Friday, January 12, 2007

An added attraction for Cricket World Cup visitors to Guyana will be casino
gambling, that is if a bill scheduled to be tabled in Parliament tomorrow is
passed. Prime Minister Sam Hinds has confirmed the move to facilitate casino
gambling for guests during the Cricket World Cup 2007. The motion will be
moved in the National Assembly on January 11, by Minister of Home Affairs,
Clement Rohee following which debates will be held on January 18 and 19.
Prime Minister Hinds said that in light of reservations by some religious
groups government is prepared to take prudent measures to prevent the
activity from becoming widespread, according to a release from the
state-owned news agency GINA. Concerns among the religious community include
theological grounds which prohibit gambling.
The Prime Minister said while government is aware of the possible dangers
associated with casino gambling, mechanisms are being discussed to address
these.
The Bill gives the Minister the power to set up any administrative body for
the administration of the casino legislation, and also gives him the control
to prescribe fees payable for the application and issuance of any licence.
Among the issues under consideration are gambling addictions, prostitution
and increased money laundering. Prime Minister Hinds noted that while
legitimate arguments surround the prevention of the legislation, gambling
does exist in Guyana and takes a number of forms among which are
sweepstakes, lotteries and raffles. The Minister under the Act could also
prescribe conditions for, and restrictions on, the issuing of any licence.
According to the Bill, the Minister may make regulations to establish a
Gaming Authority which could regulate the issue only through specific types
of licences to allow casino gambling.