09th January 2010
Casino Controversy Back
Micah George

It is back!
Twenty-two years after the idea was first mooted in Saint Lucia resulting in a war of words between church leaders and the Government over issues dealing with morality and the economic survival of the people, the controversy regarding the introduction of casino gambling in Saint Lucia between the two groups is now back and by all intents and purposes it is shaping up to be yet another stormy encounter.
Prime Minister Stephenson King’s address to the country during the festive season in which he announced the opening of a casino in the soon to be opened Bay Walk Mall has sparked yet another response from the churches, this time it’s from a group of Pentecostal churches calling themselves The Fellowship of Gospel Preaching Churches.
And this time the churches, the leaders of which met Wednesday this week, are not yet talking though people expect them to say something because of the large scale gambling that is associated with casinos. The church leaders say they are preparing an argument that would take into consideration as many factors associated with casino gambling as possible in order to prove their position that as a God fearing country casino gambling should not be considered and that the churches do not advocate gambling.
The Voice understands that leaders will soon be receiving, if they have not already done so, a package from overseas with information which they plan to use to present a solid argument against casino gambling in light of the Government’s determination this time around to realize casino gambling on the island.
“In all of this, one thing that was quite clear to all Saint Lucians during this last year, was that we had to make every effort to ensure that the gains of independence over the last thirty years were not eroded by such exogenous shocks.
“Our efforts will be further bolstered this year, as we conclude negotiations for the construction of a new airport terminal at the Hewanorra International Air Port, with new investments in the water sector, the recommencement of three major hotel projects and the opening of the Bay Walk Mall, comprising 70 stores, 30 apartment units along with the country’s first casino,” King said.
The Fellowship of Gospel Preaching Churches met at the Nazarene church at Water Works Road in Castries to discuss the issue, deciding then to prepare a proper yet solid response to the Government regarding what could very well be the realization of casino gambling in Saint Lucia.
It was in 1987 during his budget address that former Prime Minister John Compton, now deceased, publicly indicated the Government’s intentions to consider casino gambling.
Almost instantly the issue became controversial with the churches condemning the planned move. Back then it was a group of churches calling themselves the Christian Council and comprising mainly the Catholic Church, the Methodist Church, the Anglican Church and the Salvation Army.