L.R.O. 1/2012
LAWS OF GUYANA
GAMBLING PREVENTION ACT
CHAPTER 9:02
Act
42 of 1902
Amended by
21 of 1924 19 of 1955
19 of 1930 14 of 1969
31 of 1940 O.9/1957
22 of 1941 10 of 1981
33 of 1947 5 of 2007
9 of 1950
14 of 1952
58 of 1952
(inclusive) by L.R.O.
Pages Authorised
Current Authorised Pages
1 – 35 ... 1/2012
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Index
of
Subsidiary Legislation
Page
Gambling Prevention (Casino Operations Prescribed Fees)
Regulations
22
(Reg. 20/2008)
Gambling Prevention (Establishment of Gaming Authority)
Regulations
24
(Reg. 21/2008)

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CHAPTER 9:02
GAMBLING PREVENTION
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
SECTION
1. Short title.
2. Interpretation.
3. Common gaming house a public nuisance.
4. Offences.
5. Persons playing, or being found, in a common gaming house.
6. Taking part in public lottery.
7. Moneys paid for lottery ticket recoverable.
8. Contract for sale of lottery ticket void.
9. Postmaster General may confiscate lottery tickets and
advertisements.
10. Gambling or betting in licensed premises.
11. Using place for gambling or betting without permission of owner.
12. Justice of the peace may issue search warrant.
13. Justice of the peace may issue warrant to search persons.
14. Presumptions as to instruments or appliances for gambling.
15. (1) Presumption as to construction of place.
(2) Duty of superintendent of police as to place.
(3) Effect of notice to owner of place.
16. (1) Demolition of place specially erected or constructed for
gambling.
(2) Penalty for non-compliance with order for demolition.
17. Non-production of information.
18. Mode of trial.
19. Director of Public Prosecutions’ fiat.
20. Exemption of certain lotteries from provisions of Act.
21. Exemption of Demerara Turf Club, Ltd., from provisions of
Act.
22. Constitution of the Sweepstakes (Charity) Committee.
23. Duty of Sweepstakes (Charity) Committee.
24. Duty of charitable organisations to keep accounts.
25. Power to discontinue payments to charitable organisations.
26. Power to make regulations.
27. Casino premises require licence
28. Operation of casino premises require licence
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SECTION
29. Authority may issue casino premises licence and casino operator’s
licence.
30. No person other than workers or guest, etc. to be admitted to casino.
31. Offences and penalties.
32. Regulations for casinos.
33. Licensed casinos and licensed casino operations not unlawful.
_______________________
1929 Ed.
c. 95
1953 Ed.
c. 21 _______________________________________________________
42 of 1902 An Act for the suppression of Common Gaming Houses and
Gambling, and of Lotteries of a public nature, or to
which the public has or may have access.
[27TH DECEMBER, 1902]
Short title.
Interpretation.
[14 of 1969
5 of 2007]
1. This Act may be cited as the Gambling Prevention
Act.
2. (1) In this Act—
“betting” excludes licensed casino gambling;
“casino operator’s license” means a license of that name
issued under section 29;
“casino premises license” means a license of that name
issued under section 29
“casino regulations” means any regulations made under
section 32;
“common gaming house” includes any place kept or used for
gambling, to which the public, or any class of the public,
CHAPTER 9:02
GAMBLING PREVENTION

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has, or may have access, and any place kept for habitual
gambling, whether the public, or any class of the public,
has, or may have, access thereto or not, and any place
kept or used for the purpose of a public lottery but
excludes a licensed casino;
“gaming” excludes licensed casino gambling;
“Gaming Authority” means the Gaming Authority
established under the casino regulations;
“gambling” means to play at or engage in any game of
chance, or pretended game of chance, for money or
money’s worth but excludes licensed casino gambling;
“licence” means a casino premises licence or a casino
operator’s license;
“licensed casino” means a place in respect of which a casino
premises license has been issued and is in force;
“licensed casino gambling” means any activity in a licensed
casino authorised under a casino premises license;
“instruments or appliances for gambling” includes all articles
which are used in and for the purpose of gambling or a
lottery;
“lottery” includes any game, method, or device whereby
money or money’s worth is distributed or allotted in any
manner depending upon, or to be determined by, chance
or lot, held, drawn, exercised or managed within Guyana
but excludes licensed casino gambling;
“lottery ticket” includes any paper, figure, writing, symbol, or
other article whatsoever, either expressly or tacitly
entitling, or purporting to entitle, the holder or any other
person to receive money or money’s worth on the
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Common
gaming house
a public
nuisance.
Offences.
[31 of 1940
6 of 1997]

