After a three year ban on gambling concessions at Guam’s annual Liberation Day carnival, Governor Felix Camacho has decided that casinos will return to the island. The festival, to run 30 June to 30 July, is principally a family event and fund raiser but each year since the ban on casinos the event has failed to raise money – there remains a US$30,000 debt from last year.

The casino will be operated in three offices behind the gates of the Paseo Stadium, away from the main carnival ground on the stadium parking lot. The Guam Museum Foundation initiated the move to run a casino this year by its proposal to the Liberation Committee that benefits would go to the new Guam museum, the Guam Baseball Federation and the Angel Santos Memorial Park.

Bids to operate the casino concession can be submitted until Friday, 16th June. The minimum price to be tendered is US$300,000 and in previous years as much as US$500,000 has been bid. The Liberation Committee will receive at least US$180,000, allowing it to repay debt, purchase school textbooks and donate money to non-profit organizations.

It would seem that in Guam, as in most places, people will donate to good causes but if there is a gamble involved and the chance of a win they will dig much deeper into their pockets. Hotel operators and other pro-gambling lobbies in Guam have made several attempts to get casino legislation onto the ballot, so far without success. A month of gaming entertainment, even with the tight restrictions to be imposed, is sure to hit the jackpot for operator and fund raisers alike. (E-06.13.06)

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