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GEORGETOWN, Guyana, January 10, 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.
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