happening of an event or a contingency connected with a
public lottery;
“place” means any house, office, room, or building, and any
place or spot, whether open or enclosed, and includes a
ship, boat, or other vessel, whether afloat or not, and any
vehicle;
“public lottery” means a lottery to which the public or any
class of the public has, or may have, access, and every
lottery shall, until the contrary be proved, be deemed to
be a public lottery.
(2) A place in which lottery tickets are sold or
distributed shall be deemed to be used for the purpose of a
public lottery; and a place shall be deemed to be used for a
purpose, if it is used for that purpose even on one occasion
only.
(3) Everyone who lets to hire a place shall be
deemed the owner thereof.
3. Every common gaming house is hereby declared to
be a common and public nuisance contrary to law.

4. Anyone who—
(a) being the owner or occupier, or
having the use temporarily or
otherwise thereof, keeps, or uses a
place as a common gaming house; or
(b) permits a place of which he is owner
or occupier, or of which he has the use
temporarily or otherwise, to be kept
or used by another person as a
common gaming house; or
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(c) has the care or management, or in any
manner assists in the management of
a place kept or used as a common
gaming house, or assists in carrying
on a public lottery; or
(d) receives directly or indirectly any
money or money’s worth for or in
respect of any chance in, or event or
contingency connected with, a public
lottery, whether held in or out of
Guyana, or sells, or offers for sale, or
gives, or delivers, any lottery ticket,
including any ticket for any lottery
conducted elsewhere than in Guyana;
or
(e) draws, throws, declares, or exhibits,
expressly or otherwise, the winner, or
winning number, ticket, lot, figure,
design, symbol, or other result of any
public lottery; or
(f) writes, prints, or publishes, or causes
to be written, printed or published,
any lottery ticket, or list of prizes, or
any announcement of the result of a
public lottery, or any announcement
relating to a public lottery; or
(g) announces or publishes, or causes to
be announced or published, either
orally or by means of any print,
writing, design, sign, or otherwise,
that any place is opened, kept, or used
as a common gaming house, or in any
other manner invites or solicits any
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Persons
playing, or
being found, in
a common
gaming house.
[6 of 1997]
Taking part in
public lottery.
[6 of 1997]
Moneys paid
for lottery
person to commit a breach of sections
5 and 6, or either of them; or
(h) advances, furnishes, or receives
money for the purpose of establishing
or conducting the business of a
common gaming house, or for the
purpose of a public lottery,
shall be liable to a fine of one hundred and ninety-five
thousand dollars or to imprisonment for twelve months.
5. (1) Whosoever plays in a common gaming house,
shall be liable to a fine of four thousand eight hundred and
seventy-five dollars or to imprisonment for two months.
(2) A person found in a common gaming house,
or found escaping therefrom on the occasion of its being
entered under this Act, shall be presumed until the contrary
be proved to be or to have been playing therein.
6. (1) Whosoever, either personally, or by an agent
pays or deposits any money or money’s worth to or with any
person concerned in the business of a common gaming house
as a stake, or for or in respect of any event or contingency
connected with a public lottery, or buys a lottery ticket, shall
be liable to a fine of four thousand eight hundred and
seventy-five dollars or to imprisonment for two months.
(2) A person in whose possession a lottery ticket is
found shall be presumed until the contrary be proved to have
bought it.
(3) Every lottery ticket in respect of a lottery within
Guyana shall be forfeited, and it shall be the duty of any
police or rural constable to seize the ticket wherever found.
7. Any money or money’s worth paid or deposited
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ticket
recoverable.
Contract for
sale of lottery
ticket void.
Postmaster
General may
confiscate
lottery tickets
and advertise-
ments.
Gambling or
betting in
licensed
premises.
[6 of 1997]

Using place for
gambling or
betting without
permission of
owner.
[6 of 1997]
for or in respect of any event or contingency aforesaid, or for
or in respect of the purchase of a lottery ticket, shall be
recoverable as money had and received to or for the use of the
person from whom it was received.
8. Every sale or contract for the sale of a lottery ticket
is hereby declared to be void, and no action shall be
maintainable by anyone in respect of that sale or contract,
except by the purchaser for the return of the money or other
consideration (if any) paid therefor.
9. The Postmaster General from time to time, with the
approval of the Minister, may make any regulations he thinks
fit for preventing the sending or delivery by post of letters,
circulars, advertisements, or tickets, of or concerning any
lottery, whether the lottery is conducted or held in or out of
Guyana, and whether the letters, circulars, advertisements, or
tickets are posted in Guyana, or in any country or place
outside Guyana.
10. All persons found at any time gambling or
betting, or assembled together for that purpose, in any public
place or premises licensed for the sale of spirituous liquors,
shall be liable to a fine of four thousand eight hundred and
seventy-five dollars or to imprisonment for two months; and
any police or rural constable may, on view and without
warrant, arrest those persons, and may enter the place for that
purpose.
11. (1) All persons found using any place for the
purpose of gambling or betting without the permission of the
owner or occupier thereof, shall be liable to a fine of four
thousand eight hundred and seventy-five dollars or to
imprisonment for two months; and, in that case, the onus of
proving the permission shall lie on the defendants.
(2) Any police or rural constable, upon
complaint to him by any householder that any place is being
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Justice of the
peace may issue
search warrant.
Justice of the
peace may
issue warrant
to search
persons.

