The government has tabled the Gaming Authority Bill in the National Assembly, marking a significant step toward strengthening oversight of Guyana’s rapidly expanding gambling industry following sustained calls from the religious community and other stakeholders.
The proposed legislation seeks to tighten the regulation of gaming activities amid growing concerns over the social consequences of increased access to gambling through betting shops and mobile applications.
The move follows months of lobbying by religious organisations and other groups concerned about the impact of gambling on vulnerable individuals, families and rural communities. Those concerns have centred on issues such as gambling addiction, financial hardship and the broader social effects associated with the industry’s rapid growth.
The bill also fulfills a commitment made by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in October last year, when he announced that the government would introduce sweeping reforms to the sector.
At the time, the Vice President warned that gambling had evolved from a tightly regulated activity associated primarily with the hotel sector into what he described as “gambling on demand,” driven by the proliferation of hundreds of betting outlets and smartphone applications.
The bill is expected to be referred to a Special Select Committee at the next sitting of Parliament, which will allow for a detailed examination of its provisions and provide an opportunity for further consideration of measures aimed at strengthening the regulatory framework governing the gaming industry.
The government has said the reforms are intended to respond to growing concerns over the industry’s expansion while addressing its social and economic impact on communities across Guyana.