Casino Bill passed
Act as bare as old Mother Hubbard's cupboard - Murray
By Gordon French
Kaieteur News
January 23, 2007
After a marathon debate lasting over eight hours, Parliament last evening passed the Gambling Prevention (Amendment) Bill, to allow for casinos to be established for the first time in Guyana .
The Bill was passed despite pleas from the opposition for it to be withdrawn, including an asserted statement from PNCR-1G frontbencher, Winston Murray that the Bill was “as bare as old mother Hubbard's Cupboard”.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, who piloted the Bill through the National Assembly moved to have it passed at about 22:45hrs, but not before Opposition Leader Robert Corbin and PNCR-1G frontbencher, Debra Backer called for a division of the House, which warranted a vote count.
This delayed the passage of the Bill for about fifteen minutes as the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs called on each member to state “yes” or “no” in support for or against the Bill.
Corbin called for a division on the second reading of the Bill, while Backer called for one on the third, just before Acting Speaker, Clarissa Riehl announced that the Bill was passed.
She did eventually declare the Bill as passed after the count by the Clerk revealed that some 35 MPs were in favour, while 26 were against.
Rohee moved to close the debate by seeking to allay fears raised earlier by the Opposition, related to increased instances of money laundering, drug trafficking and prostitution.
The Home Affairs Minister said that the Bill seeks to exclude poor Guyanese from engaging in casino gambling and noted that the Bill also creates an avenue of choice.
Rohee said that Guyana took a different turn with the introduction of casino gambling by confining its establishment.
Pointing to the economic gains, Rohee stated that the Buddy's International Hotel & Resort and Casique Palace will create some 300 jobs and revelaed that two other such hotels will create even more jobs.
He noted that Guyana needed to fill the gap created by the European Union sugar price cuts which saw the country losing some $37 million.
Answering criticisms that the security agencies will not be able to effectively police the ills that might emanate from the implementation of casinos, Rohee pointed to recent successes where the force arrested several alleged criminals, including those fingered in the slaying of five Kaieteur News pressmen.
He also pointed to regulation that will seek to ensure the prosecution of cheats and the establishment of “black books” at each casino location.
Rohee explained that these books will list the names of all those who are believed to be engaged in drug-running or other criminal enterprises.
With allegations about disregarding the Church in the crafting of the legislation, Rohee quipped that when the roll is called up yonder, members from the government's side would be there.
Murray who opened the day's proceedings pointed to the Bill not stating clearly the necessary policing mechanisms that will be used.
“The undefined scope of the Act, which gives the Minister the right to do so many things, including the setting up of a Gaming Authority is as bare as old mother Hubbard's cupboard.”
Noting that Guyana used the Bahamas model as a guide, Murray pointed out that in the Bahamas context, the legislation stated clearly what will be done when the Bill was enacted.
He pointed to the exclusion of the cost of licenses to the powers of the Gaming Authority.
Murray posited that the PNCR did not want to filibuster the legislation but thought it necessary that the party's views should be heard.
“So what if we waited until Monday. We know that government will eventually pass the Bill,” Murray stated.
He noted that there were some business gains, but cautioned that there were severe social spin-offs, including addictive gambling, drugs and prostitution.
Murray noted that Guyana already has revenge killings, prostitution, trafficking in persons (TIP), narco trafficking and money laundering, and sought to question the safeguards in place to protect against some of these social ills that may be amplified with the advent of casino gambling.
He said government has failed to provide specific details about the amount of jobs, and revenue earned from the introduction of casino gambling.
People's Progressive Party/Civic Member of Parliament Moses Nagamootoo said the Opposition during the entire debate failed miserably to prove that casino gambling has failed in any of the countries that it was introduced.
“Rather these countries have benefited tremendously from casino gaming and this government is committed to ensure that Guyana benefits… which it will, in the end Guyanese will be the beneficiaries of the economic and social impact,” Nagamootoo said.
He noted that the Government has recognised the role of religious beliefs in the development of civilisation and that they will not dispute this, but noted that Government also has a major role to play, and at the end of the day, to make decisions for the social and economic benefit of the country as a whole.
Nagamootoo in his arguments said the PNC in the 1960's had introduced radio bingo and this, the religious community should be aware of.
“Where was their righteousness then that we are seeing now? I want the religious community to know of this,” Nagamootoo said.
The Alliance for Change's Sheila Holder raised concern over the ability of the Gaming Authority to control casino gambling.
“I have not seen in this Amendment Bill what the powers of the gaming authority will be,” Holder said.
Nagamootoo said while Government understands that casino gaming will bring great advantages, it is cognisant of the disadvantages that may come with it and this is why the Gaming Authority will be established.
“The Gaming Authority will ensure that mechanisms are in place to protect any lawlessness or advantage of the poor, since only tourists and guests will be permitted to the casinos,” Nagamootoo said.
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.
Under section 29 (1) of the proposed Bill, the Gaming Authority could issue a casino licence authorising any place to be operated as a casino and further, the body could issue a casino operator's licence authorising the person to operate a casino.
The Amendment Bill will bar existing hotels and resorts that do not fulfil the requirements and conditions, for establishing casinos on their premises. No more than three casino licences will be issued in each administrative region.
Section 30 of the Bill states that, “no person other than workers and guests of the hotels or resorts shall be admitted to the casinos”.
Anyone who fails to comply with Section 30 is liable to a summary conviction carrying a fine of not less than $20M and imprisonment for a term not less than six months and not more than two years.
Debate on the Gambling Prevention (Amendment) Bill started on Friday and ended last evening with over 20 speakers contributing.