used by two or more persons for the purpose of gambling or
betting, without the permission of the owner or occupier
thereof, may enter therein and arrest all persons then found
therein so using the place.
12. (l) A justice of the peace, on being satisfied upon
written information on oath that there is good reason to
believe that any place is kept or used as a common gaming
house, may by warrant authorise any police constable, with
and by any necessary assistance and force, by night or by day,
to enter or go to that place, and to search it and all persons
found therein, and to seize all instruments and appliances for
gambling, and all money, securities for money, and other
articles reasonably supposed to have been used, or intended
to be used, for any game or lottery, found there or on those
persons; and also to detain those persons until they and the
place have been searched.
(2) If any of the things or circumstances by this Act
made presumptive evidence of guilt are found or exist in the
place, or on anyone therein, each of those persons shall be
detained in custody until he can be brought or gives bail for
his appearance before a magistrate to be dealt with according
to law.
(3) All instruments and appliances for gambling,
money, securities for money, and other articles found in a
common gaming house, or on anyone found therein, or
escaping therefrom and which the magistrate is of opinion
were used or intended to be used for any game or lottery shall
be declared by him to be forfeited.
13. A justice of the peace, on being satisfied upon
information on oath that there is good reason to believe that
any instruments or appliances for gaming are likely to be
found on any person, may by warrant authorize any police or
rural constable to arrest that person, and take him forthwith
before any justice, who shall thereupon cause him to be
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Presumptions
as to
instruments or
appliances for
gambling.
Presumption as
to construction
of place.

Duty of
superintendent
of police as to
place.
searched in the justice’s presence, and if any instrument or
appliance is found upon him, he shall be detained in custody
until he can be brought, or gives bail for his appearance,
before a magistrate to be dealt with according to law.
14. If any instruments or appliances of gambling are
found in any place entered under this Act, or upon anyone
found therein, or if persons are seen or heard to escape
therefrom on the approach or entry of any police or other
constable having authority under this Act to enter or go to the
place, or if the police or other constable is unlawfully
prevented from, or obstructed or delayed in entering or
approaching the place or any part thereof, it shall be
presumed until the contrary be proved that the place is a
common gaming house and is so kept or used by the occupier
thereof.
15. (1) If, in the case of a place entered under this Act,
any passage, staircase, or means of access to any part thereof
is unusually narrow, or steep, or otherwise difficult to pass, or
any part of the premises is provided with unusual or
unusually numerous means for preventing or obstructing an
entry, or with unusual contrivances for enabling persons
therein to see or ascertain the approach or entry of persons, or
for giving the alarm, or for facilitating escape from the
premises, it shall be presumed, until the contrary be proved,
that the place is a common gaming house and is so kept or
used by the occupier thereof.
(2) Whenever it comes to the knowledge of the
superintendent of police in charge of any county or district
that any place in that county or district is fitted or provided
with any of the means or contrivances mentioned in this
section, in such a way as to lead to a presumption that the
place is used, or intended to be used, for the purposes of a
common gaming house, it shall be the duty of the
superintendent to cause notice thereof to be served on the
owner of the place if he can be found, and if he cannot be
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Effect of notice
to owner of
place.

Demolition of
place specially
erected or
constructed for
gambling.

