Casino holds official opening

It may not have produced any flames, but the action was hot and heavy at Saturday night’s official opening of the Princess Casino. Since the “soft opening” two weeks earlier the rows of shiny slot machines have been supplemented by a number of blackjack tables and roulette wheels. Despite warnings from cabinet that only U.S. money would be allowed in the casino and that only “economically viable” Belizeans would be granted membership, the cashier was happily accepting Belize dollars and there were plenty of just plain folks having fun with the one armed bandits. In fact, the only Belizeans in short supply on Saturday night were members of the National Assembly. Having happily voted to allow casino gambling in the first place, our intrepid legislators were missing in action when it came time to cut the ribbon at the high profile bash. In the end the honors were graciously handled by City Councillor Austin Waight and a good time was had by all.