Guyana AFC Calls for Impact Study on Casino Gambling
Gambling People
The Alliance For Change (AFC) of Guyana, in the name of Sheila Holder
MP, has submitted a motion to the National Assembly calling for the
government of Guyana to commission an impact study on the proposed
introduction of casino gambling.
The motion requests that the Assembly call on the government og Guyana
to utilise the expertise of the University of Guyana to conduct a study
to look at whether casino gambling would contribute to the country's
tourism product and its effect on the existing crime situation.
Government has announced its intention to introduce casino gambling to
boost to the country's tourism and hospitality industry and has begun
consultation with stakeholders. The religious communities of Guyana
Hindu Dharma Sabha, the Guyana Arya Samaj, the Guyana Council of
Churches, the Guyana Evangelical Council and the Central Islamic
Organisation of Guyana have all declared their opposition to the
proposed casino gambling. Government spokesmen have emphasised that
there would be a proviso in the proposed legislation to preclude
Guyanese from participating in casino gambling within the limits of the
country.
Sheila Holder's motion of the Alliance for Change has proposed that a
study be conducted within a time frame of three months, to examine the
following:
1. The practicality of the government's proposal to exclude Guyanese
participation,
2. This practicality in the context of administrative, budgeting and
the policing measures that would be required.
The motion also calls for government to retain the service of academics
to advise under what conditions, if any, revenues from the gaming
industry would positively impact economic development and mitigate the
negatives associated with it.