Penalty for
non-
compliance
with order for
demolition.
[6 of 1997]
Non-
production of
found then the notice may be served by being affixed to the
principal outer door or any other conspicuous part of the
place.
(3) Whenever the notice has been served as
aforesaid on the owner, it shall be presumed until the
contrary is proved that the place in the notice mentioned is
kept or used as a common gaming house with the permission
of the owner thereof.
16. (1) Whenever upon the trial of any offence under
this Act, it appears to the magistrate that the place in or in
respect of which the offence is alleged to have been
committed is a common gaming house and is fitted or
provided with any of the means or contrivances mentioned in
the last preceding section, he may, if he thinks fit, cause the
owner thereof to be summoned before him at a time and place
to be mentioned in the summons, to show cause why an order
should not be made against the owner for the demolition and
destruction of so much of the premises as appears to have
been specially erected or constructed for the purpose of
facilitating the carrying on of gambling therein.
(2) In default of the owner showing cause to the
contrary at the time and place mentioned in the summons, or
at the time and place to which the summons is adjourned, the
magistrate may order the owner of the premises, within a
time to be fixed in the order, to cause to be demolished and
destroyed so much thereof as appears to him to have been so
specially erected or constructed, and on proof of non-
compliance with the order, the owner shall be liable to a fine
of four thousand eight hundred and seventy-five dollars or
imprisonment for two months, and to a further fine of one
thousand nine hundred and fifty dollars or imprisonment for
seven days for every day during which the non-compliance
continues.
17. (1) Except as hereafter in this section mentioned,
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information.

Mode of trial.

Director of
Public
Prosecutions’
fiat.
Exemption of
certain lotteries
from provisions
of Act.
[22 of 1941
14 of 1952
19 of 1955
14 of 1969]
no information laid under this Act shall be admitted in
evidence in any civil or criminal proceeding whatever, and no
witness shall be obliged or permitted to disclose the name or
address of any informer under this Act, or state any matter
which might lead to his discovery.
(2) Moreover, if any books or documents or
papers which are in evidence, or liable to inspection in any
civil or criminal proceeding whatsoever, contain any entry in
which any informer is named or described, or which might
lead to his discovery, the court shall cause all those passages
to be concealed from view, or to be obliterated so far as may
be necessary to protect the informer from discovery, but no
farther.
(3) But if, on the trial of any offence under this Act,
the magistrate, after full inquiry, believes that the informer
wilfully made in his information a material statement which
he knew or believed to be false, or did not believe to be true,
or if in any other proceeding the magistrate is of opinion that
justice requires the discovery of the informer, he may require
the production of the original information, and permit inquiry
and require full disclosure concerning the informer.
18. All offences against this Act shall be dealt with
under the Summary Jurisdiction Act.
19. No proceedings shall be taken against anyone for
an offence under sections 4, 5 and 6 without the fiat of the
Director of Public Prosecutions being first obtained.
20. Nothing in this Act shall apply—
(a) to any lottery organised with the
permission of the Minister and
controlled by a committee of three
responsible citizens approved by the
Minister for the purpose of raising
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funds—
(i) for the building or repair of any
church or school; or
(ii) in aid of any institution or
organization of a philanthropic,
charitable, religious, medical or public
character approved by the Minister:
Provided that—
(i) the total value of the lottery
ticket issued in respect of such
lottery shall not exceed the sum
of five thousand dollars or such
greater sum as the Minister in
any particular case deems meet;
(ii) the expenses of administering
the lottery which may be
deducted from the gross
receipts from the lottery shall
only be the cost of stationery
used and of printing and
advertising done in respect of
the lottery; and
(iii) within thirty days after the date
on which such lottery is drawn,
the committee of three
responsible persons approved
by the Minister who controlled
the lottery shall submit to the
Minister a statement of account
in connection therewith duly
verified by such committee; or
(b) to the sale by raffle or lottery of
articles exposed for sale at any bazaar
or fair held for raising funds in aid of
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Exemption of
Demerara Turf
Club, Ltd., from
provisions of
Act.
[22 of 1941
9 of 1950
14 of 1952
58 of 1952]

