Gambling In Guyana

Remarks: Princess Casino Guyana is 10 minutes away from the Capital Georgetown. It is part of the Princess Hotel Guyana where its located. Princess Casino Guyana is the only Casino in Guyana. January 2011 last update. Gambling took on a whole new meaning in Guyana, before tiredness caught up with me in Suriname, followed by my delayed bag in Brazil. Day 57 – Venezuela to Guyana. A double-flight day and a sleepy start. Venezuela to Trinidad and Tobago, then on to Guyana four hours later. A chance to catch up on some more admin in the airport, or so I thought.

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I support the argument that gambling in Guyana is a benefit to the society. When I say gambling, I refer to legal gambling. I acknowledge that gambling can become an addictive activity on a personal basis and can lead one to bankruptcy. At the same time I believe that Guyanese should be given the freedom of choice to determine how they spend their money and what decisions are best for them. Some argue that gambling is bad for our society since it makes one addicted to it as with drugs.

I totally disagree since unlike drugs, gambling is not physically but is physiologically addictive.

The Guyana lottery, established in 1997, is deemed a legal form of gambling by the laws of Guyana. The lottery involves playing various games of chance with the hope of earning fast tax free cash. In an interview with Tracey Lewis, the lottery company’s general manager, she stated that the company provides direct employment for 34 persons and business opportunities for approximately 80 retail agents.

She also stated that the company has earned over $4. 5 billion in revenue for our country to date. From the facts given, can one really argue that a company that has done so much and is continuing to do much more is not beneficial for Guyana?

I highly doubt that since this company has made it possible for many Guyanese to be employed and also has donated significantly to our already struggling economy. The Gambling Prevention Law which was amended in 2007 legalized the establishment of casinos locally. The Casino provides a means of employment to many Guyanese and also is a source of revenue since the Casino owners are compelled to pay tax. The Casino Act states that the only people who can gamble at the casino are international tourists and locals who are guests at the hotel. One may argue that gambling in casinos will make more Guyanese bankrupt.

This can easily be refuted since the legislation only permit locals staying at the hotels to access the facility. In an interview with a receptionist at the Princess Hotel in Guyana, she claimed that about 99% of the guests at the hotel were foreigners. This clearly shows that it is highly unlikely that locals will become bankrupt from gambling at the casino since they are not usually guests there. The legislation permits only gambling in newly built hotels with a minimum of 250 rooms. Thus, this opened the doors for foreign investors to invest in new hotels here which will in turn create employment opportunities.

How can providing employment, tourism and revenue via a legal means be considered harmful to Guyana? In conclusion, legal gambling is greatly needed in a country like Guyana which is considered a third world country. According to www. cia. gov, Guyana has a debt of USD$1. 234 billion. Thus, legal gambling is a source of earning foreign currency which in turn can assist in settling our debts and developing our country. These are a few reasons why I support the argument that gambling in Guyana is a benefit to our society.

What do you think about casino gambling in Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean?

I’m of Guyanese descent. I’ve travelled the world and I went to Guyana for the first time 2 years ago. I’m expecting to go again this year. To be truthful with you I was shocked at what I saw in terms of it being a great country yet well under-developed and in desperate need of investment.
But I don’t think that by allowing casinos is the right way of building up this country.
If the government really want to help the country, start by creating job opportunities. There is so much land there that Guyana should have more towns and new communities being established. But most of all what Guyana needs IS GOD.
What I know about gambling that it exalts greed, which in turn exalts more corruption, which ultimately leads to more crime and it increases poverty.
B Richmond
England

I think Guyana's not ready for casino gambling.It's absurd and out of the question. Poor people will suffer badly. Children will become criminals and drug dealers. IT IS AN ABSURD,LUNATIC AND SELF CENTERED DECISION.
L Alves
Linden, Guyana

The point was already brought up that the majority of supporters for casinos live abroad. For one we lack the basic infrastructure needed to manage and regulate our economy as it stands, so how can the strain of Casinos and tourism be managed? We need to stop wasting time focusing on casinos and tourism, and place the resources and effort into the infrastructure we have, before we can do anything else. Basic principles of any good business; strengthen what you have before you tackle the unknown.
The point was already brought up that the majority of supporters for casinos live abroad. For one we lack the basic infrastructure needed to manage and regulate our economy as it stands, so how can the strain of Casinos and tourism be managed? We need to stop wasting time focusing on casinos and tourism, and place the resources and effort into the infrastructure we have, before we can do anything else. Basic principles of any good business; strengthen what you have before you tackle the unknown.
A Jervis
Annandale, Guyana

By introducing casino gambling the Guyana government is suggesting that more tourists will come. The question is what type of tourists is desired and will the ordinary tourist travel past all those beaches and resorts in the Caribbean to come to Guyana to gamble?
I think not! Guyana can hardly manage to quell corruption in its key agencies and cannot control crime. This will be a very attractive place for perpetrators of organized crime and money launderers. The truth is Guyana is selling the little morals it has left for a couple of bucks in taxes from gambling.
A Thomas
Georgetown, Guyana

