Guam may reduce casino services
Guam Senator introduced an amendment to reduce casino activities during local fairs, specially the popular Liberation Carnival.
US.- Legislators of Guam, an unincorporated and organised Pacific island of the United States, attempted to limit casino services during regional fairs. Senator Telena Nelson, D-Dededo, and Speaker Benjamin Cruz, D-Tumon, have recently introduced bill 50-34 to reduce gaming offerings at the most popular event of the year, the Liberation Carnival.
Telena explained that they want to preserve the public sentiment against casinos and that the government should take responsibilities on inhabitants’ addictions. “If we’re part of the community or the agencies that brings this gambling, this addiction toward our people, we cannot say, ‘It is not our problem,’” commented Telena. As response, mayors of Guam’s communities presented yesterday a formal complaint to block the bill.
Both Mayors Council of Guam and Liberation Historical Society are currently in charge of gaming services during carnivals, following current casino laws. If legislators approve the bill 50-34, those legislations will be dismissed. Meanwhile, the government is carrying out a poll to take into account the popular opinion about casinos.
Sinajana Mayor Robert Hoffman, representative of Mayors Council, commented that gaming activities help funding national festivals. “Presently, no public funds are used to host the events, memorials, parade, carnival, fireworks. And we can safely say, if there is no money, these events will not take place,” stated Hoffman. According to the official, casino revenues are also delivered to fund the Guam Police Department, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Chamorro Affairs and the Chamorro Village.