any institution of a philanthropic,
charitable or religious character; or
(c) to any sweepstake organised and
controlled by any horse racing club or
association at, and on the day of, any
race meeting held in Guyana under
the auspices of that club or
association.
21. (1) Notwithstanding this Act, but subject however
to this section, it shall be lawful for the Demerara Turf Club,
Limited (hereinafter referred to as “the Club”) to organise and
conduct a lottery or sweepstake in connection with any race
meeting held under the auspices of the Club or under the
auspices of any racing club or association affiliated thereto or
in connection with any race run in England under Jockey
Club Rules or National Hunt Rules.
(2) The books and accounts of the Club in
connection with any lottery or sweepstake shall at all
reasonable times be open to the inspection of the Accountant
General or any person authorised by him in writing.
(3) Within fourteen days after the date of the draw
for any lottery or sweepstake the Club shall submit to the
Accountant General a statement of account in connection
therewith duly verified by the auditor of the Club.
(4) Within fourteen days after the date of the draw
for any lottery or sweepstake there shall be paid by the Club
to the Sweepstakes (Charity) Committee, as hereinafter
constituted, eight per cent of the gross receipts from that
lottery or sweepstake evidenced by a statement of account
duly verified by the auditor of the Club:
Provided that the Minister may, by order, vary the
percentage to be paid to the Sweepstakes (Charity)
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Constitution of
the Sweep-
stakes
(Charity)
Committee.
[22 of 1941]
Duty of
Sweepstakes
(Charity)
Committee.
[33 of 1947]
Committee under this subsection.
(5) An order made under the proviso to the last
preceding subsection shall be laid before the National
Assembly.
(6) All apportionments by the Club of prizes to be
distributed or allocated whether in the form of money or
money’s worth in connection with any sweepstake or lottery
shall be subject to the approval of the Minister.
22. The Sweepstakes (Charity) Committee shall
consist of three persons who shall be appointed by the
Minister.
23. (1) For the purposes of this and the following
sections—
“approved charitable organisation” means any charitable
organisation to which the Sweepstakes (Charity) Committee
made payments under this Act prior to the 31st December,
1947.
(2) Subject to section 25(2), the Sweepstakes
(Charity) Committee shall distribute among the approved
charitable organisations the amounts received in any one year
under section 21(4), or the sum of six thousand dollars if the
amounts so received exceed that sum, and shall pay to each
such organisation the same percentage as was paid to that
organisation prior to the 31st December, 1947.
(3) Where the amounts received in any one year
under section 21(4), exceed the sum distributable under
subsection (2) of this section, the Sweepstakes (Charity)
Committee shall—
(a) set aside from the excess such sum as
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Duty of
charitable
organisations to
keep accounts.
[33 of 1947]
Power to
discontinue
payments to
charitable
organisations.
[33 of 1947]
the Minister may approve, being not
less than ten per cent of such excess,
to be disbursed for such charitable
purpose or purposes (excluding any
charitable organisation which derives
benefit under this Act) as the Minister
may direct; and
(b) distribute the balance of the excess
among such of the approved
charitable organisations and such
other charitable organisations as the
Minister may, in each instance,
approve, and shall pay to each such
organisation the percentage approved
by the Minister.
24. Every charitable organisation which derives
benefit under this Act shall keep accounts to the satisfaction
of the Sweepstakes (Charity) Committee, and shall before the
1st June in every year transmit to the Sweepstakes (Charity)
Committee an audited statement of its total receipts and
expenditure, including the receipt and expenditure of
amounts paid to it by the Sweepstakes (Charity) Committee,
for the twelve months ending on the 31st day of the previous
December, inclusive.
25. (1) If in the opinion of the Sweepstakes (Charity)
Committee a charitable organisation—
(a) has ceased to operate or ceased to
operate as a charitable organisation;
or
(b) is not being properly conducted; or
(c) is no longer in need of financial
assistance,
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Power to make
regulations.
[33 of 1947]
Casino
premises
require licence
[5 of 2007]
Operation of
Casino
requires licence
[5 of 2007]
Authority may
issue casino
premises
licence and
casino
operator’s
the Sweepstakes (Charity) Committee may discontinue
payment to that organisation.
(2) Where the organisation in respect of which
payments are discontinued in accordance with subsection (1)
is an approved charitable organisation the sum distributable
under section 23(2) shall be reduced by the percentage
payable to such organisation.
(3) Any charitable organisation which is
dissatisfied with a decision of the Sweepstakes (Charity)
Committee under this section may appeal to the Minister.
26. The Minister may make regulations—
(a) prescribing the accounts to be kept by the
Sweepstakes (Charity) Committee and an
audit thereof; and
(b) prescribing the returns to be rendered by the
Sweepstakes (Charity) Committee; and
(c) generally for the carrying out of their duties
by the Sweepstakes (Charity) Committee.
27. No owner or occupier of any place shall permit
the place to be operated as a casino otherwise than in
accordance with a casino premises licence.
28. No person shall operate a casino otherwise than in
accordance with a casino operator’s licence.
29. (1) Subject to sections 27 to 33 and the casino
regulations, the Gaming Authority may issue to any person,
subject to any conditions it thinks fit –
(a) a casino premises licence authorising
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licence
[5 of 2007]
No person
other than
workers, or
guests, etc. to
be admitted to
casino
[5 of 2007]
Offence and
penalties
[5 of 2007]

