Jagdeo: Gov’t to clamp down on gambling apps, outlets

The government will move swiftly to introduce stronger regulations and higher taxes on the gambling industry, particularly targeting online betting and the proliferation of small gaming outlets, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, said on Thursday.

Speaking at his weekly press conference at Freedom House, Dr. Jagdeo described the rapid growth of gambling as a “blossoming social problem” that is “destroying families and creating hardship, especially among single mothers.”

According to Dr. Jagdeo, gambling, initially conceived as a limited form of entertainment to support the tourism and hospitality industry, has spiraled out of control.

“When this started, it was at hotels — we wanted to stimulate another revenue stream for them,” Dr. Jagdeo explained, but added that “today, we have over 400 to 500 outlets in every village, and online gambling is on every phone through apps. It’s now gambling on demand, and it’s facilitated by liberal licensing and taxation policies.”

The former president said gambling has evolved from a recreational activity into a destructive habit affecting thousands of households. He noted that the government continues to receive reports of families being torn apart, with individuals gambling away their salaries, savings, and even household assets.

“The President has been meeting people personally — almost every week we hear sad stories about families breaking up because of gambling,” Dr. Jagdeo said. “We cannot allow this to continue. People are using everything they have, even the money meant for their children, on these apps,” he told reporters.

He added that several religious organisations have also raised alarm about gambling’s impact on communities, calling for urgent state intervention.

Dr. Jagdeo said the administration does not intend to ban gambling entirely but aims to make it a “high-cost activity” through revised taxation and tighter licensing requirements.

“We’re not denying anyone the right to gamble,” he said. “But we want to change the mindset. If people want to gamble, it should be at a licensed location — not in their living rooms, not on their phones, and not in every street corner.”

He noted that the government will soon implement a revised policy framework to regulate betting shops and ensure online gambling platforms operating in Guyana are properly taxed and monitored.

While acknowledging that the gambling industry generates employment and revenue, Dr. Jagdeo said its unchecked growth threatens the social fabric of the country. The new approach seeks to balance economic opportunity with social responsibility.

“This is not about moral policing,” he clarified, noting that “It’s about protecting our families and ensuring that people can accumulate wealth, build homes, and secure their future instead of gambling it all away.”

The announcement comes amid growing public debate over the visibility of gambling outlets and easy access to online betting platforms, including in rural communities where poverty and unemployment remain pressing concerns.