Sleepin did not prove it’s financially sound to run a casino; company to submit fresh licence

Last Updated on Monday, 7 November 2016, 15:47 by Denis Chabrol

The Guyana Gaming Authority says it has refused Sleepin International Hotel and Casino Inc.a casino licence because that company failed to show that it has the money to run such a gambling operation.

The company has since said that it would be submitting fresh applications with the required information. “The company is currently in the process of accumulating this information and will be submitting new applications along with this information in due course,” Sleepin said in a statement.

The GGA said its four members agreed without disagreement that Sleepin could not issue the licence based on an application made on August 2, 2016 for a Casino Operator’s Licence and a Casino Premises Licence.

“The Authority wishes to state that having received and thoroughly considered the application it unanimously found no evidence upon which it could arrive at a determination that Sleepin International Hotel & Casino Inc. qualifies for the issuance of the licenses applied for, having regard to its failure to provide the Authority with documents evidencing its financial soundness and capability, one of the critical criteria for the granting of such licenses.

The address stated on the application was 252 South Street, Lacytown, Georgetown. Sleepin’s branches are located on Brickdam and Church Street.

The GGA said the absence of proof  that a company has the financial capacity to run a casino is a “grave defect” which results in a refusal of the licences.

Under the chairmanship of Attorney-at-Law, Roysdale Forde; the GGA’s other members are Attorney-at-Law, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, Gregory Vaughn and Retired Lieutenant Colonel of Guyana Defence Force, Christine  King. Chandan- Edmond is a former magistrate and King is also a former Chief Executive Officer of the Ethnic Relations Commission.