any place to be operated as a casino;
(b) a casino operator’s licence authorising
the person to operate a casino.
(2) No more than three casino premises licences
may be issued in respect of any one of the ten regions into
which Guyana is divided.
(3) No casino premises licence may be issued
except for a new hotel or resort complex –
(a) with a minimum of one hundred and
fifty rooms allocated for
accommodation; and
(b) holding a minimum rating prescribed
by regulations.
30. No person shall admit to a licensed casino any
person other than—
(a) a worker at the casino;
(b) a paying guest accommodated in a room of
the hotel or resort complex in respect of
which the casino premises license for the
casino was issued;
(c) any other person or class of persons
authorised by the regulations.
31. Every person who contravenes or fails to comply
with section 27, 28 or 30 commits an offence and is liable on
summary conviction to a fine of not less than one million
dollars nor more than twenty million dollars and
imprisonment for a term not less than six months nor more
than two years.
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Regulations for
casino
[5 of 2007]
32. (1) The Minister may make regulations for all or
any of the following purposes -
(a) to establish a Gaming Authority and
to give it, or authorize it to give any
other body or person, any power,
duty, or function considered by the
Minister to be necessary for the
administration of sections 27 to 31 and
this section including casino
regulations;
(b) to prescribe the form or content of any
application for a licence;
(c) to prescribe the fees payable-
(i) for any application for a
licence;
(ii) for the issue of any
licence;
(d) to prescribe conditions for, and
restrictions, on the issuing of any
licence;
(e) to prescribe criteria to be considered
in determining any application for a
licence;
(f) to regulate the amendment, transfer,
renewal, suspension and revocation
of any licence;
(g) to require the holder of any licence to
keep records, registers, and other
documentation, make any of these
LAWS OF GUYANA
Gambling Prevention Cap. 9:02 21
L.R.O. 1/2012

Regulations for
casino
[5 of 2007]
available for inspection, or make
reports or returns;
(h) to regulate any activity or conduct in
or in relation to licensed casinos;
(i) to prescribe penalties for the breach of
any casino regulations not exceeding
the maximum penalties set out for an
offence in section 31;
(j) to provide for such other matters as
necessary to give effect to sections 27
to 31 and this section, including
casino regulations, and for the due
administration of these sections.
(2) Regulations made under this section –
(a) may require any matter or thing to be
approved by or to the satisfaction of a
specified person or body;
(b) may leave any matter or thing to be
from time to time determined,
applied, dispensed with, or regulated
by a specified person or body.
(3) Nothing in this section affects or limits the
Minister’s power to make regulations under section 26.
33. This section and sections 27 to 32, including the
casino regulations, have effect notwithstanding any other
provision of this Act or any other written law other than the
Constitution.
___________

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22 Cap. 9:02 Gambling Prevention
L.R.O. 1/2012
Reg. 20/ 2008
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION
_________________
GAMBLING PREVENTION (CASINO
OPERATIONS PRESCRIBED FEES)
REGULATIONS
made under section 32(a)
Citation.
Fees.
1. These Regulations may be cited as the Gambling
Prevention (Casino Operations Prescribed Fees) Regulations.
2. (a) The Fees in respect of matters
mentioned in column one of the
Schedule is as set out in the
corresponding entry in column 2 of
the Schedule.
(b) All Annual Fees listed in the Schedule
shall be subject to an annual increase
at the rate of inflation of the
Consumer Price index as of the
preceding year as published by the
Bank of Guyana.
__________

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L.R.O. 1/2012
SCHEDULE
FEES ASSOCIATED WITH CASINO LICENCES
____________________
COLUMN 1 COLUMN 2
# DESCRIPTION FEES PAYABLE
1. Application fee for Casino Operator’s
License
2.Annual Casino Operator’s Licence
Fixed Fee
3.Annual Casino Premises Licence Fixed
Fee
4.Application fee for Casino Premises
licence
5.Annual Fees payable by a casino
operator for Gambling machine (per
unit)
6.Annual Fees payable by a casino
operator for gaming tables (per unit)
$5,000,000
$4,000,000
$4,000,000
$5,000,000
$60,000 (per unit)
$200,000 (per
unit)

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24 Cap. 9:02 Gambling Prevention
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L.R.O. 1/2012
Reg. 21 of 2008 GAMBLING PREVENTION (ESTABLISHING
GAMING AUTHORITY) REGULATIONS
made under section 32(a)
Citation.
Establishment
of the
Authority.
Functions of
the Authority.
1. These Regulations may be cited as the Gambling
Prevention (Establishment of Gaming Authority) Regulations.
2. There shall be a body corporate known as the
Gaming Authority (hereinafter called the “Authority”).
3. (1) The Authority shall be the body responsible for
–
(i) the issuance of licences under
section 32 of the Act;
(ii) the monitoring of casino
operations in Guyana;
(iii) the administration of
regulations made under the
Act;
(iv) advising the Minister with
respect to the administration of
the regulations or any other
relevant matter.
(2) The Authority may delegate one or more of its
functions to –
(a) one or more member of the Authority;
or
(b) an employee of the Authority.

