Gambling News by Gambling Headquarters

The main opposition party said Friday it is planning large demonstrations to protest a new sales tax and legislation that would allow limited gambling in Guyana. Aubrey Norton, a lawmaker from the People's National Congress, said the party was appealing for people to swarm Georgetown's commercial center and block roads leading to the capital next week in a two-day protest. The administration of President Bharrat Jagdeo introduced a bill in parliament Thursday that would allow a few yet-to-be-built hotels to qualify for gambling licenses. The ruling party expects its majority will approve the bill, which could allow gambling in hotels near a new stadium being readied for the 2007 cricket World Cup. Opponents argue drug traffickers and organized crime could gain more power in the South American country by exerting influence over casinos. The country lacks the regulatory and judicial systems needed to oversee the gambling industry, they argue. "It is clear to us that we are heading for chaos," Norton said. "The legislation is being tailored solely for friends of the government." Only foreigners would be permitted to wager in proposed casinos, but religious groups have argued the measure would encourage vice. Protesters outside parliament Thursday carried signs that said casino gambling increases poverty and hurts families. Norton said opposition parties are also outraged by confusion surrounding a new 16 percent sales tax, which was designed to replace a more complex tax scheme when it took effect Jan. 1. Despite government assurances that prices would fall in many cases, vendors and supermarkets have applied the tax to exempted items, leading to cost increases for food and other items.