Casino gambling…Enactment of Bill will arouse God's wrath
— religious leaders

Kaieteur News
January 18, 2007

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Some members of the religious community are convinced that the possibility of suffering from the wrath of God is currently looming over Guyana .

They add that this will become inevitable if the government does not refrain from enacting laws to permit casino gambling.

Head of the Guyana Islamic Relief Organisation, Mr Shazaad Khan, along with Christian and other Muslim leaders, stated his intent to persuade Government to withdraw the Gambling Prevention Amendment Bill. The leaders are also urging all parliamentarians to vote against its passage.

The Gambling Prevention Amendment Bill, which is intended to allow the gaming activity in a limited form, was tabled in Parliament last Thursday as some religious-minded citizens picketed outside.

According to Khan, the attitude of parliamentarians towards religious leaders on the issue of casino gambling leaves much to be desired.

Khan said that during the tabling of the Bill some parliamentarians even questioned the input of religious leaders in the passing of the Bill, which he notes depicts a lack of true concern for local citizenry.

Khan posits that it is the responsibility of the religious leaders to take a stand on the issue since they are the ones who are often slapped with the task of assisting the families of the men who squander their money on gambling.

He added that it is a proven fact that the gaming activity has the potential of allowing “bad money” to get into the system. As such, he believes that citizens should question the wrong decision of the administration which was empowered by them.

“They are not doing what they should and we as leaders are fearful that the wrath of God will be sent down upon us. We are not beyond such destruction; God can destroy if we remain silent.”

Executive Member of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), Mr Shahabadin McDoom is of the belief that Guyana is heading down a “slippery slope” since the government seems bent on implementing the highest form of gambling under the guise of “economic benefits.”

“The fact that Government has made a decision to limit casino gambling to three hotels suggests that they know it is bad. It's a little bad they say but we don't believe in little bad,” fumed McDoom.

He noted that because many countries have realised the negative implications of casino gambling, they have restricted it to prevent people from having ready access to what he called “the sin.”

According to the religious leader, the wellbeing of society is under threat and it is the responsibility of the religious leaders to highlight it.

Head of the Guyana Islamic Trust, Mr Wazir Baksh added that the government's decision is merely rooted in the economic benefits since they have not endeavoured to look at the situation in a comprehensible way.

The religious leaders stated that the government has shown no evidence to support its arguments regarding economic benefits and the advancement of tourism.

They also noted that no strategies have been put forward by Government to respond to the negative social consequences which they have accepted will result.