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Composition of
the Authority.
Tenure.


Quorum.

Staff.
4. The Authority shall consist of a Chairman and not
less than two other and not more than four other members
appointed by the Minister.
5. (1) a member of the Authority, including the
Chairman, shall hold office in accordance with the terms of
his appointment.
(2) A member of the Authority, including the
Chairman, may resign by notice in writing to the Minister in
accordance with the terms of his appointment.
(3) If the Minister thinks that the Chairman or a
member of the Authority is unable, or unfit or unwilling to
perform his functions, the Minister may terminate the
appointment of the Chairman or member of the Authority.
6. The Authority shall determine the procedure for its
meetings and shall stipulate the quorum and the procedure
and quorum shall not be changed without the prior approval
of the Minister.
7. (1) The Authority may, with the Minister’s consent,
appoint a Chief Executive Officer and other officers and
employees.
(2) The Chief Executive Officer or employee may
resign by notice in writing to the Minister in accordance with
the terms of their appointment.
(3) If the Minister thinks that the Chief Executive
Officer or an employee is unable, or unfit or unwilling to
perform his functions, the Minister may terminate the
appointment of the Chief Executive Officer or other officers or
employees.
(4) Before there is a termination of an appointment
under these Regulations the person holding the appointment
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L.R.O. 1/2012
Fund and
resources of the
Authority.

Financial year.
Application.
Considerations
when
determining
application.
shall be afforded an opportunity of making representations.
8. (1) The Authority shall pay into the Consolidation
Fund all fees and other revenues collected by it.
(2) The Authority shall meet its expenses from
such monies as may be appropriated from time to time by
Parliament for the purposes of the Authority.
(3) The Authority shall determine, with the prior
approval of the Minister, the salary and other remuneration to
be paid to the members of the Authority or its officers and
employees.
9. The financial year of the Authority shall be the
period twelve months ending with the 31st December.
10. (1) A person may apply to the Authority for a
Casino Premises Licence in Form I in Schedule 1.
(2) A person may apply to the Authority for a
Casino Operators Licence in Form II in Schedule 1, provided
that a Casino Premises Licence is in effect for the location
where the applicant intends to operate a casino under a
Casino Operator’s Licence.
11. (1) In considering an application under paragraph
10 the Authority –
(a) shall have regard to the licensing
objectives;
(b) shall have regard to the applicant’s
suitability to carry on the licensed
activities;
(c) shall consider the suitability of any
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[Subsidiary] Gambling Prevention (Establishment of Gaming Authority) Regulations
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Form of licence.
Financial
statements for
inspection and
gaming machine to be used in
connection with the licensed
activities; and
(d) may consider the suitability of the
equipment to be used in connection
with the licensed activities (by
reference, in particular, to any
relevant provision of standards
established by international best
practices);
(e) shall have regard to the hotel ratings
awarded to the location where the
applicant intends to use for casino
operations.
(2) For the purpose of paragraph 11, subparagraph
(1)(b) the Authority may, in particular, have regard to –
(a) the integrity of the applicant, partner,
shareholders, the directors, office
holders of an applicant;
(b) the competence of the applicant;
(c) the financial capability of the
applicant.
12. (a) A licence issued under paragraph 10
shall be in the form in Schedule 2.
(b) A licence issued under paragraph 10
shall be for a period of ten years from
the date of issuance.
13. The holder of a Casino Operator’s Licence shall –

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L.R.O. 1/2012
record keeping.
(a) produce for inspection financial
information as requested by the
Authority relating to the licensed
activities on a quarterly basis;
(b) provide a copy of audited financial
statements of the Casino Operator
_____________
and relating to the licensed activities.
LAWS OF GUYANA
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L.R.O. 1/2012
SCHEDULE 1
FORM 1

Government of Guyana
Application for a Casino Premises Licence (To be typewritten or printed legibly and filled in duplicate)
Section 1: Casino Premises Licence Applicant Information
Name of Company Co. #
Registered Address
Address for Service (in Guyana if different to registered address)
Officer of Applicant: Last Name First Name M.I. Date
Position in Identification (Passport or ID Card No.)
company
Address of Officer
Contact Information: Phone Email Address
TIN No.
Section 2: Operator’s information (if different form Casino Premises
Applicant)
Name of Operator (registered entity or other)
Registered Address
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Contact Person
Contact Information
Location of Gaming Establishment
Section 3: Fees to accompany this application
All amounts stated in GYD.
Description Fees Payable
Application fee for Casino Premises Licence: $5,000,000
Annual fee for Casino Premises Licence: $4,000,000
Section 4: Documents to accompany application (Please tick the box
identifying associated documents submitted with application)
(i) Certificate of Incorporation; Yes No

