Repeated attacks from the floor of Parliament have prompted the Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission to break its silence with a sharply worded statement querying the capabilities and motives of its critics.

Commission member Alan Dunch also refuted claims by Independent MPs Shawn Crockwell and Mark Pettingill that the group neglected to consult casinos’ stakeholders over gaming fees — saying that both he and Richard Schuetz, the commission’s executive director, had met recently with a representative for the St George’s hotel development who voiced no unhappiness over the proposed charges.

“Not one operator has come to the commission offices to complain about fees,” Mr Dunch added.

“I recently met in London with a prospective operator that indicated they have absolutely no problem with the fees.”

The commission, he said, had spoken with several “accredited and well-known international gaming operators as part of our research into fees and taxes — doing so with the view to obtain a better understanding of what may or may not be acceptable in different jurisdictions, taking into account the various factors that influence those jurisdictions”.

Mr Dunch took aim at the gaming credentials of both MPs, who are law firm partners, noting that neither possesses working experience in the industry, and that the commission had been appointed by Mr Crockwell in his time as minister, “against the backdrop of praising their integrity, honesty, and hard work”.

“Mr Crockwell also suggests that he has received phone calls from a litany of people who are sitting at the table right now, individuals with designated site orders, that said that they were not consulted on the level of fees,” Mr Dunch added.

“I find this surprising given that there are only two entities with designated site orders, and we have spoken to both of them, and neither indicated any complaint about the fees.”

Saying the two had defamed the commission and its work, Mr Dunch added that the attacks appeared not to be driven by “a desire to assist the public policy goals of the island in introducing integrated resort casinos, but to benefit their own self-interest”.

It has been 18 months since the commission was put in place, and criticism since then has not only come from the Opposition — but Mr Dunch said most naysayers lacked information.

“Truth be told, the commission has spent months working closely with the Bermuda College, many of the island’s accounting companies, the faith community, the recovery community, the legal community, the charities community, and numerous other segments of Bermudian society to ensure gaming is properly introduced and integrated.

“We have sought help from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the UK Gaming Commission, the Governor’s Office, the US Consulate, the Nevada Gaming Control Board, and numerous other governmental groups. Bermuda’s Financial Intelligence Agency, National Anti-Money Laundering Committee, and the Bermuda Police Service have also collaborated with us.”

Mr Pettingill’s failing grade for the commission during remarks in Parliament on March 17 showed “an incredible amount of arrogance and ignorance” — and Mr Dunch said that, as a member of the International Association of Gaming Advisers, he had been “astounded” by the MP’s assertions in November and February that he was the island’s only member. Mr Schuetz was also said to be a member, along with tourism minister Senator Michael Fahy, and commission staff Debra Blakeney and Julie Grant.

“What strikes me as supremely ironic is that when checking the IAGA website, back in November, February and again on Monday, we cannot find Mr Pettingill’s name in the listing of members.”

Mr Crockwell’s comments last Friday in Parliament also came under fire for the claim that the commission had heard concerns over gaming fees while meeting with an operator from Australia, which he branded “unequivocally wrong”.

“Although we practise an open-door policy, few politicians have made the effort to drop by our offices and gain a better understanding of what we are doing. Certainly, Mr Pettingill has not done so and, since his departure from the Cabinet, nor has Mr Crockwell.

“While some are determined to shield their activities from the public, we want Bermuda to know we will continue to do our part to ensure transparency and that the best interest of the people of Bermuda prevails.

“The only clients we are trying to enrich are the people of Bermuda.”

•To read the full statement online on behalf of the Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission, click the PDF under “Related Media”