The Gaming Authority has been reconstituted so as to monitor the operations of the country’s lone casino, being operated at Princess Hotel, Providence.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee on Friday, February 3, said the body was reconstituted in accordance with the Gambling Prevention Amendment Act. The Gaming Authority has the responsibility to oversee the casino operations at Princess Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
“They also have the function to issue licences under Section 32 of the Gambling Prevention Act, monitor the operations of the casino, administer the regulations of the act and advise the minister with respect to the administration of the regulations and any other relevant matter,” Rohee told the media.
Manniram Prashad
Those sitting on the authority are former Tourism Minister, Manniram Prashad, who is serving as chairman; Oscar Phillips; former Tourism and Labour Minister, Manzoor Nadir; and Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) President, Indranauth Haralsingh.
Another person is to be named Rohee stated.
The Gaming Authority held its first meeting in January 2009 under the chairmanship of Anthony Xavier, Roxanne Reece, Captain Gerald Gouveia, Oscar Phillips and Wilet Hamilton.
At that time, the authority considered applications by the Georgetown, Investments and Management Services Inc for a premises licence and Princess Hotel Casino (Guyana) for an operator’s licence.
The authority was established in December 2008 under Section 32 (1) C of the Gaming Prevention Amendment Act, and is responsible for the issuance of licences under Section 32 of the act; the monitoring of casino operations here; the administration of regulations made under the act and advising the minister with respect to the administration of the regulations or any other relevant matter.
In February 2009, the Gaming Authority issued a premises licence to Georgetown Investment and Management Services Inc for the establishment of a casino and an operator’s licence to Princess Hotel Casino. The Gambling Prevention Law amended in 2007 allows only registered guests of the hotel and overseas nationals to be patrons of the casino. There has over the years been widespread objection to the legislation from members of the religious community, who argued that there are serious societal ills connected with gambling.
It was said that having such a facility here could lead to economic ruin. The act states that contravention or failure to comply with the regulations will result in conviction and could lead to fines of not less than Gy$1 million or more than Gy$20 million, and imprisonment for terms of not less than six months or more than two years. The legislation allows for the issuance of casino premises licences to a new hotel or resort complex with a minimum of 150 rooms ideal for accommodation.
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo had said at the opening of the Princess Casino that while he is not in support of gambling, he believes that Guyanese need to be able to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of choice.
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