Dear Editor,
I would like to talk about how “boledo” is handled. My concern is the revenue generated and where it goes, since there are no checks and balances.
Boledo numbers are sold predominantly by the Asians (Chinese) and the numbers are written on a white piece of paper, and the profit is pocketed. In the past boledo books were distributed by the Government of Belize and they had control. Where is the control? What revenue is the Government of Belize obtaining? This needs to be regulated.
The Chinese sell the numbers; they make all the money, and perhaps pay no or very little taxes. This is unheard of in other countries. And imagine, the GOB draws the daily numbers, and the policemen are the security for the businesses selling the illegal numbers. This crime is committed in their presence and they are paid to oversee an illegal operation.
Small Belizean businesses are suffering and cannot afford to pay their taxes and consequently they are penalized by the system. In some cases they are humiliated and put in jail. Where is the justice?
Using a conservative number — for example, if approximately 500 Chinese sell $1,000 per day, at the end of the week (6 days), collectively they make $3,000,000. With estimated payout in winnings of $1,500,000 or 50% at the end of the week, they pocket $1,500,000 tax-free.
Compound this amount over 52 weeks. You will find the numbers very appalling. In return, they give back or support nothing for Belizeans.
The country is hurting with the recession; the people are hurting, and yet they allow the dollars to slip away. Lottery is big business, as people like to gamble. They need to audit this business, put some controls in place, and those who commit the crime by selling the illegal numbers should be put in jail and then deported.
The profit from this operation is astronomical, which can be used towards scholarship funds for the universities, etc.
More questions: Does a seller have to have a licensing permit to sell boledo? When was the last license issued, and what is the cost? Is there a bond that is required to obtain the license?
Our slogan has always been “Belizeans First.” However, this clearly shows different. Foreigners first, Belizeans next.
Reginald Jex.