The Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission is to get sweeping new powers over betting shops with a change in legislation expected in the year ahead, the senior magistrate revealed yesterday [WEDNESDAY].

Juan Wolffe, chairman of the Betting Licence Authority, told a licensing hearing that the new legislation for betting shops would give inspectors from the BCGC authority to “enter the premises and have to power to demand the names and addresses of persons on the premises”.

The commission will be able to seize equipment and records as part of an investigation of betting shops.

Mr Wolffe said the 1975 legislation overseeing betting was expected to be repealed during the 2021-22 licensing period, transferring oversight from the authority to the commission.

Once the Gaming (Transfer of Functions) Bill 2020 comes into force, the commission is to be renamed the Bermuda Gaming Commission, with control over all gaming activities on the island.

The move will also mean an increase in licensing fees for 2022-23.

The details came as the authority renewed licenses for Paradise Games, Sea Horses and Triple Crown Racing in Hamilton, as well as GameTime in Somerset and St George’s.