A casino would establish Guyana's introduction into the developing world and move us away from the holy power of the churches.
Asif
NY, USA

I think this is an important decision for the country and the Government should have widespread consultation before making a decision.
The Jagdeo government is now behaving like Burnham and doing things against the wishes of the people.
If what I am hearing is correct, at least 90 percent of the Guyanese follow some sort of religion. It seems all religions in Guyana do not approve; Hindu, Muslim and Christian leaders are all against this.
If Jagdeo can’t convince them, he should shelve the idea and not pull a Burnham-move on the Guyanese
P Singh
New York, USA

I think it's a great idea. Guyana is an under developed country and possibly with casinos opening and tourist's visiting for the ICC Cricket World Cup, there will be more money put into the country to better itself. Although there are downfalls to having casinos, there will also be benefits also.
A Khan
London, England

Visitors to Guyana for the Cricket World Cup are not interested in casinos. Safety is the number one priority. Most Guyanese still in Guyana will not be able to afford to go to the casino. Casinos are for a certain type of person. I bet most of the money brought in by this venture will end up in USA and not where it is needed in Guyana.
D Dez
Hastings, UK

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I am not surprised that the majority people in favour of casinos live abroad. This is a sort of 'it is alright if it is not in my back yard syndrome'. Gambling corrupts and demoralises while it increases prostitution and alcohol consumption.
There is enough corruption in Guyana, the country needs to look at other ways of turning around poverty such as lower taxes, more incentives to Guyanese working abroad to come home, investing and building the country through manufacturing, commercial services and educational avenues.
Rena
Georgetown

Guyana is not one of the most fortunate country when it comes to tourism due to the lack of activities tourist wants. With the upcoming cricket event casinos may actually help in the creation of jobs and boost the country economy.
C Cyril
NYC, USA

I have a lot of family who live in Guyana and I am one of the fortunate ones that were able to leave and educate myself abroad. I am currently in law school in Los Angeles, however, many of my cousins and other extended family cannot find a job that fully provides for their needs. When people plan trips to the Caribbean, Guyana is not normally the 1st place they think to go. The casinos may help turn around poverty by bringing more travel, thereby increasing the profits of local businesses and hopefully expansion opportunities. The casinos and the hotels associated with them will employ a large number of people and will help put more money into the community. Crime and drugs increase because people have no other way to support themselves. Give the people a chance to work for ‘legit’ money and crime and drugs may decrease. The casinos will be a chance to grow!
Chanel
Los Angeles, USA

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I share the view that gambling and avenues of gambling should not be controlled by the view of religion but by the economic benefit(s) of Guyana. Bearing in mind, culture is important, it’s the choice of the people to gamble or not to gamble.
T Dhanpaul
Scarborough, Canada

I left Guyana 44 years ago and as child growing up I heard of people betting on the horse races. I think casino gambling will increase poverty.
M Ali-Moffatt
Vancouver, Canada

All things being equal, casinos would be a welcome development but that is not the case in Guyana. There are already grave concerns about drugs and money laundering in Guyana and it is no great revelation that casino gambling will exacerbate this. Yes, we are trying to develop the tourism industry but it is not yet active enough that we can legislate that only foreigners will be allowed to gamble. The tourists who tend to visit Guyana don't gamble...and the tourists who do don't visit Guyana...they visit countries where gambling is legal but there are the accompanying amenities; good hotels, better infrastructure etc. We are not there yet.
When there aren't enough 'foreigners' to keep the investment afloat then it will be the locals who are targeted.
J Collins,
London, UK

I think having gambling in these countries is a step towards economic improvement. You cannot always base things on religion. In some ways it is bad because more people will spend all their time and money on gambling. In another way, casinos bring more money and more employment opportunities. Casinos in Guyana would be a great place for foreigners to enjoy their time.
C Baldeo
Boston, USA

I think Guyanese have reacted against casinos for fear of this thing going out of control as with so many other economic activities in this country
We have a lot of 'development projects' that have not been monitored and controlled properly by the relevant agencies here. Things have a way of getting out of hand here. Just to identify a few: beer gardens, restaurants, BBQ spots, Fish & Chips Spots are among some of the liming spots that spring up anytime and anywhere and sad to say although we have laws governing these, it still goes on. No one seems to be responsible for these activities which many times disturb the peace in residential areas. There are other cottage industries which we need to be regularised. We also have well established organisations which contribute to dust and noise that plague people for years
J
Georgetown, Guyana

I think having casinos in Guyana is a great idea. Guyana is finally emerging after decades of misrule and must keep the momentum going, in order to gain on her neighbours in the Caribbean and South America. To do so, Guyana must create job opportunities and businesses must take the leading role. However, the government must provide a safe environment for patrons of the casinos. Additionally, casinos will help attract tourists and encourage expats to visit their former home land which will provide much needed revenue for Guyana.
M Allan
New York City, USA