deputy Editor

"Place your bets!"

Bermuda's large hotel owners could be hearing those words thousands of times a day if gambling is legalized.

More than 1,200 jobs and $42m in additional revenue could be created, the Green Paper on Gaming predicts.

But one of our large hotels - Elbow Beach - told us they would not opt for a casino if they were given the option.

The Green Paper says gambling would be a boon to hotel employment, creating 638 jobs and a further 600 jobs in related industries.

The Green Paper said it would increase room demand by 29 per cent and would see tourists spend roughly $42m on gaming here.

The report defined large hotels as those with more than 100 units, that is: Elbow Beach, Fairmont Southampton, Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Grotto Bay, Tucker's Point Club and the Belmont Hills Newstead.

The proposed development by Carl Bazarian at the former Club Med property would also be eligible to host a casino as well.

Norman Mastalir, managing director for Fairmont Hotels Bermuda, said he would be very interested in getting a casino up and running at the Fairmont Southampton, if that became an option. He gave no indication as to whether he would like to see a casino at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel.

The Fairmont brand already operates two casinos - one in Quebec at the Fairmont Le Manoir Richlieu and the other is the Fairmont Monte Carlo.

Mr. Mastalir, who also sat on the Task Force on Gaming, said: "Research tells us that more than 30 per cent of Americans consider gaming when choosing their vacation destination.

"As an hotelier, I know that gaming is also an important element that travel planners look for when scheduling business incentive trips. Gaming is not a silver bullet, but its revenue can fund upgrades to Bermuda's hotels, make new hotels possible and provide jobs for Bermudians.

"From Fairmont's perspective, gaming is a great addition to the tourism product, and we hope that gaming could be located at The Fairmont Southampton should it become legal on the island."

Frank Stocek, general manager for the Elbow Beach Resort, which is owned by the Manadrin Oriental Group, said: "Mandarin Oriental does not have any hotels with a casino in them, nor do we operate any casinos.

"Elbow Beach has no plans for any casino on the horizon and is confident that Bermudians will wisely weigh the pros and cons of gaming and make the right choice for the island's future as the Green Paper is reviewed."

John Harvey, CEO of the Bermuda Hotels Association, said his group would be meeting next week to discuss it and it would be premature to make any comment until then.

Gambling special:

'We need a city casino'

Corporation smells a rat

Opposition to gambling 'a myth'

Mixed response on casinos from hoteliers

Lottery deemed a bad idea for Bermuda

Therapists needed to help gambling addicts

Report lists benefits of a casino for BDA

So who would run a casino here?

Report 'was not slanted one way or the other'

Green Paper on Gaming for Bermuda



Related Stories:
• Therapists needed to help gambling addicts
• Lottery deemed a bad idea for Bermuda
• Report 'was not slanted one way or the other'
• Report lists benefits of a casino for BDA
• So who would run a casino here?
• Corporation smells a rat
• Green Paper on Gaming presented to House
• Opposition to gambling 'a myth'
• 'Today's tourists expect and demand casinos'
• 'Don't put casino profits in the hands of the few'
• 'We need a city casino'
• Lust for money drives the gambling debate: Society would pay the price
• Casinos not a cure-all but would create revenue, says Brown
• Gambling won't fix tourism's biggest problems
• BDA supports gambling, but with reservations
• Bahamian minister on how gambling could help us
• Dodwell supports Monte Carlo style casino





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