Princess Hotel’s casino officially opens for business
THE first ever casino to become operational in Guyana, constructed at a cost of approximately US$2M, was yesterday declared open at the Princess Hotel, with management boasting of having created employment for some 130 Guyanese.
The casino, part of the former Buddy’s hotel, at Providence, on the lower East Bank Demerara, boasts 300 slot machines, 11 gaming tables, seven card games (black jack and poker) and two ‘Texas Holdem’ tables, all of which were installed by Guyanese information technology technicians.
Over the past few months, the approximately 130 employees underwent the required training in casino operations, and according to Director of Operations, Mr. Oguz Tayanc, that number will rise to between 160 and 200, once the entertainment section becomes fully functional.
Speaking with reporters at the hotel yesterday, Tayanc related that the casino will be operated from noon until 4:00am, and that security measures will be in place as management will be checking “every single person” entering to participate in activities at the casino. He reiterated that no weapons will be allowed inside, and that it will be a smoke-free environment.
Taynac hinted that as part of reinvesting in Guyana once revenue is recovered, another hotel may be constructed on a site that has not been decided upon as yet. He noted that it will take management some five years to recover revenue for the casino, and about seven for the entire hotel.
Giving some background information to the media, Tayanc said from April 1 last year, management has been doing a lot of renovations, both on the hotel and on setting up the casino.
Tayanc said the government institutions have been very, very helpful to management, and that he appreciates all that the Tourism Ministry especially is doing.
He offered that the plan is to have everything completed by the end of June, while noting that the casino was going to be open last night, with management abiding by all the rules as required by legislation.
Tayanc further explained that locals will not be admitted inside the casino as the legislation states that “no person other than workers and guests of the hotel (or resort) shall be admitted to the casino.”
Only foreigners residing here will be allowed in, as long as they can prove they are not Guyanese, he said. A foreigner staying at another hotel will be allowed in, he said.
“Guyana doesn’t have a lot to offer besides eco-tourism so we will try to bring a lot of tourists from the neighbouring countries. We will lead them to see the eco-tourism industry and participate in such,” he offered. In two weeks’ time, he said, a big entertainment group will be coming from Brazil.
Just about a year ago, the Princess Group acquired the magnificent six-storey hotel of which this casino is a part, and work on the hotel and entertainment centre is still ongoing.
The casino is just one part of an entire entertainment centre. On the upper floor of this building, management is in the process of setting up a six-lane bowling alley, an international lounge, two cinemas that are equipped with ultra modern facilities and arcade for children.
To ensure that their guests are comfortable, a lot of infrastructural works are being done to enhance all rooms, the gym, conference hall, gazebo gardens, restaurant, etc.
Also present at yesterday’s opening ceremony were the Casino Director, Mr. Yigit Oktenoglu; General Manager, Mr. Muharrem Kulekci, and Marketing Manager, Ms Liz Rahaman.