by BARRY ALLEYNE

THE BARBADOS CRICKET ASSOCIATION (BCA) is in a gambling limbo.

It has been forced to play a waiting game as it negotiates with Government to implement its latest lottery game.

And as every day goes by, it could be costing sporting associations who depend on donations from that lottery thousands of dollars.

The BCA imported almost 100 new, innovative Video Lottery Terminal machines more than five months ago to bring a new dimension to gambling in Barbados, but the machines remain idle because no agreement has been reached with the Ministry of Finance's Gaming and Betting Committee.

Chairman of the BCA's lottery committee Orson Simpson told the SATURDAY SUN a number of meetings had been held between the association and the Gaming and Betting Committee, and that negotiations were now at a very sensitive stage.

Not wanting to go into too much detail about the negotiations, Simpson revealed that the main issue now on the table was the classification of the machines for eventual use.

In Barbados, entities wanting to use such machines have to apply to Government to be considered as either a gaming or lottery licence holder.

"The only thing we have is a lottey licence. But the issue at hand seems to be one of definition. A clear resolution is being sought," Simpson added, also revealing their application to Government to use the machines was under their existing lottery licence.

"We want to get them in operation as soon as possible, seeing that they have been in Barbados for this period of time, but it's a work in progress right now," Simpson said.

He also revealed the new machines would be unique in Barbados, since no other gaming or lottery entities had a licence to operate Video Lottery Terminals.

According to Simpson, no legal advice was being sought by the BCA to have the matter fast-tracked. "At this stage it's still a negotiation between Government, the BCA, and the operators," he said.

The BCA has also gone into an agreement with a Barbados-based company, Caribbean Cage, who will be the operators of the machines across the island.

"We contract operators because we have the licence, but not the expertise, so this is nothing new. We give the rights to the company, and they run the operation," Simpson concluded.

The lottery committee chairman said the BCA's existing lottery game remained quite popular across Barbados, and no downturn in betting had been seen despite the high cost of living, and recent price hikes.

* barryalleyne@nationnews.com