PROTECT
ELEUTHERA

Name: protect eleuthera
Address: BS

Community Information About a Proposed Large-Scale Development Near Governor’s Harbour

Eleuthera is known for its peaceful character, small population, natural beauty, and low crime.

Recent land acquisitions near Governor’s Harbour have raised concerns among residents about a proposed large-scale development including casino that could fundamentally change the island’s environment, infrastructure, and way of life.

Sign The Petition

WE The People

Eleuthera is a rare place — quiet, safe, environmentally fragile, and deeply connected to community life.

Recent land acquisitions by Reno, Nevada casino owner near Governor’s Harbour have raised significant questions among residents about talks of a proposed large-scale development that may include:

Hundreds of residential homes
A casino resort
A marina
A golf course
A re routing proposal of Queen's highway intersecting the historical 'Old Banks Road'

Many residents say detailed plans have not yet been publicly presented to the broader community.

As of now:

Detailed public plans have not been widely shared.
Environmental impact assessments have not been broadly circulated.
Many residents learned of the project informally.

Residents are requesting open public consultation before decisions move forward.

d5c8d9d75cc44bb26d57054e76d4bac48d4de84beb783061f7ed7333d52038f4.jpg

Why Residents Are Concerned

Governor’s Harbour and surrounding settlements are small communities supported by limited infrastructure and a delicate natural ecosystem.

Residents have expressed concerns about potential impacts including:

Environmental and eco system damage from proposed large scale 300 home development, casino, golf course and marina that could impact storm surges and wildlife strain due to potential unregulated native tree removal, land leveling and large scale bull dosing activity.

Pressure on housing availability for workforce. Currently local housing is extremely limited, expensive and practically non existent.

Workforce and infrastructure strain. Not enough workers on island which would lend to bringing in foreign jobs.

Changes to the island’s safety and character from outsourced work force and casino presence sited by significant research. Please read all sources here.

Lack of publicly shared development plans.

Community members are not opposing progress — they are asking for responsible, sustainable and transparent development that respects Eleuthera’s scale and identity.

Small population and close community ties

Extremely low crime compared to large resort destinations

Internationally valued natural coastline

Fragile freshwater resources, rugged coastlines, quiet beaches that tourists come back time and time again because of the natural, undeveloped beauty which is so rare in the world today.

A peaceful, family-oriented environment

Many residents believe these qualities are the island’s greatest asset.

Community & Infrastructure Reality

A Small Island With Limited Capacity

Governor’s Harbour and surrounding communities face existing constraints:

limited workforce housing
small population base
limited medical infrastructure
water and power limitations

Large resort developments can create rapid population pressure before infrastructure expands.

Residents are asking:

Where will workers live?
How will utilities scale?
What protections exist for local housing affordability?

What Makes Eleuthera Unique

What the local community is saying...including the tourists....

Casino Impacts (Evidence-Based)

What Research Shows About Casino Development

Studies from multiple regions indicate casinos can be associated with increases in:

Character and community decline
Demand for policing resources
Substance abuse services and escort requests
Increase in crime rates

While outcomes vary by location, small communities often experience disproportionate impacts compared to large urban centers.

Eleuthera’s identity as a quiet, low-crime island raises questions about whether this model aligns with community priorities.

Community Members Are Asking For:

Public disclosure of development plans and assessment of size, type and impact
Environmental impact assessments
Open town hall meetings
Government review transparency
Community consultation before approvals

Responsible development includes informed participation by residents whose lives will be affected.

Transparency & Public Dialogue

Large Scale Development & COMMUNITY SAFETY

Envirmental SUSTAINABILITY

Proposed large scale development threatens the accessibility and sustainability of Eleuthera's infustructure including water, power and waste management, its roadways and historical roads like Old Banks Road. It also threatens delicate native plant and animal species, puts strain on the local housing availability and potentially limits access to food and necessities due to limited grocery options for the local population.

CRIME & PROTECTION

Rising crime concerns linked to rapid, unregulated expansion that does not align with the identity and ethos of the Island threaten the fundamental peace and security that our community has built over generations on Eleuthera.

THE ROOTS OF OUR COMMUNITY

For generations, the people of Eleuthera have lived in harmony with the sea and soil. Our community is built on a foundation of mutual respect, environmental stewardship, and a shared commitment to protecting the wild beauty of our island. We believe that development must never come at the cost of our heritage or the thriving ecosystems that sustain us and our way of life.

IMPACTS OF CASINOS ON SMALL COMMUNITIES

Crime & Public Safety Impacts

Key Finding:
Multiple studies show casinos can correlate with increased crime rates — particularly in smaller or previously low-crime communities.

Source— National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Study: Casinos, Crime, and Community Costs
Researchers: Earl Grinols & David Mustard

Findings:

-Counties with casinos experienced significant increases in crime after opening.

-Crime rates rose approximately 8–10% after several years.

-Impacts were stronger in smaller communities.

📎 Source:
https://www.nber.org/papers/w9198

“Casino counties experienced higher crime rates compared to non-casino counties.”

Source — Journal of Law & Economics

Study: Casinos and Crime

Findings:

-Growth in theft, fraud, and property crime associated with casino introduction.

-Social costs increased alongside gambling activity.

📎 https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/323729

Problem Gambling & Social Harm

Key Finding

Casino proximity increases gambling addiction rates.

Source — National Council on Problem Gambling (U.S.)

Findings:

-Communities near casinos show higher rates of gambling disorder.

-Increased demand for addiction services and social support.

📎 https://www.ncpgambling.org

Research indicates proximity to casinos is associated with increased rates of problem gambling.

Source — The Lancet Public Health Review

Study: Gambling and Public Health

Findings:

-Gambling harms extend beyond individuals to families and communities.

-Financial instability and mental health impacts increase.

📎 https://www.thelancet.com

Housing & Cost of Living Pressures

Key Finding

Large resort/casino developments can strain housing in small populations.

Source — UNLV Center for Gaming Research

Findings:

-Rapid workforce influx often precedes housing expansion.

-Local housing costs may rise due to demand shifts.

📎 https://gaming.library.unlv.edu

Caribbean Source-

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

Tourism Development in Small Island States

Findings:

-Large tourism developments can overwhelm infrastructure if growth outpaces planning.

📎 https://www.iadb.org

Environmental Impacts (Marinas & Coastal Development)

Source — NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Dredging Impacts

Findings:

-Increased sediment harms coral reefs.

-Alters shoreline stability.

-Damages marine habitats.

📎 https://oceanservice.noaa.gov

"Dredging activities associated with marina construction can increase sedimentation and negatively impact coral ecosystems."

Source — UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)

Coastal Tourism Development

Findings:

-Small island ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to large coastal and unregulated environmental projects.

📎 https://www.unep.org

Policing & Infrastructure Costs

Source — American Gaming Association (Policy Reviews)

Even industry analyses acknowledge:

-Increased demand for policing

-Infrastructure expansion requirements

-Public service strain

📎 https://www.americangaming.org

Studies note that host communities often experience increased demand for public services following casino openings.

Economic Displacement of Local Businesses

Source — Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Casino Gambling & Local Economies

Findings:

-Casinos may shift spending away from existing local businesses rather than creating entirely new economic activity.

📎 https://www.minneapolisfed.org

Small Island Context

Source — World Bank

Tourism in Small Island Developing States

Findings:

-Large-scale tourism projects can produce disproportionate social and environmental impacts in small populations.

📎 https://www.worldbank.org

Small island communities often experience amplified impacts due to limited infrastructure capacity and ecological sensitivity.