Nigel Hinds should know a little knowledge is a dangerous thing

Oct 19, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
The back and forth in the media as it relates to the issue of the Gaming Authority and Sleepin International Hotel and Casino Inc. has caught my attention, leading me to do some extensive research on the issue. Having read all the articles published and conducting my own research, I am particularly intrigued by the letters published in the newspapers in the name of Mr. Nigel Hinds, who I am aware, is a Chartered Accountant and it is clear that the agenda of Mr. Hinds has been to discredit the Gaming Authority
Firstly, in his letter published in Stabroek News on the 15th September 2017, he refers to a statement that he said was attributed to Mr. Roysdale Forde, Chairman of the Gaming Authority in a Kaiteur News article. The article in fact did not state that Mr. Forde ever made such a statement. The fact that Mr. Hinds is prepared to engage in such open deceit is not surprising, since in my research I have discovered that Mr. Hinds is the Accountant for Sleepin International Hotel and Casino Inc.
Mr. Hinds as an Accountant and a professional ought to seek to limit his public displays of ignorance, but again demonstrates his absence of knowledge of the Gambling Prevention Act or the Anti – Money Laundering legislation. There is apparently some sort of “moron” in the room and it’s definitely not the Gambling Prevention Act since in its preamble, The Gambling Prevention Act Cap 9:02 clearly states “An Act for the suppression of Common Gaming Houses and Gambling, and of Lotteries of a public nature, or to which the public has or may have access.” The express purpose of the Act was not to licence gambling.
Section 29A(1) of the Anti- Money Laundering Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Amendment Act # 15 of 2016 substitutes for Section 29 (1) of the Gambling Prevention Act Cap 9:02 the following and states:
“Before issuing a licence under section 29, the Gaming Authority shall conduct an investigation and make inquiries as it deems necessary to determine whether the applicant is fit and proper to be granted a licence under this Act, and in conducting such investigation and inquiries , the Gaming Authority shall have regard to-
(a) The honesty, integrity and reputation of the applicant, partner, shareholder, director or beneficial owner of a significant or controlling interest or office holder of the applicant;
(b) The competence and capability of the applicant ;
(c) The financial soundness and financial capability of the applicant;
(d) The background of the applicant; and
(e) Such other matters as the Authority deems appropriate.
(2) In assessing the fit and proper criteria in subsection (1) (a) to (e) above, the Gaming Authority may take into account all appropriate factors including but not limited to, whether the applicant…………”.
At this juncture I would advise that Mr. Hinds do himself the favour of becoming familiar with the full content and context of Section 29A before pronouncing on matters clearly outside of his grasp. I wonder whether Clifton Bacchus and his associates are not applicant, partners, shareholders, directors or beneficial owners of a significant or controlling interest or office holder of the applicant of the Sleepin International Hotel and Casino Inc.? Mr. Hinds is railing against the request of the Gaming Authority for his client Sleepin International Hotel and Casino Inc. to have its Directors submit their Tax returns.
Is he afraid that the accounts set out in the Application and included amongst the documents submitted to the Authority would be at substantial variance? Also is Mr. Hinds concerned about what this would mean professionally for him? Further, Mr. Hinds’ recklessness and disposition not to seek to confirm his statements is indeed remarkable.
A simple call to the Financial Intelligence Unit and or the office of the Ministry of Finance would easily confirm the Appointment of the Gaming Authority as I have done. He turns his attention next to the issue of the Guyana Lottery Company and not Commission as he so erroneously states. His statements in this regard are equally and now characteristically vague and bizarre. As in other instances, there is a blindness to the legal operations of the Guyana Lottery Company, which functions as the agent of the
(Continued on page 6)

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