A proposed poll initiative would let voters resolve whether or not bingo halls on Guam can function sure gaming machines, with revenues topic to a 15% tax to assist fund well being care, training and different applications.
Proponent Annmarae Deleon Guerrero Camacho mentioned the initiative is supposed to offer bingo halls a further income stream for charitable causes, not open Guam to casino-style gaming or unrestricted playing.
Ballot initiatives enable residents to instantly suggest and vote on new legal guidelines.
Camacho filed the proposal with the Guam Election Commission on May 8.
It is pending motion from the fee earlier than she will begin gathering petition signatures to put the initiative on the November poll.
Guam legislation usually outlaws digital gaming, resembling poker or slot machines, with just a few exceptions together with pachinko and greyhound or horse racing machines.
Bingo halls could solely be operated by nonprofit organizations that direct proceeds to charitable, academic, spiritual, fraternal, or civic functions.
“The intent is to explore an additional revenue pathway that could support community programs, nonprofit organizations, and public benefit purposes without creating a new tax burden on residents,” Camacho instructed the Pacific Daily News in a press release.
It was particularly necessary, she mentioned, with many nonprofit and community-based organizations dealing with financial stress and diminished funding.
Camacho mentioned she launched the initiative as a resident and voter, and doesn’t characterize any particular gaming operator, vendor, or different non-public group.
“As the process moves forward, different stakeholders may express interest, support, or opposition, but the initiative itself is not being advanced on behalf of any single operator or private group,” she mentioned.
The proposal would enable legally operated bingo halls with not less than 4 years of steady operation to put in digital gaming gadgets.
Devices are outlined as “electronic, computerized, video, mechanical, or digitally controlled device approved by the regulator for use only under this Act and only at a qualified bingo facility.”
“This Act does not authorize a casino, casino-style gaming establishment, table games, roulette, craps, baccarat, blackjack, poker rooms, sportsbook operations, internet gaming, mobile gaming, or offsite gaming,” the proposal states. “Only licensed electronic gaming devices lawfully operated at qualified bingo facilities shall be permitted.”
No one beneath 21 can be allowed to play. Gaming machines can be restricted to 1 gadget per accredited bingo seat.
Revenue from gaming machines can be taxed at 15% and distributed as follows:
- 40% for public training
- 25% for well being care
- 20% for infrastructure
- 10% for village and group applications
- 5% for downside playing prevention and therapy
Licensed operators can be required to put aside 15% of web gaming income for charitable organizations affiliated with bingo operations, in accordance with the proposal.
Camacho instructed the PDN that each one playing prohibitions would stay in place until particularly modified by the proposal.
She cited the Guam Childcare Association as one group that might profit.
“I see this as an opportunity for the Guam Childcare Association to get additional funding for providers in Guam and where funds can also help provide childcare services to those unfortunates that cannot afford the services,” Camacho mentioned.
She mentioned she has already held the ten village conferences required earlier than poll initiative petitions will be circulated. Minutes and video shall be despatched to GEC, she mentioned.
Meetings have been introduced on the Guam Initiative for Charitable Bingo & Community Funding Facebook web page, in accordance with Camacho.
GEC authorized counsel should additionally overview any proposed initiative, create a abstract and a brief title earlier than presenting it to commissioners for approval.
From there, proponents should collect sufficient signatures to put the measure on the overall election poll by a deadline set by GEC.
Signature necessities are primarily based on the variety of registered voters on the time the initiative is filed.
By comparability, one other poll initiative filed by University of Guam professor Ron McNinch will want greater than 5,000 signatures to advance, the Pacific Daily News reported.
His measure, dubbed “The Please Don’t Quit Your Day Jobs Act of 2026,” would slash senator pay to $12,000 a yr and minimize all advantages.
McNinch has mentioned it’s an effort to get “regular people” to run for workplace, as an alternative of the “career Legislature.”