Extensive gambling ban proposed – Pacific Daily News

Steve Limtiaco , slimtiaco@guampdn.com 6:57 p.m. ChT March 23, 2017

The building, that formerly housed the Liberation Day carnival casino operations, as seen on Oct. 21, 2016. Games of chance continue to be held at the site, during specific days and times, in celebration of village fiestas, according to signage posted on the building doors.(Photo: Rick Cruz/PDN)

Casino-style gambling and related devices should be banned entirely on Guam, including at the annual Liberation Day Carnival and village fiestas, according to a bill introduced Wednesday by Sen. Telena Nelson, D-Dededo.

The color game and the dice game beto beto,typically found at the Liberation Carnival, but not in the casino,would not be affected by the proposed ban, according to the speakers office, because the bill specifically targets the ability to conduct casino-style gambling.

Bingo, lotteries and cockfighting also would continue to be allowed.

Guam law currently allows all types of gambling at the carnival, and during village fiestas, with authorization from the governor. Nelsons bill would eliminate the governors authority to authorize gambling at those events.

Sen. Telena Nelson is announced as the 34th Guam Legislature's majority whip at the Guam Legislature inHagtaon Dec. 26, 2016.(Photo: Frank San Nicolas/PDN)

We are closing the loophole in the law that permits casino gambling at fairs and carnivals. Nelson said in a written statement, announcing her bill. Public offices are becoming dependent on profits from professionally managed and equipped gambling enterprises at the Liberation Carnival fair grounds that are otherwise prohibited from operating under the laws of Guam.

Speaker Benjamin Cruz, D-Tumon, who co-sponsored the bill, said, The people of Guam have decisively rejected casino-style gambling at the voting booth five times since the year 2000. Its time our laws honestly reflect that fact.

Cruz, a former family court judge in the Superior Court of Guam, said he has witnessed the impact of gambling addiction.

Until you look in the eyes of a child who is forced to sell herself to feed her little brother because her mother gambled away her paycheck, dont tell me addictive gambling is a victimless act, Cruz said.

The casino at the Liberation Carnival fairgrounds at Tiyan is being used by mayors for their village fiestas, with the governors permission, months after the summer carnival ended.

Sen. Mike San Nicolas, D-Dededo, in February introduced a bill to prevent the casino from being used outside of the Liberation Carnival by requiring all fiesta-related gambling to be conducted within the village celebrating the event.

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Extensive gambling ban proposed - Pacific Daily News