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Guyana’s first casino opens
By Leonard Gildarie
It had all the looks and glamour of a Las Vegas style-setting and the “oohs” and “ahhs” of some media workers said it all.
Guyana’s first ever casino opened its doors last night, employing 130 locals and targeting the growing population of Brazilians and according to management will change the tourism landscape in the country.
No locals will be allowed in to gamble, management of the Princess Casino stressed yesterday during a press conference and tour of the glittering facilities located in the Princess Hotel Guyana, Providence.
Princess Casino’s officials at the press conference yesterday: From left is Oguz Tayanc, Yigit Oktenoglu, Muharrem Kulekci, and Liz Rahaman.
All persons entering will have to be registered and required to produce identification. Hotel guests from overseas and anyone proving that they have foreign documentation of residence abroad will be allowed in, says Princess Group’s Director of Operations-Americas, Oguz Tayanc.
The casino will boast 300 slot machines and 11 table games including Roulette, Blackjack, Poker and Texas Hold’Em which were installed by Guyanese technicians.
Heavy security arrangements have been put in place with a no-weapons policy in train and metal detectors very evident in the hands of alert security guards.
Speaking to reporters in the glitzy casino with the rows of lighted slot machines and games tables acting as a backdrop, Liz Rahaman, Marketing Manager of Princess Hotel Guyana, said that the casino’s opening has been planned to coincide with Guyana’s 40th anniversary celebrations as a Republic.
Last year, the Princess Group acquired Buddy’s Hotel which had been built for Cricket World Cup, rebranding it with the Princess logos with the hope that the casino will nudge the hotel upwards to a four star rating.
The casino, which costs in excess of US$2M, and which faced widespread criticisms from religious and other interest groups before Parliament approved its opening, will make it the 30th one in the Princess Group across the globe.
Noting the government’s and especially the Tourism Ministry’s valuable role in making the facilities available, Tayanc is hoping that additional features of a two-screen movie theatre, six-lane bowling alley, games arcade for the kids and nightclub/lounge will be completed by June.
The official pointed out that the hotel owners had gone beyond the casino and are working to provide a full package of entertainment to the people of Guyana with the new features which will be located in the upper flat of the casino.
Tourists
With thousands of casinos in the region, the Princess Group will be bringing its own clients down in the country over weekends and holidays.
Tayanc, acknowledging yesterday that the country does not have much to offer besides eco-tourism, disclosed that they will be targeting several neighbouring countries including Brazil, by providing packaged tours.
There are plans to bring these tours weekly with tourists flying in Friday night and leaving Sunday night. Of course, these tours will include tapping into the eco-tourism of the country.
Already, a “big group” from Brazil is getting ready to come to Guyana in the next two weeks, he said.
There are thousands of Brazilians living and working in Guyana and the casino may be looking to tap into this market.
The casino has already become part of a satellite for the prestigious World Poker Tournament (WPT).
A group of Russian entertainers are in the country for the opening and they will join with local singers and bands in providing nightly entertainment.
Employment
According to Tayanc, yesterday’s opening saw the direct employment of 130 locals to act as dealers, waitresses and bartenders, and it is the hope that within two months, another 30 persons will be added to the staff complement.
With the opening of the movie-theaters, bowling alley and nightclub, more than 200 persons would have been employed at the facilities, the officials said.
The staffers will have to work shifts as the casino plans to open its doors from noon to 04:00hrs every day.
According to Tayanc, if the casino recovers the US$2M it spent within five years, it would be considered a sound investment.
With the hotel, a seven-year recovery time for its investments would also deem the hotel a good investment.
At the press conference yesterday were Casino Director, Yigit Oktenoglu; General Manager, Muharrem Kulekci and several casino workers.
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Only behind Suriname, French Guiana, and Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) as the smallest country in South America—by population, Guyana stands its tourist-friendly ground with the help of its dense rainforest, Caribbean culture, British colonial architecture, and calypso music. Somehow gambling found its way in Guyana way too early, but—unfortunately—gambling is not as massive as you would expect.
History of Casinos in Guyana
Princess Casino (guyana) Georgetown
Initially, Guyana was three individual regions: Essequibo, Berbice, and Demerara. The Dutch colonized the regions separately in 1616, 1627, and 1752 respectively. In 1796, the British took control of the regions, while the Dutch left in 1814. Guyana was controlled by the British Empire during those years and the administration later united the regions and renamed it the British Guiana in 1831. As a united country, Guyana gained full independence on 26 May 1966. On 23 February 1970, the British Guiana officially became the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.
