Gambling Prohibited At Liberation Festivities

Sun, Jun 11, 2017

Casino and gambling operations were not part of Liberation festivities this year on Guam, since Governor Eddie Calvo let an anti-gambling bill lapse into law. Passed in a unanimous vote, the measure was designed to fight gambling addiction. The Mayors' Council of Guam opposed it, stating casino revenue helped fund Liberation activities.

Guam Governor Eddie Calvo allowed an anti-gambling bill to lapse into law without signing it. As a result, casino and gambling operations at the annual Liberation Carnival, which started June 2, will be prohibited at the carnival and village fiestas.

The bill, which passed in a unanimous vote on May 26, repeals a section of Guam law that has allowed the Mayors’ Council of Guam and the nonprofit Liberation Historical Society to operate gambling during fairs and fiestas. Freshman Senator Telena Nelson and Speaker Benjamin Cruz sponsored the legislation to fight gambling addiction on island.

The Mayors’ Council criticized the measure, pointing out revenue from the casino has provided significant funding for Liberation activities. Instead, mayors will work with the Guam Economic Development Authority and Guam Visitors Bureau to help fund Liberation festivities.

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