THE Guyana Gaming Authority Bill, which seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework to regulate gambling activities while promoting responsible gaming, was on Monday presented in the National Assembly, paving the way for long-awaited reforms that are aimed at addressing the growing social impact of unregulated betting across the country.
Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Anil Nandlall tabled the Gaming Authority Bill of 2026 (Bill No. 12 of 2026), which was read for the first time in the National Assembly.
In presenting the legislation, Nandlall said the bill is intended to provide for the licensing, regulation, supervision, taxation and control of gaming, betting and wagering activities in Guyana.
According to the Attorney General, the proposed legislation will strengthen the regulatory framework governing the gaming sector by empowering the Guyana Gaming Authority with enhanced oversight of casinos, gaming lounges, betting shops, betting shop agents, remote gaming platforms and simulcast horse racing.
The bill also provides for the regulation of gaming equipment, the establishment of a Responsible Gaming Fund, the implementation of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism obligations within the gaming sector, as well as administrative penalties and enforcement measures for breaches of the law.
The tabling of the legislation comes months after the government announced plans to overhaul the country’s gambling regime amid growing concerns over the rapid expansion of betting operations, particularly through mobile applications and neighbourhood gaming outlets.
In October last year, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo warned that gambling had evolved far beyond its original purpose of supporting the hotel industry, and had become a widespread social concern affecting households across Guyana.
He noted that while casino gambling was initially confined to hotels meeting strict licensing requirements, the sector has since expanded into hundreds of betting outlets, with online applications making gambling readily accessible from virtually anywhere.
The Vice President had said the ease of access to gambling was contributing to financial hardship for many families, with reports of parents spending household income and money intended for their children on betting activities.
The government has maintained that while it does not intend to prohibit gambling, it wants the sector to operate under a much stricter regulatory and taxation framework that discourages excessive gambling while ensuring proper oversight.
A significant factor behind the move to strengthen the legal framework has been sustained advocacy from Guyana’s religious community, which has repeatedly urged the administration to address the growing social consequences of gambling.
Religious organisations have expressed concern over the impact of gambling on families, arguing that addiction has contributed to financial instability, strained relationships and wider social challenges. Their lobbying, coupled with mounting public concerns, prompted the government to accelerate plans for comprehensive legislative reform.
The proposed Gaming Authority Bill is expected to modernise the country’s regulatory framework by introducing clear licensing standards, stronger oversight, responsible gaming measures and enhanced safeguards against financial crimes, while ensuring the industry operates in a more accountable and socially responsible manner.