Only bingo or cockfighting would be permitted at the carnival, according to Sen. Telena Nelson’s Bill 50.
Guam – Senator Telena Cruz Nelson has introduced a bill, co-authored by Speaker B.J. Cruz, that would ban casino gambling at the Liberation Day Carnival and other fairs on Guam.
A release sent by the senator notes that the fight against casino-type devices has been ongoing for four decades. Sen. Nelson cites a Fiscal Year 2015 Report from the Office of Public Accountability that showed an amount of $32,000 from Liberation Day Carnival gambling activities collected by the government of Guam. Nelson stated “Even if we argue the short-term economic benefits ($32,000), the long-term social costs impacting our community and families are much more significant.” Speaker Cruz, Chairman of Appropriations, has agreed to assist Nelson in offsetting the loss if the bill passes into law.
The democrat lawmaker adds, “Bingo and cockfighting are grounded in our culture.” These are the only two activities authorized in the bill.
You can view Bill 50-34 by clicking on the attachment below.
