MCKENZIE
THE KINGSTON and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) says it is actively pursuing a bid to start a city lottery.
Kingston's Mayor, Desmond McKenzie disclosed the plan at the Corporation's monthly press briefing last week Tuesday.
'This is something that we are looking at. We know that if it comes through there will be a sector that will probably say they are not supporting gambling; but it is not gambling in the sense of gambling, it is a different form of gaming, that will benefit the city," he said.
The city lottery proposal is still in its embryonic stage, as the application to the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) is still under the microscope.
The Mayor was adamant that the council was not looking to make a profit, saying the money would be channelled into the KSAC's key corporate functions, such as drain cleaning and road repairs.
APPLICATION
Leslie Wright, acting executive director of the BGLC confirmed receipt of the KSAC's application. The board of the BGLC is currently on recess, Mr. Wright said. As a result the council will have to wait at least six weeks for a response.
The Mayor explained that the idea to have a city lottery was borne out of the cash-strapped council's desire to fulfil its mandate, as the budgetary allocation from central government is woefully inadequate.
PROFIT
"It is not something the council expects to make a profit from. It is something that will be pumped back into improving the social and physical condition of the largest city in the English-speaking Caribbean," he added.
Wayne Stewart, director of gaming and lotteries, told The Gleaner that if the KSAC's proposal is approved it would be an unparalleled feat.
"There is no government-owned lottery in Jamaica ... all lottery companies operating here are privately-owned," he said.
