Casino gambling --- Tourism sector must provide evening entertainment
Guyana Chronicle
January 11, 2007
PRIME Minister Samuel Hinds says rather than maintaining a status of “absolute prohibition” on casino gambling, government sees such gaming as important in offering tourists a “total package” and in creating employment.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds last evening said the government is moving ahead with tabling the legislation today and it is likely to go to the concluding stage in the National Assembly on January 19.
Mr. Hinds, speaking at a press conference at NCN, Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, said rather than rule out casino gambling altogether, the government believes that it could put in place proper monitoring and regulating mechanisms.
A casino gambling license he said would only be granted to hotels with more than 150 rooms, and visitors will be allowed to play.
Mr. Hinds said investors and developers of tourism in Guyana are interested in large packages that come with a request for a casino license. However, he refused to name those who are interested in such a license.
Mr. Hinds dismissed concerns that casino gambling can be used for money laundering, noting that such concern comes with the establishment of any business enterprise. He agreed that there were such dangers, but said rather than not introduce casino gambling at all, it would be better to implement control mechanisms.
The Prime Minister noted that in the development of Guyana’s tourism sector, consideration has to cater for the evening entertainment needs of the tourist and casino gaming is one way of filling that need.
Mr. Hinds, in commenting on the stand of the religious community that it could not support the legislation for the introduction of casino gambling based on theological and moral ground, said that there are many things which people should not do on religious grounds, but people do “many things.”
He said the government has taken a judgement that it can manage casino gambling in Guyana, and as such noted the legislation as being a “development”, one that will bring investment and create employment.