However, gambling has been in the country even before independence. An executive act known as the Gambling Prevention Act became effective as far back as 1902. The Act has been modified a surprising number of times, and the most recent modification was in 2007.
The 2007 modification resulted in the creation of the Gaming Authority, which is in charge of how casinos are run in Guyana. Gambling is generally unimpressive in Guyana. First, Guyanese natives are not allowed to enter the casinos. Second, the whole country can only have three casinos. Third, there are only two casinos in the whole country.
Summarily, the country is amazing and gambling is historical, but its gambling industry is tiny and governed by strict rules.
Current Gambling Climate
Although Guyana is a pleasant and fascinating country, its gambling scene is nothing to write home about. If you happen to be in Guyana at any time, you can enjoy limited options at the Guyana Princess Hotel and Casino or the Sleepin Hotel and Carnival Casino. Or, alternatively, you can visit online casinos to gamble on the go.
Gambling and casinos are legal, licensed and regulated according to the Gambling Prevention Act and by the Guyana Gaming Authority. Further, Guyana is one of the most inviting countries in the world and the atmosphere is amazing. But, as discussed earlier, gambling is particularly mediocre in Guyana.
Casinos in Guyana by Area
Well, the whole country offers two casinos. So, one might assume that the largest casino — Guyana Princess Hotel and Casino — is located in the country’s capital, Georgetown. In contrast, the casino is located in Providence, a community just 10km away from Georgetown. Guyana Princess Hotel and Casino offers between 250 and 300 gaming machines, and 16 table games.
Meanwhile, the Sleepin Hotel and Carnival Casino is located in Georgetown. Established in 2016, the casino is not as big as the Guyana Princess Hotel and Casino. They currently have just 35 rooms but under renovation, so more rooms and luxury are promised.
Types of Casinos in Guyana
Since there are just two casinos in the country, variety is not so present. However, the Guyana Princess Hotel and Casino offers slot machines, blackjack, roulette, Caribbean stud poker, three-card poker, and some other games and machines. In addition to traditional casino activities, the casino offers Princess Bet — which allows players to bet on sports events (such as football, ice hockey, and cricket). The casino is part of a 4-star hostel in Georgetown with 191 luxury rooms.
The Sleepin Hotel and Carnival Casino, on the other hand, is still new and currently under renovation. They offer blackjack, roulette, slot machines, and poker.
Further, the country does not have a racetrack or racino, but there is a lottery. The Guyana Lottery Company is a lottery provider provided by a Canadian security printing company called the Canadian Bank Note Company. The lottery has headquarters in Lamaha Street of Georgetown. Games such as Lucky 3, Lotto Supa 6, and Daily Millions are provided by the Guyana Lottery Company.
Online gambling, on the other hand, is technically legal but not regulated. Therefore, Guyanese and visitors of Guyana can visit foreign websites to gamble on casino activities, bingo, poker, sports betting, and lottery.
List of Casinos in Guyana
Below is a list of all casinos currently operating in the regions of Guyana.
Guyana Princess Hotel and Casino
Sleepin Hotel and Carnival Casino
Facts About Casinos in Guyana
– In Guyana, the minimum gambling age is 18 years.
– According to the Gambling Prevention Act, Guyana can only have three casinos. Currently, there are two casinos in the country.
– In 2014, Paul James—a prominent Guyanese businessman—sued the Guyana Princess Hotel and Casino to court for allowing locals to enter the casino, which is a breach of the law.
– Guyanese natives are restricted from gambling at casinos, so they have to lodge into the hotels and pretend to be visitors in order to enter the casinos.
Sleepin Hotel And Casino Guyana
– The first casino in Guyana — Guyana Princess Hotel and Casino — was established in 2010. The second casino — Sleepin Hotel and Carnival Casino — was established in 2016.
Sleepin International Hotel And Casino Guyana
– Upon launch, the Guyana Princess Hotel and Casino employed 130 Guyanese.
– In Guyana, a casino is required to be housed in hotels or resorts with 150 or more rooms.
– The official language of Guyana is English. Additionally, Carib, Spanish, and Portuguese are popular.