Bmda: Sometimes government should take an extended vacation

Government is being forced to amend a bill aimed at banning gaming machines which could also have outlawed virtually every computer and palm pilot on the Island.

The Prohibition of Gaming Machines Act 2004 is due to be debated in the House of Assembly tomorrow but currently stands to ban "any computer or an electronic device that may be used wholly or partly for the purpose of playing a game of chance".

Those flouting the ban faced possible fines of up to $250,000 and jail terms of up to five years.

Legislative Affairs Minister Michael Scott said Customs officials and the Director of Public Prosecutions had spotted the loopholes and advised changes.

He said: "The tabled item of legislation in its current form is wider than it should have been.
"Amendments will be made on Friday to bring it into the framework of the objective to avoid creating mischief we don't want to create."

Asked if it shouldn't have been more carefully drafted originally, Mr. Scott said: "It was extremely carefully drafted but it was drafted in the context of meeting a deadline."
He said gaps cropped up "sometimes even when doing your best in meaning to cover this kind of legislative mischief".