(ii) Articles of Incorporation; Yes No

(iii) Statement with names of shareholders Yes No
with shareholding%;

(iv) Statutory Declaration that no other Yes No
officer/shareholder has been found
guilty in a Court of Law for offences
related to Casino operations,
embezzlement, laundering or fraud;

(v) Copy of Transport, Certificate of Title or Yes No
Absolute Grant or 99 year lease;

(vi) Police Clearance for Yes No
Directors/shareholders etc.
Declaration and Signature
I ___________________________________ [occupation] of__________________
Please enclose the relevant fees. Fees are payable to the Ministry of Finance.
LAWS OF GUYANA
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[Subsidiary] Gambling Prevention (Establishment of Gaming Authority) Regulations
L.R.O. 1/2012
do certify that the answers contained herein are true and complete and have
been properly authorized by the Company to make this application.
I understand that false or misleading statements or information in this
application may result in the rejection of this application or the revocation of
any Licence issued and criminal charges pursued.
Date Signature
Seal of Company

LAWS OF GUYANA
32 Cap. 9:02 Gambling Prevention
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L.R.O. 1/2012
SCHEDULE 1
FORM II

Government of Guyana
Application for a Casino Operator’s Licence (To be typewritten or printed legibly and filled in duplicate)
SECTION 1: CASINO OPERATOR’S APPLICANT INFORMATION
Name of Company Co. #
Registered Address
Address for Service (in Guyana if different to registered address)
Officer of Applicant: Last Name First Name M.I. Date
Position in Identification (Passport or ID Card No.)
company
Address of Officer
Contact Information: Phone Email Address
TIN No.
SECTION 2: LICENSED CASINO PREMISES INFORMATION
Name of Holder of Casino Premises Licence
Location of Casino Premises
Contact Person
LAWS OF GUYANA
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[Subsidiary] Gambling Prevention (Establishment of Gaming Authority) Regulations
L.R.O. 1/2012
Contact Information Tel. Fax Email
Section 3: FEES TO ACCOMPANY THIS APPLICATION
All amounts stated in GYD.
Description Fees Payable
Application fee for Casino Premises Licence: $5,000,000
Annual fee for Casino Premises Licence: $4,000,000
Annual fees for gaming machines (per unit):
______ Units * $60,000 =______
Annual fees for gaming tables (per unit):
______ Units * $200,000=______
Section 4: DOCUMENTS TO ACCOMPANY APPLICATION(PLEASE TICK THE
BOX IDENTIFYING ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED WITH
APPLICATION)
(i) Certificate of Incorporation; Yes No

(ii) Articles of Incorporation; Yes No

(iii) Statement with names of shareholders Yes No
(iv) Statutory Declaration that no other Yes No
officer/shareholder has been found
guilty in a Court of Law for offences
related to Casino operations,
embezzlement, laundering or fraud;

(v) Police Clearance for Yes No
Directors/shareholders.;

(vi) Bank Statement or proof of financial Yes No
capability.

Declaration and Signature
Please enclose the relevant fees. Fees are payable to the Ministry of Finance.
with shareholding %;
LAWS OF GUYANA
34 Cap. 9:02 Gambling Prevention
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L.R.O. 1/2012
I ___________________________________ [occupation] of__________________
do certify that the answers contained herein are true and complete and have
I understand that false or misleading statements or information in this
application may result in the rejection of this application or the revocation of
any Licence issued and criminal charges pursued.
Date Signature
Seal of Company
been properly authorised by the Company to make this application.
LAWS OF GUYANA
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L.R.O. 1/2012
SCHEDULE 2
FORM II

GOVERNMENT OF GUYANA
GAMING AUTHORITY
CASINO OPERATOR’S/CASINO PREMISES LICENCE
made under section 29(1)
This is to certify that (NAME OF CO.), a duly incorporated
company under the Companies Act with the registered address at
(ADDRESS) has been issued with a casino operator’s or casino
premises Licence (choose one) under the provisions of the Gambling
Prevention (Amendment) Act. This Licence shall be effective from
[date] to [date][10 years].
Activities authorized hereunder include:
Special Conditions (If Applicable)
LICENCE NO._______ of 20__ Signed by:
CHAIRMAN
Dated this_____ day of________ 20__
SEAL OF THE GAMING AUTHORITY
___________________