Sufficient measures in place to regulate casino gaming
- GINA
Guyana Chronicle
January 16, 2007

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THE government has given the assurance that sufficient measures have been instituted to address social challenges associated with the advent of casino gaming in Guyana.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) said the guarantee was issued in light of concerns expressed, by social and economic partners, relative to the projected increase in some forms of illicit acts which accompany the activity.

GINA said some of those were identified as gambling addiction, prostitution and increased money laundering but pointed out that the Gambling Prevention and Amendment Bill 2006 addresses several key areas which are aimed at monitoring and addressing gambling activity.

The agency said one of the measures put in place is the restriction of casino licences which will be determined by the Ministry of Home Affairs through a consultative process.

According to GINA, regulations are being drafted for the establishment of a Gaming Authority which will regulate activities in the industry and restrictions are to be placed to confine participation in casino gaming to foreigners and overseas-based Guyanese.

To this end, penalties, including monetary fines and prison terms, have been stipulated to ensure enforcement, the agency reported.

GINA said patrons would be required to produce passports/visas, at casino halls, as evidence of overseas residence.

It pointed out that controlled forms of gambling currently exist in this country and no empirical evidence was presented to suggest that casino gaming will be any different.

The agency said Guyana also benefits from a wealth of experience gained by more than 100 countries which have addressed challenges relative to casino gaming activities.

Extensive consultations have been conducted relative to the amendment of the legislation facilitating the activity and the government is confident that, with effective monitoring of the sector, the incidence of misconduct will be reduced, GINA stated.

Casino gaming, it said, has been identified as an additional component in the development of the tourism sector, which has been outlined, by President Bharrat Jagdeo, as one of the approaches for economic diversification.